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All Hands In

Community Solutions Grant

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$5,000 & $10,000 grants to catalyze
short-term NetWorked action projects
Announcing the grant award-winning projects

The NetWorked Community Solutions Grant is a pilot project by NetWork Kansas with funding support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, the Kansas Health Foundation

and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

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THE GRANT OPPORTUNITY

The NetWorked Community Solutions Grant makes funding available

to encourage collaboration among NetWorked participants

through cross-sector teambuilding and collective action.

The NetWorked Community Solutions Grant is a pilot project by NetWork Kansas with funding support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, the Kansas Health Foundation and the Kauffman Foundation.

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APPLICATION TIMELINE
Applications open
November 1, 2022 at 8 a.m CT

Applications close
November 28, 2022 at 5 p.m. CT

Full timeline included below in participation terms section.
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This grant opportunity is open to Kansas-based organizations that participate in NetWorked. Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. 

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Read below for the full terms of participation.

Application Timeline
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Complete applications will include ALL of the following documents. The project application can accept document uploads. 

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Experiencing upload difficulties? - Lead applicants may request a secure link from christina@cmlcollective.com to upload documents to Dropbox in instances of technical difficulties attempting to upload through this application portal.

Application documents submitted by secure link must be submitted within the same day of this application being submitted to be considered a complete application.

  • Grant application (Google Form). Only electronic forms are accepted.

CLICK HERE to preview blank form. Hardcopy forms will not be accepted.​

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  • Budget Template (Excel Form)

CLICK HERE to access blank template.

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  • W9 - (Fillable Adobe PDF) To be submitted by FOR-PROFIT lead applicants only. 

CLICK HERE to access blank form.

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  • ACH Authorization Form - (Fillable MS Word Doc)

CLICK HERE to access blank form.

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  • Marketing Release Form - (Fillable MS Word Doc)

CLICK HERE to access blank form.

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APPLY
Participation Terms
Application Documents
PARTICIPATION TERMS
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WHO CAN APPLY?

Grant applications will be accepted from Kansas-based NetWorked project teams that have representation from at least three different sectors found below:

  • Community Development Organizations
  • Community Foundations
  • Economic Development Organizations
  • Entrepreneurship Support Organizations
  • Health Foundations
  • Health Organizations
  • Minority-Led Organizations
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Search for eligible Kansas-based NetWorked project team members.

  • Click here for a list of eligible Kansas-based NetWorked participant organizations and contacts.

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Project teams must identify a lead organization to make application on the project team's behalf. In the instance of a successful application, the lead organization will receive the grant funds to manage on behalf of the project team. As such, the lead organization for the project team must be legally-structured as one of the following entity types:

  • Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or 501(c)(6) as defined by the IRS (except churches, political organizations or individuals acting as a for-profit or nonprofit organization)

  • For-profit businesses in good standing with the Kansas Secretary of State's Office

  • Government entities with Federal Employer Identification Number

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Project teams are required to present their projects and findings at the NetWorked for Change Conference, scheduled for May 25, 2023 at the Hyatt Wichita.

  • Project teams are required to have at least one in-person presenter at the conference; a hybrid option may be available for additional project team members who may be unable to travel (limit: three maximum presenters per team)

  • Conference registration will be waived for in-person project team presenters (limit: three maximum presenters per team)

  • Project teams with team members who reside outside of Sedgwick County may apply for a travel stipend from NetWork Kansas, which will reimburse allowable transportation and lodging expenses related to conference attendance. A reimbursement form will be provided with downloadable grant documents for applicable awardees to complete and submit to NetWorked

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ARE MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS PER ORGANIZATION OR PROJECT TEAM ALLOWED?

  • No; organizations may only participate on one project team

  • Individuals cannot serve on more than one project team

  • Project teams should only submit one project during the application period

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CAN ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATE AS A LEAD APPLICANT ON MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS?

No; organizations serving as the lead applicant may only serve as lead applicant on one project team

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WHAT ARE PROJECT TEAM ROLES?

The project team is responsible for collaborating on the grant application and should plan to:

  • Identify a common agenda that is aligned with the chosen, approved NetWorked Impact Area (allowable impact areas for this grant application are below)

  • Determine a shared activity or shared activities that support the common agenda and represent an eligible project type (allowable project types for this grant application are below)

  • Create a work plan with measurable goals

  • Execute the work plan

  • Use grant funding as intended and as communicated through the grant application, work plan and project budget

  • Report learning, activity and/or impact through monthly reports and a final report

  • Share findings at the NetWorked for Change Conference

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The primary project team roles include:

Lead Applicant

  • Agrees to be identified and named as the lead applicant on the grant application for the project team

  • Accepts grant funds into the lead applicant's organization to be used for the intended project

