The Kansas Volunteer Commission (KVC), a program of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), has awarded 27 organizations funding to support volunteer initiatives designed to respond to changing community needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant awards range between $500 to $1,000, and projects must take place prior to June 30, 2020.

The following organizations have been awarded funding to support this purpose:

• Barton County College-RSVP/Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas: $1,000
• Community Access Television of Salina Inc.: $1,000
• Douglas County CASA Inc.: $1,000
• Douglas County District Court- Citizen Review Board Volunteer Program: $1,000
• Family Promise of Greater Wichita Inc.: $1,000
• Flint Hills Volunteer Center: $898
• Four County Mental Health Center Inc. - RSVP Four County: $856
• Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland: $1,000
• HumanKind Ministries Wichita Inc.: $1,000
• Kansas 4-H Youth Development: $1,000
• Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving Sedgwick County: $1,000
• Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters Inc.: $1,000
• Kansas Humane Society: $998
• Main Street Ministries Inc.: $954
• Mercy & Truth Medical Missions: $1,000
• Neighbor to Neighbor Abilene: $918
• Offender/Victim Ministries Inc.: $1,000
• OZ Museum/Columbian Theatre Foundation Inc.: $1,000
• Sunflower CASA Project Inc.: $1,000
• Thrive Allen County: $1,000
• Topeka Unified School District 501: $1,000
• United Way of Douglas County: $1,000
• United Way of Franklin County Association: $1,000
• United Way of Greater Topeka: $1,000
• Derby USD 260 - USD 260 AmeriCorps Kansas Program: $1,000
• Wall Association: $1,000
• Wichita's Littlest Heroes: $930

Examples of how these grantees will use volunteer initiatives to address local needs include:

• Organizing a food drop-off program for vulnerable populations.
• Purchasing technology to support online youth mentoring efforts.
• Securing vital background checks for volunteers 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 KVC. All projects will take place in the state of Kansas.

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The mission of the Kansas Volunteer Commission (KVC) is to empower all Kansans to meet community needs through service. The Commission's primary role is to provide resources and leadership to support local initiatives that tackle community needs. As the state service commission, the KVC directs effective national service programs, provides volunteer management training opportunities and supports the work of Mentor Kansas. For more information, visit www.kanserve.org.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is the federal agency for volunteering, service, and civic engagement. The agency engages millions of Americans in citizen service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation's volunteering and service efforts. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.