September 2020 Edition
IN THIS ISSUE:
  • Norton PRIDE in the Spotlight
  • What's Up with Awards?
  • PRIDE Community Happenings
  • Government Support Day - City of Wichita
  • Continuing Opportunities Section
  • Additional Funding Resources
  • From the History Books
  • Up for a Community Visit? We Are, Too!
  • Catch Us on Facebook & Facebook Live!
  • COVID-19 Resource Links
  • First Friday e-Calls - Check 'em Out
  • Events Calendar
  • 2020 Kansas PRIDE Communities
Norton PRIDE in the Spotlight
Norton PRIDE recently submitted their final report for their Community of Action grant. Here is what they had to say: "Norton PRIDE is pleased with our Pool Playground Project. When the City found the playground equipment unsafe and removed it in 2018, several local mothers decided Norton needed to get a pool playground for our kids. The crew got approval from the city working to get fundraising underway. They raised over $8,000 in several months. PRIDE came on board in 2019 as they saw this project filled a need, not only when the pool/ball fields were busy in the summer, but all year long. They recruited Moms4kids to gather playground ideas so a project cost could be determined. With approval of the plan by the City Park Committee and Council, the project moved to the process of seeking funding. We were graciously blessed with funding from: Kansas PRIDE ($2,000), Midwest Energy, Inc. ($5,000), Dane G Hansen Foundation ($5,000), Kiwanis of Norton County ($500), & Norton County Community Foundation ($17,239). Other funding was provided by the 2018 Norton County Community Foundation’s Match Day, a Norton Pizza Hut Fundraiser, plus local clubs/organizations contributed to this project. Not to be discounted are pennies, spare change, and dollars given by local kids. These collective efforts contributed a sum of $8,767 to the total project cost of $38,506. In addition, we were privileged to receive the assistance of the City of Norton crews who, with city equipment, set up the playground after prepping the site, provided pea gravel to support the mulch, and necessary concrete work for access. Many volunteers spent endless hours working on the project through meetings and paperwork reflected in the PRIDE report statistics of over 400 hours logged by 116 volunteers. Our design came to life with the help of Matt Cline of Athco/Landscape Structure, Inc. Our finished project is awesome and we are confident it will serve the play needs of our children in the years to come. So as we stretch the ribbon and officially bring this project to completion we say 'Norton, let’s play!'"

Great story and awesome effort! Thanks Norton PRIDE for sharing your story! - Jaime Menon, Kansas PRIDE Program Co-Coordinator, [email protected]
What's Up with Awards?
It's a question on a lot of people's minds lately. It's a good question to ask. Here is an update on awards that we hope will help: I don't think we have to tell you that a certain something (*my eyes meet your eyes and we both nod knowingly*) has thrown everyone and everything for a loop. As we noted before the awards system for Kansas PRIDE, Inc. went on pause for some important reasons. One of those reasons was to make sure the awards were serving communities in the best way possible.

The mission of Kansas PRIDE is To promote an enhanced quality of life for the citizens of Kansas communities through education, leadership development and recognition. Kansas PRIDE, Inc. Board of Directors believe that education and leadership development are an important part of that mission and should be part of the recognition process. That said, on the horizon will be guidance documents that will allow for:

  • streamlining of the awards process;
  • supporting education for Kansas PRIDE communities;
  • helpful documentation for applying for awards and succession of leadership.

