Partner Resources

The Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE) program is a partnership between K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Masons, the Kansas PRIDE, Inc. Board of Directors, the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation (in Northwest Kansas). Each partner brings unique and exciting opportunities for KCE participating communities.

K-State Research and Extension is a foundational partner of the Kansas Community Empowerment program, and improves Kansans' lives, livelihoods and communities through education, research, engagement and leadership. With scientists, educators and volunteers in each of the state's 105 counties, our professionals strive to make the university's research and scientific accomplishments accessible and relevant to every household.

How KCE Utilizes K-State Research and Extension

The KCE program utilizes its K-State Research and Extension network to provide local guidance, education and research dissemination. Local Extension Agents serve as reliable and knowledgeable networks to KCE participating communities at the local, regional and state level. State Specialists, such as those through K-State Research and Extension Community Vitality can provide tools and education that can assist communities with identifying assets and obtaining resources for local projects.

K-State Research and Extension provides the KCE with staff to administer the program, through partnerships with the Kansas Masons and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. The KCE staff are Community Vitality Specialists that are knowledgeable in resource connection and programmatic opportunities that benefit KCE participant communities.

Many times assessments are the key to motivating local community improvement efforts. KCE staff provide assessment opportunities through their roles as K-State Research and Extension through survey read outs, community forums, the First Impressions (which also has a great companion piece on how to engage newcomers in your community) and the Youth Community Perceptions programs.

Some communities are in need of funding for projects. The KCE program staff are knowledgeable in the grants available through their partnerships with the Kansas Masons and Kansas PRIDE, Inc. Staff also provide grant searches, and work closely with K-State Research and Extension Community Vitality Specialists that provide grant writing workshops.

The Kansas Masons have provided the Kansas Community Empowerment program with funding for capacity building and program grant funds. Kansas Masonic Foundation, funded through its membership of the Kansas Freemasons, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established for the purpose of expanding Masonic philanthropy in the fields of charitable, educational and scientific programs. While other community-based clubs promote events to raise money for charity, the Masons primarily donate funds directly from their members without any outside solicitation to the public. Kansas Masons, through the Kansas Masonic Foundation, have provided more than $50 million to charitable endeavors over the years.

The many resources that The Kansas Masons provide communities

The Kansas Masons have an array of resources that assist in community support in the areas of youth educational and entrepreneurial support, health, and community betterment. One important aspect of connecting with potential partners is Story Telling. We have worked closely with the Kansas Masons to develop a Story Telling template (click here for a Microsoft Word version) for communities and a Tips for Partnerships tip sheet to increase your organizational reach by outlining your vision, mission, goals and projects into an easy story telling format or a document to share with potential partners.

Youth educational support programs include Scholarships, their annual Masonic Public School essay contest, and recognizing exemplary students and teachers through their recognition program. The Masons also support a holistic business support approach to youth entrepreneurs through their partnership with Kansas State University through the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge.

Community health programs include expanding Adult Speech, Language and Hearing services, through Fort Hays State University, providing an endowment to the KU Cancer Center to provide research for comprehensive cancer treatment and the Masonic Cancer Alliance for free mobile health screenings.

Finally, the Kansas Masons support NextGen Under 30 - an opportunity to recognize young adults under 30 that are doing amazing things in their communities. This is a great opportunity to support networking for your community members under 30, as well as recognize them for their contributions to your community.

The Kansas PRIDE, Inc. Board of Directors is a steering committee for the Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE) program, made up of community representatives of KCE participating communities, sponsors that serve KCE communities, the League of Kansas Municipalities, the Kansas Association of Counties, K-State Research and Extension, the Kansas Department of Commerce. Kansas PRIDE, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established for the purpose of providing guidance to program education and raises funds for community grants.

Opportunities provided through Kansas PRIDE, Inc. to Communities

Kansas PRIDE, Inc. raises funds for the Communities of Growth and Communities of Action grants that are available through the program for communities. Check out the KCE funding page to learn more.

Funds are also raised for two recognition awards, the Project Excellence award and the Rising Star Award. All communities in good standing can apply for these awards. The Project Excellence award is for outstanding community projects in KCE participating communities. Rising Star awards are for persons, or entities, that have gone above and beyond for your community, and is a guaranteed award (granted one award per year per community). Visit our recognition page to learn more.

Kansas Commerce is a foundational partner to the Kansas Communty Empowerment program.

Communities are the heart of Kansas, and community development is central their approach when it comes to growing the economy. They know that one of the first priorities companies consider when deciding where to locate is whether their employees will be able to live happily and comfortably. Commerce provides opportunities to evaluate community needs and funding opportunities to support community betterment.

Kansas Commerce evaluation and funding opportunities for communities

Kansas Commerce provides many opportunities in the areas of Community Investment Programs, Downtown Development, Infrastructure Assistance, Destination Development and Rural Resources. Some of their most utilized resources are their Housing Assessment Tool, Community Development Block Grants and Community Service Tax Credit programs.

To connect with program specific program staff, visit their Team page.

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation was established in 1965 with a generous estate gift from Dane G. Hansen. Mr. Hansen was an entrepreneur whose business interests over the course of his life included, among others, retail, lumber, road and bridge construction and oil. Reflecting Mr. Hansen’s lifelong love of Northwest Kansas, the charitable foundation that bears his name has a mission to improve the quality of life for the residents and the communities in the 26 counties that make up the northwest quarter of Kansas. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation provides partnership through supporting KCE staff work in Northwest Kansas.

Resources specific to Northwest Kansas

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation accepts year round grant applications for community improvement in the areas of education, healthcare, economic development, community social services and security, conservation, arts and culture and community beautification. Visit their funding page for more details.

Dane G. Hansen also provides scholarships for the improvement of educational opportunities for students in Northwest Kansas.