TOPEKA – The Kansas Volunteer Commission, a program of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), has awarded 35 organizations funding to support volunteer and mentor initiatives designed to respond to changing community needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grant awards range between $500 to $2,500, and projects must take place prior to Oct. 30, 2020. 

The following organizations have been awarded funding to support this purpose: 
    • Barton County College/RSVP: $2,500
    • Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence: $2,500
    • Boys & Girls Club of Topeka: $1,910
    • First Judicial District CASA Association: $2,490
    • CASA of the 17th Judicial District Inc.: $1,985
    • Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas Inc.: $2,500
    • Community Health Council: $2,500
    • Communities In Schools of Mid-America Inc.: $2,370
    • Cowley First - Cowley County Economic Development Partnership: $2,493
    • Elizabeth Ballard Community Services: $2,500
    • Emporia Community Foundation: $2,500
    • Flint Hills Volunteer Center/RSVP: $2,500
    • Four County Mental Health Center Inc.: $2,500
    • The Giving Tree Preschool: $2,470
    • Kansas Humane Society: $2,500
    • Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters: $1,500
    • Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving Reno County: $576
    • Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving Sedgwick County: $2,500
    • Lawrence Meals on Wheels: $500
    • McPherson County Community Foundation: $640
    • Neighbor to Neighbor Abilene: $2,035
    • Oz Museum/Columbian Theatre Inc.: $1,210
    • Paola Association for Church Action Inc./Foster Grandparent Program: $1,500
    • RSVP of Northeast Kansas Inc.: $1,738
    • Success By 6 Coalition of Douglas County: $2,500
    • Sunflower CASA Project Inc.: $2,500
    • Topeka Habitat for Humanity Inc.: $2,500
    • United Way of Douglas County: $1,000
    • United Way of Franklin County Association: $2,500
    • United Way of Greater Kansas City: $1,800
    • United Way of the Plains: $2,500
    • Southern Lyon County USD 252 –: $519
    • Veronica's Voice Inc.: $2,500
    • Wichita's Littlest Heroes: $1,575
    • Willow Domestic Violence Center: $2,000

Examples of how these grantees will use volunteer and mentor initiatives to address local needs include:
    • Conducting wellness check calls to households and delivering fresh produce, cleaning supplies and shelf stable
      food resources to residents with COVID-19 or at increased risk for COVID- 19.
    • Recording RSVP volunteers reading age-appropriate books for preschool through elementary school aged
      children.
    • Securing vital background checks for volunteers and mentors who will be providing services to vulnerable
      populations affected by COVID-19.

The grant funding comes from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) in partnership with the Kansas Volunteer Commission. All projects will take place in the state of Kansas.