  • Agrees to use the grant funds for the intended project

  • Manages the project budget by paying and tracking project expenses

  • Maintains accurate project budget statements

  • Collects project-related invoices, receipts and other financial documents on behalf of the project team

  • Submits accurate and timely financial information in the monthly project report template

  • Serves as the point of contact for financial-related inquiries that are routed to the project team by NetWorked

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Project Coordinator

  • Serves as the primary point of contact for project-related inquiries that are routed to the project team by NetWorked

  • Is responsible for overseeing project planning and logistics

  • Coordinates suppliers/vendors/volunteers/speakers, as applicable, for the project team

  • Manages project timelines, due dates and deadlines to ensure project is efficiently implemented

  • Oversees internal and external project-related communication for the project team

  • Oversees the coordination of marketing and external project-related communication

  • Leads trouble-shooting for project-related challenges

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Reporter 

  • Oversees data collection and reporting (i.e. participant reach, demographics, etc.)

  • Serves as the primary monthly report writer for the team

  • Gathers information from project team members and the lead applicant to enter into the monthly project team report and the final project team report

  • Submits complete project team reports monthly and the final project team report

  • Organizes project team meeting agendas

  • Captures project team meeting minutes

  • Supports the project coordinator when collecting information for internal and external project-related communication 

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Project teams may identify additional roles within the grant application, as applicable.

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WHAT ARE ELIGIBLE PROJECT TYPES?

Projects may be brand-new efforts or, with full agreement from the entire project team, can advance an existing project that meets the eligibility criteria within the NetWorked impact area and project type.

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Project teams will select ONE of the following NetWorked impact areas: 

  • Entrepreneurship Support - defined as projects that are focused on serving entrepreneurs, business owners and/or leaders of social enterprises (not new business starts)

  • Health and Health Equity - defined as projects that are focused on improving active living, healthy eating, tobacco prevention or reducing disparities in access to care

  • Community Development - defined as projects that are focused on helping people and/or groups to improve neighborhoods and/or public spaces

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Project teams will select ONE of the following project types within their chosen impact area:

  • Community Input – A surveying or community conversation project to solicit public input on a matter relevant to the selected impact area

  • Community Outreach – An event that involves gathering the public to discuss and engage in activities that are relevant to the selected impact area

  • Community Service - A project that engages volunteers and others to benefit an effort, initiative or goal relevant to the selected impact area

  • Marketing - digital and/or hardcopy campaigns to educate the public on a matter relevant to the selected impact area

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Project teams will submit a project plan and budget as part of the application.

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WHAT ARE INELIGIBLE PROJECT TYPES?

Project types that are not one of the four eligible project types will be considered ineligible.

 

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HOW WILL PROJECTS BE SELECTED FOR FUNDING?

Applications that are complete and that meet eligibility criteria will be considered for funding in the order received until grant dollars are exhausted

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WHAT GUIDANCE WILL BE USED TO ANALYZE APPLICATIONS?

NetWorked Community Solution Grant applications will be analyzed for:

  • Eligibility - The project and its team members must meet the grant eligibility requirements

  • Completeness - The grant applications are submitted in full; incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered for funding; applications may not be edited once they are submitted

  • Project plan - The project should reflect the specified impact area with clear approaches, success indicators and implementation processes to better ensure success

  • Proposal quality - The project is assessed for planning and programmatic quality with particular emphasis on projects with actions, methods or approaches deemed as innovative, creative and achievable

  • Budget - The budget narrative clearly describes and justifies project costs

  • Presentation - The project team commits to presenting in-person at the NetWorked for Change conference

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HOW MUCH IN FUNDING IS AVAILABLE PER PROJECT?

Eligible and complete applications will be worked in the order received until funding is exhausted.

  • The entire grant funding pool is $100,000

  • Project teams may apply for either $5,000 or $10,000 grants in support of their proposed project

  • No other funding amounts may be requested or awarded

  • Matching funds are not required for this grant fund

  • Administrative expenses may not exceed 25 percent of the grant award

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WHAT IS THE FUNDING PERIOD?

  • Grant funding is designed to be for short-term usage

  • Grant funding will be disbursed by December 30, 2022

  • Grant projects must be performed by May 25, 2023 with grant reporting concluding June 30, 2023

  • No grant activities may occur following June 30, 2023

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WHAT ARE ALLOWABLE EXPENSES?

NetWorked Community Solution grants are designed for short-term needs and may include covering expenses related to: 

  • Convening support – venue fees, refreshments

  • Curriculum, books

  • Engagement incentives - gift cards, gas cards, swag - branded t-shirts, pens, cups, mugs and other promotional materials

  • Paid advertising campaigns – social media, radio, internet, mobile, etc.