More information will come near the close of the year, and a teaser, it is sure not to be the only update to the program. Let that ruminate for a bit. We promise it will be a good thing! - Jaime Menon, Kansas PRIDE Program Co-Coordinator, [email protected]
PRIDE Community Happenings
Ellis PRIDE worked with the Ellis Baptist Church to purchase and place bike racks around the community. The church applied for and received the grant money to purchase 7 bike racks, which Ellis PRIDE put together and will place around the community. You can view pictures of the racks on the Ellis PRIDE Facebook page. Alton PRIDE continued with their "Yard of the Month" project, awarding a new, great looking yard in August. The contest, sponsored by Alton PRIDE and the City of Alton, promotes the overall appearance of Alton. Yards within the city limits and up to 1/4 mile outside of town are eligible. Take a look at the most recent winner and other activities happening on Alton PRIDE's Facebook page. Ozawkie PRIDE Association continued to meet via Zoom, and continued to do work in the community. Putting their Fall 2019 Community of Action Grant to use, volunteers formed and poured some of the concrete pads for their new disc golf course. They anticipate work will continue on the project through the fall. You can keep track of Ozawkie's other activities on their Facebook page.

Share your happenings with us: [email protected]
Government Support Day - City of Wichita
During a recent city council meeting, the City of Wichita proclaimed September 1st as Government Support Day. Mayor Whipple read the proclamation which also proclaimed support for Wichita's SoCe Neighborhood, welcoming them into the Kansas PRIDE program. You can view the reading by clicking on the "Government Support Day link on the left side of the screen under the video, or by fast forwarding to about 15:00 here.
CONTINUING OPPORTUNITIES SECTION
GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS
Did you know that K-State Research and Extension's Nancy Daniels presents grant writing workshops (she also does First Friday E-Calls, another AWESOME resource for communities, which are listed on a link later in the newsletter)? Check out the link below for more grant workshop locations and registration information. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, some of the upcoming in-person workshop dates may be subject to change, so keep checking back here or on the website for updates. Upcoming workshops to be held in Leavenworth County, Riley, County, and Woodson County. We are also working on an online format for the future. More details to come.
External Funding Opportunities
Want to put your new grant writing skills to use? Here are some opportunities for project funding outside of the Kansas PRIDE grants:

Accessibility Microgrants from the Mid-America Arts Alliance: Thanks in part to generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts, M-AAA invites eligible organizations working across all disciplines, including folk and traditional, performing, visual, or literary to apply for an Arts Access Micro-Grant as reimbursement for services that increase the ability of persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency to access artistically excellent and meritorious arts programs.

Costume Society of America Small Museum Collection Care Grant: This $1,500 grant is intended to assist the costume and textiles collections of a small museum, historical society, historic house or site that has a limited budget and staff. The grant funds may be used to support the care, conservation, and/or exhibition of costumes and textiles that have important historic, regional or other significance and are intended for preservation. Institutions applying must be or become a CSA member or have a staff member who is. Guidelines and additional details are available in the link. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2020.

Bank of the West Charitable Investments: Bank of the West invests in non-profits in the communities they serve. If your PRIDE community is in or near an area with a Bank of the West location, and you have a 501c3 or work with a partner organization that does, you can visit the link to find out more information on how to apply and what guidelines exist. The letter of inquiry period is continuous, so there is no current deadline. Categories funded include community and economic development and education/job training.

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Grants: The Kauffman Foundation works with organizations across the U.S. that share a vision with education and entrepreneurship. They also have some grants available specifically for the Kansas City area. They continuously accept submission inquiries, so click on their “Have an Idea” section to see if your project meets their criteria.
Additional Funding Resources
Is your Kansas PRIDE community looking for funding to help with certain projects? Let us know what the project is, how much you're seeking, and what your timeline looks like. We have access to a grants database and likely can give you some links to potential funding sources. Just email us at [email protected] with your request and project idea. Not a Kansas PRIDE community? This resource is a great reason to join! You can also reach out to your local Extension office which should have access to the database as well. - Jan Steen, Kansas PRIDE Program Co-Coordinator, [email protected]
From the History Books
This look back in history comes to us from October 1990. We can see in the picture, Gov. Hayden is signing the 1990 Week of PRIDE proclamation. For other pieces of Kansas PRIDE history, visit our newsletter archives!
Up for a Community Visit? We Are, Too!
Our offer at the end of each newsletter is to come to your community so we can present an overview of the program, should you be interested in enrolling, or to discuss the program and any of its components or training modules in person if you’re already in the program. Travel restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 situation prevent us from visiting in person currently, but we still would be more than happy to host a Zoom meeting where your PRIDE group members, city council members, chamber participants, Masonic Lodge, or other groups could individually log in to see the presentation and ask questions. Just e-mail us at [email protected] to set up a schedule.

