Technical Education Programs in Kansas and Missouri

The Patterson Family Foundation’s Open Call Grant for Career and Technical Education (CTE) supports public school districts in advancing career readiness by funding projects that align educational programming with local and regional labor market needs. Recognizing that effective CTE programs can serve as powerful pathways to employment and economic mobility, this grant seeks to equip students with the skills, certifications, and practical experiences necessary to thrive in high-demand occupations. The initiative is especially geared toward rural communities within the foundation’s Kansas and western Missouri catchment area—counties with fewer than 50,000 residents—ensuring support reaches areas with limited resources but strong potential for workforce development impact. This opportunity provides funding to strengthen partnerships between school districts and local employers while enhancing the capacity of CTE programs to deliver relevant, industry-informed education. Key priorities include expanding student access to work-based learning, facilitating credential attainment, and integrating employer feedback into program design. Applicants are expected to monitor and report on student outcomes such as internship placements, job readiness indicators, participation rates, and the number of industry-recognized certifications earned. Additionally, schools must demonstrate efforts to build or deepen partnerships with local business and industry leaders to better serve students and address regional workforce gaps. Use of funds may include acquiring updated equipment and technology to simulate workplace environments, providing teacher and counselor professional development, supporting students in accessing opportunities, and developing or expanding industry engagement models. The grant explicitly supports projects that connect education with local economic ecosystems, ensuring students graduate with the skills and experiences necessary to enter the workforce or pursue further specialized training. As part of this grant’s focus, applicants must clearly define how they will evaluate the program’s effectiveness and measure tangible student and employer outcomes. Eligibility is limited to public school districts operating within the foundation’s designated geographic area. A detailed map outlines the eligible counties across Kansas and western Missouri. In addition, districts currently managing active CTE grants—either from the 2025 cycle or earlier awards with unspent funds from 2023–2024—are not eligible to apply until those grants are fully closed. This stipulation ensures funding is used effectively and avoids overlapping commitments that could hinder project execution and oversight. The application process begins with registration on the foundation’s Grants Portal. Once registered, applicants submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), followed by an invitation-only full application for selected projects. Each submission must include a comprehensive project plan, budget, and required supporting documents. The 2026 grant cycle follows a two-round structure: Round 1 LOIs are due by February 18 with full applications by April 3, while Round 2 LOIs close May 13 with final applications due June 29. All deadlines close at 12:00 PM CST, and awards are communicated by June and September, with disbursements in July and October, respectively. The foundation encourages early engagement, clear alignment between project activities and workforce needs, and strong planning around sustainability. Technical support is available through the Grants Portal or by contacting the foundation directly. Given the competitive nature of this opportunity, applicants are advised to review eligibility requirements carefully, especially regarding existing grant status, and to structure their proposals with measurable outcomes in mind.

Applicants must close any prior CTE grants before applying. Proposals should demonstrate strong employer engagement and workforce alignment.