Organizations involved in electoral campaigns
POWER THROUGH
Gift GIVING
FUNDING
The KC People’s Fund provides gifts to organizations whose primary strategy is grassroots organizing.
KC People’s Fund provides support to organizations and groups in Jackson County, Missouri and Wyandotte County, Kansas promoting systemic social change. Our gifting approach extends beyond issue areas or treating symptoms of injustice, but rather we invest in community-led solutions to change the systems that allow injustice, disinvestment and exploitation to perpetuate existing disparities in opportunities and outcomes.
We do this by providing resources to organizations whose primary strategy is power building through community organizing. For KC People’s Fund, community organizing has four core elements:
The organization is led by the people most directly impacted by the issues the organization works on, and those members have clear decision-making power.
The organization focuses on building a strong base of leaders with shared interests, and nurturing the leadership capacity of its members.
The organization is focused on the root causes of the problem. While we recognize the need to support individual needs, we believe it’s essential to identify the policies, practices, and institutions that hold back historically under-resourced communities to create lasting change.
The organization has a defined plan to achieve systemic change. Community organizing plans can involve marches, rallies, lobbying, civil disobedience, town hall meetings, and various other activities aimed at influencing decisions and bringing about the necessary changes.
GIFT SIzE
Organizations may request up to $100,000 in funding, payable over two years. Organizations that have unspent funds should contact us before submitting a new request.
Who Can Apply
- Organizations using community organizing as a primary strategy. Direct service organizations are eligible to apply only if they are also engaged in community organizing that includes the four core elements.
- For our first round of funding, organizations must be in Jackson County, Missouri or Wyandotte County, Kansas and specifically focused on historically under- resourced communities including Black, Latino, Indigenous or Asian American Pacific Islander communities.
- Must have a 501(c)(3) charitable status or have an existing relationship with a fiscal sponsor that has 501(c)(3) status.
- Priority will be given to organizations with budgets under $1,000,000. Local chapters of national organizations and organizing programs of larger organizations may apply but may not be prioritized for funding.
What We Do Not Fund
GIFTING PROCESS
The KC People’s Fund’s Gifting Team, made up of community members, reviews funding requests through a two-step process. First, organizations submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) via the online portal, which opens on 05/08/2025 and closes on 06/09/2025. Eligible applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal. The Gifting Team reviews proposals and may request a brief follow-up conversation. Office hours and support are available throughout the process. All applications must be submitted through the online system, with preview materials provided in advance.
Need Assistance?
While we have designed our application in the hope that it can be completed without the assistance of a professional grant writer, we know that many of you will have questions or need assistance. We will have two online information sessions where you can learn about the KC People’s Fund and what to expect during the application process.
Daytime Zoom Link
05/13/2025 10:00am
Nighttime session:
Nighttime Zoom Link
05/14/2025 6:00pm
If you plan on joining one of the workshops and have accessibility needs, please register and let us know by 05/08/2025.
For additional assistance, you can schedule a 30-minute meeting with us.
Additional Assistance session:
Additional Assistance Link
- Tuesdays 10 am – Noon CT
- Thursdays 1 pm – 4 pm CT
Application Process
STEP 1
Letter of Interest open
STEP 2
Application portal closes and KC People’s Fund screens for eligibility.
STEP 3
All applicants receive a response regarding their application.
STEP 4
Eligible applicants receive a link to the full application
STEP 5
Application portal closes
STEP 6
Gifting Team reviews applications. KC People’s Fund will contact applicants if the Gifting Team has questions or needs additional information.
STEP 7
The Gifting Team Meets to finalize gifting decisions.
STEP 8
All applicants are notified of final decision.