To view pre-recorded webinars giving an introduction to the program, step-by-step instructions on how to enroll or report, fundraising, recruiting volunteers, and more, head over to our Education page for more. - Jan Steen, Kansas PRIDE Program Co-Coordinator, [email protected]
Aside from posting news and information on the Kansas PRIDE Facebook Page between newsletters (we don't want to end up in your junk folder!), we (as in Jan and Jaime) are now hopping on Facebook Live on some Fridays for some education and small talk - and sometimes the odd trivia question! Join us on Fridays (usually around 10am or a bit later - Jan and I (as in mostly I) are still getting used to it!) for some learning opportunities!
COVID-19 Resource links
It is recommended that community PRIDE groups follow their local health department’s guidelines for any meetings or events during the pandemic. Additional resources for families, businesses, communities, and more can be found at the links below:
K-State Research and ExtensionResearch-based guidance and information
Kansas Department of CommerceCOVID-19 Response Page
U.S. Small Business AdministrationCOVID-19 Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Coronavirus Resource
First Friday e-Calls: Check'em Out!
K-State Research and Extension offers entrepreneurship webinars every first Friday of the month, and there have already been several great sessions this year.  If you missed them, they’ve been recorded and are available to view at your convenience along with the slides and some notes.  Visit: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/business/entrepreneurship/ for all past sessions. Growing your own entrepreneurs, creating an online sales presence for your business, Baby Boomers and the rural housing supply, and filling empty buildings are some of the topics available for viewing. Registration information for upcoming sessions can be found here: https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/events/
Have a local event going on? Got great places to visit? Eat? Play?

Why not send your ads here and we will place them in our newsletter? You just have to send a high quality photo and the verbiage you want to use and we will place them in our newsletter for one month!
EVENTS CALENDAR
Quarterly Report Dates:
  • October 15th, January, April 15th, July 15th
2020 Kansas PRIDE Communities
So far the following communities have enrolled in the Kansas PRIDE Program for the year of 2020.
And if you'd like to enroll go here and click on the blue "Enroll "button: https://kansasprideprogram.k-state.edu/enrollment-reporting/index.html
  • Admire
  • Agra
  • Alton
  • Anthony
  • Arlington
  • Ashland
  • Assaria
  • Axtell
  • Blue Rapids
  • Burden
  • Bushton
  • Caldwell
  • Caney
  • Centralia
  • Clifton
  • Columbus
  • Conway Springs
  • Council Grove
  • Delia
  • Dover
  • Dwight
  • Elk City
  • Ellis
  • Fort Scott
  • Glasco
  • Grainfield
  • Grinnell
  • Harper
  • Haysville
  • Herndon
  • Highland
  • Hugoton
  • Humboldt
  • Iola
  • Independence
  • Kinsley
  • La Harpe
  • Lakin
  • Larned
  • Lecompton
  • Leonardville
  • LeRoy
  • Lincoln
  • Linn Valley
  • Lucas
  • Luray
  • Macksville
  • Marion
  • McFarland
  • Melvern
  • Moran
  • Mount Hope
  • Newton
  • Nickerson
  • Norton
  • Olsburg
  • Osawatomie
  • Ozawkie
  • Perry
  • Potwin
  • Quenemo
  • Randolph
  • Riverton
  • Rossville
  • Rozel
  • Russell
  • Savonburg
  • Stockton
  • Toronto
  • Vermillion
  • Wakefield
  • Wichita (South Central)
  • Wilson
  • Yates Center
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