Impact on the Plains

Impact on the Plains promotes an entrepreneurial ethos in the nonprofit ecosystem to transform how complex social issues are addressed in the United Way’s focus areas of health, education, financial stability and basic needs. Community leaders, serving as judges, narrow nonprofit applications down to the best of the best, who pitch their solutions in front of a live audience. Winners walk away with an investment to support scaling their programs and transform their work to help our neighbors achieve their potential.

United Way awarded $105,000 in grants to four nonprofit programs to transform how social issues at a live event on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. Read the event press release here or scroll down to meet this year’s winners.

Group photo of the 2025 Impact on the Plains recipients and judges.

THE PROCESS

Icon of a calendar.
APPLY

Nonprofits submit applications with their innovative approach to a complex social issue.

Icon of a four star review.
REVIEW

Applications are narrowed down to the top four proposals.

Icon of a megaphone for pitch presentations.
PITCH

Four finalists make their pitch to a “Shark Tank” panel of community leaders at a live, exclusive event.

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GAME CHANGERS ANNOUNCED

The event culminates with the judges announcing the winner and runners-up at the conclusion of the event. A special People’s Choice Award is given to one finalist.

2025 WINNERS

FIRST PLACE: $40,000
Cairn Health logo.
Charitable Pharmacy

Provides lower-cost or free prescription medications to those without insurance to help them improve and maintain their health.

SECOND PLACE: $30,000
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD RECIPIENT: $5,000
The Pando Initiative logo.
Realidad U

Provides bilingual financial education through a hands-on experience that prepares students for real-life budget decisions adults navigate.

THIRD PLACE: $20,000
CarePortal logo.
GO Project: CarePortal

Leverages an online platform to match the unique tangible needs of children and families with caring church communities to help stabilize households.

FOURTH PLACE: $10,000
Child Development Network

Expands access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education by removing financial and capacity barriers through a shared employer-employee cost model.

2025 EVENT SPONSORS

Host Sponsor:
Logo for Textron Aviation.
Premier Sponsor:
Fidelity Bank logo.
Bar Sponsor:
Cordell Wealth Management logo.
People’s Choice Award Sponsor:
Hutton logo.
Print Sponsor:
Nonprofit Champions:
Ascension Via Christi logo.
PB Hoidale logo.
Community Investors:

Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, L.C.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas

Camarena Adelante Foundation

Commerce Bank

Fidelity Bank

Kansas Health Foundation

Table Sponsors:

6 Meridian

Bank of America

Cargill

Credit Union of America

Delta Dental of Kansas

Eby Construction

Emprise Bank

Ernst & Young

ForvisMazars

Greater Wichita Partnership & Downtown Development

IMA Financial

INTRUST Bank

Kansas Leadership Center

McCownGordon Construction

Mid-Continent Instruments & Avionics

Mutual of America

NWI Aerostructures

The Pando Initiative

Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #29

Wichita State University

WSU Admissions Office

WSU Barton School of Business

WSU Tech

QUESTIONS?

Abel Frederic
Abel FredericVice President of Community Impact
(316) 267-1321, ext. 4211
Logan Bradshaw
Logan BradshawDirector of Community Impact
(316) 267-1321, ext. 4210
Sarah Crick Milligan
Sarah Crick MilliganDirector of Community Impact
(316) 267-1321, ext. 4212
Matt Lowe
Matt LoweDirector of Community Impact
(316) 267-1321, ext. 4233
Jose Trejo
Jose TrejoResource Coordinator
(316) 267-1321, ext. 4234