Wichita Collective Impact Initiative
Together, we are creating a more equitable place to learn, work and succeed.
The Wichita Collective Impact Initiative brings together the community, nonprofits, businesses and government entities to focus on educational success and workforce readiness, beginning in the 67214 ZIP code.
SNAPSHOT OF 67214
Why focus on 67214?
- 67214 is the poorest ZIP code in Kansas
- Average adjusted gross income in 2018 was $27,906
- 19.6% had an income below $10,000
- 39.2% are not currently in the labor force
- Of those 25+ years of age, 25.3% did not complete high school
- 24.8% of the population does not have health insurance coverage
- 43.6% of the population is Black or African American; 24.8% is Hispanic.
OUR GOALS
Through volunteerism, shared expertise and financial grants, we will achieve collective impact that strengthens equity through educational success and workforce readiness.

Educational Success
- Increase access to quality early childhood education
- Improve third grade reading
- Improve seventh grade algebra
- Increase graduation rates
- Improve teacher representation

Workforce Readiness
- Increase number of students engaged in ready-to-work programs
- Increase diversity and number of jobs created
- Improve local post-secondary enrollment
- Reduce mid-career departures
2023 SUMMER GRANT APPLICATION
Applications must be submitted by Monday, April 3, 2023, at noon.
Sixty percent of young people entering kindergarten in Wichita Public Schools (WPS) come in without the fundamental reading skills of recognizing ‘Letter Names’ and ‘Letter Sounds’. In addition, forty percent of students entering WPS are not able to regularly recognize numbers or a number of grouped objects (‘Number Sense’).
The focus of this round of funding is summer programming serving students entering Kindergarten, first or second grade in the fall of 2023, and students must be living and/or attending a school in or around the 67214 ZIP code, including 67219, 67220, 67208, 67218, 67211, 67202, 67201, 67203 and 67204. This area has been identified as an area where residents are significantly underserved in education.
For this grant cycle, WCI intends to give out investments up to $25,000 for those organizations who can align with Wichita Public Schools strategic plan to:
- Grow parent participation in Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) that pinpoint developmental progress in children. View Wichita Public School’s questionnaire here: https://www.usd259.org/Page/20396.
- Boost competencies among all student served in the program using approved age-appropriate curriculum
- Engage parents in the literacy activities
Process & Timeline
All potential grant recipients must attend all meetings and trainings listed on the timeline to be eligible for a summer grant award. To register for trainings, contact LaWanda DeShazer, Senior Program Director for the Greater Wichita YMCA, at lawanda.deshazer@ymcawichita.org or (316) 776-8176, with the name of your organization and the individual(s) who will be attending.
- February 15, 2023: 9:00 a.m. Application opens
- February 21, 2023: 8:30 a.m. Collective Impact Training, Downtown YMCA
- February 28, 2023: 8:30 a.m. Curriculum-based Measurements Training, Downtown YMCA (Will also include Collective Impact Training)
- March 7, 2023: 8:30 a.m. Program Development Training, Downtown YMCA
- March 14, 2023: 8:30 a.m. Grant Writing Training, Steve Clark YMCA
- April 3, 2023: 12:00 p.m. Deadline for proposals
- April 10, 2023: Summer Grantees Announced
- April 17, 2023: Awardees Workshop (expectations)
- July 2023: Summer Programs Begin
- August 2023: Summer programs End/Grant Period Ends
- September 30, 2023: Summer Program Grant Report Due
Eligibility
The following requirements must be met for an organization to be eligible for funding through the Wichita Collective Impact process:
- The organization must be a 501(c)(3).
- The proposed program must concentrate its efforts and services within in and around the 67214 service area, as defined above.
- The proposed program must work towards the goals defined in this application guide.
- 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.
Application
Applications must be completed by Monday, April 3, 2023, at noon.
Download the grant application guide here.
This grant application was initiated and managed by the Greater Wichita YMCA, and hosted by United Way of the Plains. For questions, contact LaWanda DeShazer, Senior Program Director for the Greater Wichita YMCA, at lawanda.deshazer@ymcawichita.org or (316) 776-8176.
All questions are limited to 300 words, unless stated otherwise.
COLLABORATION PARTNERS
Funded through a $2 million gift from Wichita-based Cargill Protein North America, Wichita Collective Impact is a three-year initiative led by United Way of the Plains, Greater Wichita YMCA and the Public Policy & Management Center at Wichita State University.




QUESTIONS?
For more information, contact LaWanda DeShazer, Senior Program Director for the Greater Wichita YMCA, at lawanda.deshazer@ymcawichita.org or (316) 776-8176.