Impact on the Plains

Celebrating nonprofits with bright ideas

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 Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2024. Read the event press release here.

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THE PROCESS

APPLY

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

REVIEW

Applications are reviewed and narrowed down to the top contenders.

PITCH

Finalists pitch their program to the “Shark Tank” panel of community leaders at the live, exclusive event.

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.

2024 WINNERS

FIRST PLACE: $40,000

Entrepreneur Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM) Academy

Provides no-cost, after-school programming to improve test scores and learning abilities for Spaght Elementary School students who are not currently meeting Kansas grade-level benchmarks

SECOND PLACE: $30,000
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD: $5,000

Hope Rising

Seeks to reduce barriers that prohibit survivors of sexual violence or domestic abuse from seeking care through a comprehensive, trauma-informed support system

THIRD PLACE: $20,000

Grown Your Own Farm

Provides residents with plants, seeds and materials to produce their own food program to amplify the positive benefits of neighborhood-based food systems