  • Postage - Stamps, envelopes

  • Printing - postcards, flyers, posters, banners, brochures, etc.

  • Short-term staffing support for projects – stipends, honorariums, facilitators

  • Software/technology for action projects– public engagement tools (i.e. Telephone Town Halls, surveys, pop-up kiosks, etc.)

  • Supplies - Office supplies, equipment

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WHAT ARE INELIGIBLE EXPENSES?

Ineligible funding expenses include:

  • Purchased Vehicles

  • Contributions to capital campaigns

  • Operating deficits or retirement of debt

  • Construction projects, real estate acquisitions 

  • Endowments

  • Grants to individuals

  • Annual fund drives

  • Fundraising events

  • Political activities, lobbying and/or Candidate endorsements

  • Religious activities

  • Refinancing existing debt

  • Acquisition of or holding passive investments such as commercial real
    estate or purchasing securities

  • Repayment of delinquent federal or state income taxes

  • Repayment of taxes held in trust or escrow, e.g., payroll or sales taxes

  • Increasing a pool of funds that generates tax credits

  • Financing non-grant purposes, and / or financing costs other than what
    is described in the grant application

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WHAT IS THE APPLICATION TIMELINE?

  • October 31, 2022 | 1 p.m. CT - Grant is announced at the October NetWorked for Change convening

  • November 1, 2022 | 8 a.m. CT - Application Opens

  • November 7, 2022 | 10 a.m.-11 a.m. CT - Grant Q&A session (Optional to attend). CLICK HERE to view the convening.

  • November 8, 2022 | By Noon CT - Answers to grant questions posted on NetWorked website. Posted above and HERE.

  • November 28, 2022  | 5 p.m. CT - Application Closes

  • December 15, 2022 | 8 a.m. CT - Grant awards announced on NetWorked website and by email

  • December 30, 2022 | Funding is awarded

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WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR PROJECT TEAMS TO WORK IF THEIR GRANT APPLICATION IS APPROVED?

  • December 15, 2022 | 8 a.m. CT - Grant awards announced on NetWorked website and by email

  • December 30, 2022 | Funding is awarded

  • December 30, 2022-May 25, 2023 | Project teams perform projects

  • May 25, 2023 | Project teams present project and findings at the NetWorked for Change conference at the Hyatt in Wichita, KS

  • May 25, 2023-June 30, 2023 | Project teams write and submit final report to NetWorked using provided template

  • June 30, 2023 at Noon CT | Project teams must submit final report to NetWorked using provided template

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WHAT SHOULD PROJECT TEAMS DO IF THEY DON'T EXPEND ALL GRANT FUNDING BY JUNE 30, 2023?

  • Project teams are expected to expend all awarded grant funds

  • If more than $1,000 is remaining in unused funds by May 25, 2023, the project team is expected to return funds to NetWork Kansas

  • Funds may be returned by June 30, 2023 by a check made payable to the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship dba NetWork Kansas or, through an email request for an ACH debit initiated by NetWork Kansas; additional details to follow

  • Remaining funds of $999 or less, may remain with the project team and is not expected to be returned to NetWorked

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WHAT IS THE APPLICATION FORMAT?

  • The grant application is presented in English as an electronic application using Google technology

  • In addition to short answer, paragraph answer and multiple choice formats, the application will require document uploads

  • Hardcopy grant applications will not be accepted

  • NetWorked recommends accessing the hardcopy preview application, completing the responses in MS Word and transitioning final responses into the electronic application

  • NetWorked is not responsible for application errors resulting from difficulties with the Google platform

  • Incomplete, ineligible and/or denied applications may not be edited or resubmitted

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HOW WILL GRANTS BE AWARDED?

  • Grants will be awarded by NetWork Kansas through ACH deposits 

  • Grant award decisions are final

  • The lead applicant organization will receive the grant award on behalf of the project team

  • Lead applicant and project teams will receive an Intent to Grant Award Letter and must opt-in to receive grant funds

  • The Intent to Grant Award Letter may have additional data collection needs; please follow directions completely 

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WHAT ARE GRANT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS?

Awarded project teams will be required to:

  • Perform project planning and implementation

  • Submit monthly reports to NetWorked using an electronic reporting template that will be provided to awardees

  • Present projects and findings, in-person, at the NetWorked for Change conference

  • Submit a final project report by June 30, 2023 using an electronic reporting template that will be provided to awardees to conclude the project

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WILL FUTURE GRANTS BE AVAILABLE THROUGH NETWORKED?

  • The NetWorked Community Solutions Grant is a pilot

  • Future grant initiatives will be considered but are not guaranteed

FAQs

Because grants are competitive, neither NetWorked, NetWork Kansas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield nor Kansas Health Foundation staff are able to have individual conversations concerning the grant with prospective applicants.

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