The Rapid Equity Fund is a grantmaking initiative launched through a partnership between the REACH Healthcare Foundation and Wyandotte Health Foundation. It was created to support nonprofit organizations that serve Black, Brown, Immigrant, Refugee, and rural populations. The primary aim of this fund is to provide unrestricted funds to these organizations, with grants of up to $5,000, to help advance health equity in the region. The fund’s revitalization is focused on accelerating the grant award process, allowing for more funding opportunities for organizations serving highly vulnerable communities.
Eligible organizations must align with the mission of advancing health equity, particularly through access to healthcare services. Examples of eligible services include providing case management, offering healthcare navigation assistance, facilitating mental health support services, providing transportation to healthcare appointments, and facilitating preventative healthcare screenings. If an organization is uncertain whether its services align with the fund's mission, they are encouraged to reach out for clarification via email.
The geographic service area for the Rapid Equity Fund includes Allen, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, as well as Cass, Jackson, and Lafayette counties in Missouri. Organizations must be based within this six-county region to qualify. Additionally, to be eligible for funding, organizations must either be a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or a rural governmental entity. The organization must also have an annual operating budget of up to $300,000.
Grant applications for the Rapid Equity Fund are open until all available funds have been distributed. The maximum grant amount an eligible organization can receive is $5,000. However, several activities are ineligible for funding. These include healthcare or aid for individuals, services for Medicare-eligible populations, medical research, programs focusing on a single disease, and animal-assisted therapy programs. Other ineligible activities include fundraising events, endowments, and operating deficits.
For questions about the grant application process, interested parties are directed to consult the foundation's FAQ section. Additionally, the foundations' contact details are provided for further inquiries. The application can be completed through a provided link, and submissions are accepted until all funds are allocated.
