The Kansas Volunteer Commission has announced the Mentoring Capacity Building mini-grant, which supports youth mentoring initiatives that implement or enhance one or more of the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring (EEPM) and its supplements. The EEPM provides a set of evidence-based standards that ensure consistent, effective and safe mentoring. The supplements to the EEPM expand on best practices to include diverse youth populations or industries that support youth leaders in areas of LGBTQ, E-mentoring, group, peer, STEM, workplace, critical mentoring and youth with disabilities.

This mini-grant is specifically for entities that are enrolled in the Mentor Kansas Partnership Program. All school districts, as well as community-based and youth-serving organizations, are encouraged to concurrently apply for the Partnership Program as well as the mini-grant opportunity. The grant period is from March 1–September 30, 2024, and applicants may request up to $5,000.

Applications are due Feb. 5, 2024.

For more information, visit https://kanserve.ksde.org/resources/commission-mini-grants/mentor-capacity-building-mini-grant or contact Dr. Jessica Dorsey, assistant director of KSDE’s Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS), at jdorsey@ksde.org.