Opportunity on the Plains
Opportunity on the Plains is the largest, annual investment program from United Way of the Plains to help meet the most pressing needs in our community. We look for partners who want to work collectively to advance the common good in south central Kansas.
Opportunity on the Plains provides grants to health and human service programs in our focus areas of health, education, financial stability and basic needs through a framework based on the social determinants of a strong and healthy community. This is a competitive application process. Applications are evaluated by a dedicated group of community volunteers. The recommendations of these volunteers are reviewed and approved by the United Way Board of Directors.
2024-2025 GRANT APPLICATION NOW OPEN
Applications must be submitted online by Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at noon.
Ready to apply? Here’s what you need to know:
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status required.
- Program operates within the United Way of the Plains service area (Barber, Butler, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Pratt, Reno, Sedgwick and Sumner counties).
- Program aligns with United Way’s strategies in health, education, financial stability or basic needs. NOTE: United Way does not fund grants to individuals, art/cultural organizations, animal services, capital needs or environmental concerns.
- Organizations must not discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, medical condition, sex or gender (including pregnancy), gender identity and/or expression (including transgender identity), sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Timeline of Grant
- Deadline for submissions: Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at noon
- Grant recipients announced: Spring 2024
- Funding cycle: July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025
- Reporting: Quarterly reports required.
Applications must be submitted online by Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at noon.
To begin the application, follow these steps:
- Create an account. Follow the prompts to register your organization, create your profile and provide the required proof of 501c3 status.
Note: If you have previously created an account with WizeHive, you will need to create a new account.
- Once registered, begin your application by selecting “Get Started.”
- Required documents associated with the application can be found below.
- Upon completion and review of your application, select “Submit.” This will complete your application. Once applications are submitted, they cannot be edited.
- For multiple program applications, repeat steps 2 through 4.
Required documents:
Select “Download” under File in the menu (upper left corner) or select the download arrow icon (upper right corner). Do not edit the document within Dropbox.
2023-2024 INVESTMENTS
Thanks to the caring power of our community, this program is investing a total of $5.4 million in local programs, including 20 new programs, from July 2023 to June 2024 that will help individuals and families throughout south central Kansas achieve their human potential.
This year’s recipients can be viewed here.

QUESTIONS?

Abel Frederic
Vice President of Community Impact
afrederic@unitedwayplains.org
(316) 267-1321 ext. 4211
Contact for questions regarding health programming.

Heather Crump
Community Impact Manager for Education
hcrump@unitedwayplains.org
(316) 267-1321 ext. 4234

Michelle Presnell
Community Impact Manager for Financial Stability
mpresnell@unitedwayplains.org
(316) 267-1321 ext. 4232

Matt Lowe
Community Impact Manager for Basic Needs
mlowe@unitedwayplains.org
(316) 267-1321 ext. 4233