Apply for Douglas County Grant Slam Funding Competition

The United Way of Kaw Valley logo above the words Grant Slam in gold. The background is a wall painted to look like graffiti in shades of teal, magenta and other colors
United Way Contacts
Funding application: Aquia Pusch, 785-228-5122, apusch@uwkawvalley.org 
Event Tickets and Sponsorships: Jarrod Guth, (785) 228-5128, jguth@uwkawvalley.org
GRANT SLAM offers Douglas County nonprofits opportunity to pitch community solutions. Four finalists will share $30K in funding.
Application deadline is August 28, 2026.
Lawrence, KS—United Way of Kaw Valley’s Grant Slam is a live fundraising and grant competition that highlights innovative nonprofit solutions supporting ALICE households in Douglas County. Local nonprofits will take the stage at this Shark Tank-style event to convince judges and attendees to invest United Way of Kaw Valley grant dollars in their approaches. Grant Slam harnesses the innovative spirit of Lawrence and our surrounding communities to create, fund and expand solutions that align with United Way's impact areas and the Douglas County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).   
Grant Slam culminates October 21 at Maceli’s when four finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of local judges and community supporters. Audience members will also vote to award a $1,500 bonus to one of the four presenting agencies.
 
“The Grant Slam pitch format allows the best ideas in our community to be seen by more than just the normal United Way review panels,” said Brett Martin, UWKV Vice President of Community Impact. “It’s not always easy to get new and innovative ideas in front of community members, especially for smaller organizations. Our hope is that Grant Slam engages the community to energize change through United Way.”
 
Why Grant Slam Matters/Who is ALICE? 
“While many of us realize that 16% of our Douglas County neighbors actually live below the federal poverty line, many don’t know that another 20% live in the margin above the official line but still are just one emergency away from financial catastrophe,” said Jessica Lehnherr, UWKV CEO. Known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), these households face frequent challenges related to housing, childcare, transportation, food security, healthcare, and financial stability. Grant Slam seeks innovative solutions that help families move beyond crisis and build long-term stability. 
 
How It Works 
1. Apply by August 28
2. Become a Finalist (announcement on September 11)
3. Pitch Live  (at Maceli’s on October 21)
4. Receive Funding 
 
Finalists Will: 
  • Present their work at a live community event
  • Compete for grant funding*
  • Increase visibility for their organization
  • Connect with community leaders and potential partners
  • Showcase innovative solutions that address local challenges
  • Advance strategies that improve outcomes for ALICE households
*All finalists will receive a portion of the grant dollars available.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, organizations must:
  • Be a current 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
  • Serve residents of Douglas County, Kansas
  • Propose a project that benefits ALICE households (Kansas | UnitedForALICE)
  • Demonstrate alignment with at least one Douglas County Community Health Improvement Plan priority area (LDCPH-CHIP_Plan-2025-11x85-v21)
  • Be able to participate in the live Grant Slam event on October 21
Technical assistance is available to all applicants, and regular office hours are available via Zoom. The schedule is available on the UWKV website: https://www.uwkawvalley.org/grantslam.
Populations of Focus
Grant Slam prioritizes projects benefiting ALICE households.
Applicants will also identify populations they primarily serve, which may include:
  • BIPOC communities
  • LGBTQIA+ populations
  • Immigrant and migrant populations
  • Gender-specific populations
  • Other historically under-resourced groups
Applicants with proposal questions should call or email Aquia Pusch at 785-228-5122 or apusch@uwkawvalley.org.
Tickets are available now to individuals and groups that wish to attend and/or sponsor Grant Slam. All ticketholders will have a vote for the People’s Choice bonus award. Ticket and sponsor information is available on our website, https://www.uwkawvalley.org/grantslam, or by contacting Jarrod Guth at jguth@uwkawvalley.org.
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