KCE Kickstart

The Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE) Kickstart Grant is a program administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce through its Quality Places Division. Designed to empower local communities, particularly small rural ones, the grant aims to improve the quality of life across Kansas by supporting community-driven projects that foster engagement, pride, and sustainable volunteerism. The grant initiative is rooted in enhancing public spaces and community assets while promoting long-term vitality through visible and meaningful local investments. With financial backing in part from organizations like the Patterson Family Foundation, the Kansas Health Foundation, the Sunflower Foundation, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, the program advances the shared vision of equitable, grassroots revitalization efforts throughout the state. Kickstart Grants specifically focus on projects aligned with the mission and vision of participating KCE communities. Eligible projects should be clearly responsive to local needs, appropriate in scale for a small grant, and designed to deliver community benefit within a short timeframe. Examples include providing supplies for cleanup events, community festivals, or engagement efforts such as strategic planning workshops. Importantly, proposals must demonstrate strong local involvement and feasibility for implementation within six months of approval. Projects that are purely promotional or marketing-oriented, such as website development or advertising campaigns, are ineligible. Each project must show a direct link to community goals and offer tangible, public-facing results. Funding is allocated on a rolling basis beginning February 1, 2026, and continues monthly until all funds—totaling $40,000—are awarded or until December 4, 2026. Applications are reviewed by the Kansas Department of Commerce on the 15th of each month. This rolling structure underscores the importance of early application, as awards are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. The grant review process uses a scoring rubric evaluating project need, purpose, community involvement, readiness, feasibility, and potential benefit, with a maximum score of 100 points. Applications must meet or exceed the "Meets Expectations" threshold for consideration but meeting this threshold does not guarantee funding. Applicants must be currently enrolled KCE communities classified into one of three tiers: Community of Growth, Community of Action, or Community of Empowerment. Grant amounts vary by tier, with Growth communities eligible for up to $2,000 and the other two tiers eligible for up to $5,000. Eligible applicants include municipal governments, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, nonprofits (501(c)(3) or (c)(6)), and community foundations. Entities that fall outside these categories can still apply using a fiscal agent who meets eligibility standards and agrees to manage grant funds under a formal agreement. Applications are submitted exclusively through the Kansas Commerce online portal in Salesforce, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Required attachments include bids or estimates, proof of match funding, updated W-9 forms, tax clearance certificates, covered technologies forms, and proof of good standing with the Secretary of State. Projects must be completed within six months of grant approval, followed by a final report submitted within 30 days of completion. Reporting and record-keeping are mandatory for three years post-grant. Contact information for support includes Sara Bloom, the Quality Places Director, who can be reached at [email protected] or via the general inbox at [email protected]. Award announcements are issued monthly, and grant payments are made via check or ACH within 30 days of award.

Applications are scored based on need, alignment with mission, community involvement, and feasibility; Early submission encouraged due to rolling basis awards.