Nonprofit Catalyst Fund Awarding 29 Grants to Nonprofits Led by, Primarily Serving Communities of Color
United Way of Greater Kansas City, with support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, is pleased to announce the second round of grants issued through the newly established Nonprofit Catalyst Fund.
This $2M grant fund was first announced in February. Its goal is to advance small nonprofit organizations that are led by or primarily serve Black, Latino, and other people of color in the community.
Since then, eligible organizations have been reviewed, and awards granted. Recipients are 501(c)(3) public charities supporting education, human services, entrepreneurship, workforce skill building, economic mobility, and community development. In this second round of funding, 29 organizations are being awarded a total of $696,000 in grants.
“We’re already seeing how our impact is amplified through investing in these nonprofits led by or primarily serving communities of color,” said Essence Yancey, Community Impact Director with United Way of Greater Kansas City. “Too often, barriers have stood in the way of these organizations growing their footprint in the community. Being able to stand in the gap and help propel their work is deeply rewarding.”
“This grant means so much to me and our organization. As a small, startup BIPOC led nonprofit, we’ve been pushing forward with just our hearts mission of offering something pivotal for our community,” said Ray Freeman, founder of One Community Jiujitsu Club, a Nonprofit Catalyst Fund grant recipient. “Now with a bit of financial support, we can increase our infrastructure, expand our programming, and sharpen our administrative teams’ leadership.”
Nonprofit organizations are significant contributors to an equitable and inclusive economic development system, not only as employers and community conveners, but also in the delivery of critical programs and services that promote inclusive prosperity.
The Nonprofit Catalyst Fund will provide grants over a three-year period. To learn more or express interest in applying, please visit https://www.unitedwaygkc.org/whats-new/nonprofit- catalyst-grant.
Organizations will be able to use Nonprofit Catalyst Fund grants to cover staffing expenses, consultant contracts, professional services, small capital expenditures, and general operating expenses aligned with the capacity-building goals of the funding proposal.
Second Round Nonprofit Catalyst Grantees include:
Be Great Together, Inc. | Kansas City, Mo. (Education, Economic Mobility)
Birthday Connections | Kansas City, Mo. (Youth Development)
Black Archives of Mid-America| Kansas City, Mo. (Education, Human Services, Community
Bridge Leadership| Kansas City, Mo. (Youth Education & Dev., Crime Prevention)
Brothers Liberating Our Communities | Kansas City, Mo. (Education, Workforce Skill
Building)
Calvary Community Outreach Network | Kansas City, Mo. (Youth, Community Dev.)
Caring for Kids Network | Jackson Co., Mo. & Johnson Co., Kan. (Education, Youth Dev.)
Christian Family Services | Overland Park, Kan. (Human Services)
Collaborative Response dba Dynamic System of Schools | Kansas City, Mo. (Youth
Education)
Elevate Metro KC | Overland Park, Kan. (Domestic Violence Support)
Essential Families Midwest | Kansas City, Mo. (Youth, Community Dev.)
Generating Income for Tomorrow | Kansas City, Mo. (Economic Mobility, Community Dev.)
Giving Hope and Help | Lee’s Summit, Mo. (Domestic Violence Support)
Hold ‘Em Up 4 Care | Kansas City, Mo. (Youth Dev., Human Services)
Larnell Inner Circle Suicide Prevention | Johnson & Wyandotte Cos., Kan. (Mental Health,
Youth Education)
Kansas City Community Land Trust | Kansas City, Mo. (Affordable Housing, Community
Dev.)
KC Metro Homeschool | Kansas City, Mo. (Youth Education)
KC Mothers in Charge | Kansas City, Mo. (Crime Prevention, Education & Support)
KC United | Jackson Co., Mo. & Wyandotte Co., Kan. (Youth Dev., Education, Human
Services)
Marlene’s Kaleidoscope | Cass, Jackson, Clay, Platte Cos., Mo. & Johnson Co., Kan. (Human
Services and Education)
National Congress of Black Women, Inc. | Kansas City, Mo. (Education, Youth Dev.)
One Community Jiujitsu Club | Jackson Co., Mo. & Wyandotte Co., Kan. (Youth Dev.)
Parent Power Lab | Kansas City, Mo. (Education & Parent Leadership)
Professional Women of Color | Kansas City, Mo. (Education, Professional Dev.)
The Nia Project | Jackson Co., Mo. & Wyandotte Co., Kan (Education, Professional Dev.)
The Transition Academy | Kansas City, Mo. (Education, Youth Dev. & Workforce Skill
Building)
WeCode KC | Kansas City, Mo. (Youth & Community Dev, Economic Mobility)
Welcome Wellness Health Education Resource Center | Cass, Jackson Cos., Mo. &
Wyandotte Co., Kan. (Human Services)
World Builders Academy | Kansas City, Mo. (Youth Education)