$105,000 will be awarded by United Way of the Plains on Sept. 12

This is the fourth year the Impact on the Plains social innovation competition will be held to celebrate and reward innovative ideas among area nonprofits

WICHITA, Kan., Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 — United Way of the Plains will award up to $105,000 in grants to four entrepreneurial nonprofit programs at the conclusion of the annual Impact on the Plains competition. With a goal of enhancing bold solutions in areas where the current needs are most critical, the event will be held on Thursday, Sept.12, at the Textron Activity Center in east Wichita. Finalists will make their pitch at the live event to a “Shark Tank” judging panel made up of community leaders.

Pete Najera, United Way of the Plains President and CEO, encourages area nonprofits to submit their applications with their innovative ideas by noon on Friday, Aug. 23. “The application process is simple, and our Community Impact managers are available to answer questions about the guidelines and event. This is a unique social innovation competition that celebrates advances in the way nonprofits meet the needs of vulnerable populations in our community. It also increases the visibility of the impactful work our area nonprofits are undertaking.”

COMPETITION TIMELINE AND DETAILS

• Thursday, Aug. 1
  Online application portal opens at unitedwayplains.org/impact-application.
• Friday, Aug. 23
  Application portal closes at noon and community judges begin the review process.
• Monday, Sept. 2
  Finalists announced.
• Thursday, Sept. 12
  During the live ticketed event, a representative from each finalist organization will make a short presentation about how new funding could help them scale their innovative program. A panel of community leaders, acting as judges, will select a grand prize winner. The final decisions of the judges will be announced at the conclusion of the event. Successful funding recipients will receive a one-time grant that must be utilized by Dec. 31, 2025.

COMPETITION GUIDELINES

• Innovative programs that have never received funding from United Way of the Plains and programs that have received an investment of less than $25,000 from United Way of the Plains since August 31, 2023, are invited to apply.
• Each nonprofit is limited to one program submission for the competition.
• Proof of 501(c)(3) status is required.
• Program must be located within the United Way of the Plains service area (Sedgwick, Barber, Butler, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Pratt, Reno and Sumner counties).
• Programs must fall within the realm of support by United Way. United Way of the Plains supports social services and health and human service needs. Typically, United Way does not support grants to individuals, arts/culture organizations, animal services, capital needs or environmental concerns.
• If no awards are made, funding will be invested in the next year.

2024 event sponsors include Textron Aviation, Hutton, Cordell Wealth Management and Spirit AeroSystems. Tickets to attend this unique event can be purchased online at UnitedWayPlains.org/TicketsForImpact. Businesses interested in event and table sponsorship opportunities should visit UnitedWayPlains.org/InForImpact or contact Gwen Kochman, United Way Vice President of Philanthropy, at gkochman@unitedwayplains.org or 316-267-1321, ext. 4123.

The news release about 2023 winners is available in the newsroom on the United Way of the Plains website. Check unitedwayplains.org/impact for more guidelines, the application and additional information.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Angie Prather, Vice President of Marketing and Chief Community Engagement Officer, (316) 267-1321, aprather@unitedwayplains.org

United Way of the Plains is a nonprofit and for-impact organization that focuses on health, education, financial stability and basic needs – the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Our mission is to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas. Follow us on these social media channels: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.