Connext Mini-Grant Fund- 2025
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Connext Mini-Grant Fund is to provide financial assistance of $50 up to $250 to emerging nonprofit professionals facing barriers to pursuing opportunities that will advance their career goals and positively impact the greater Kansas City nonprofit community. Connext is prepared to provide grants to multiple applicants this year. This grant is intended for individual use, not for organizational funding.

CURRENT FUNDING CYCLE
- Application Deadline: August 30th, 2025, by 11:59 pm CT
- Notification to Applicants: by October 2025
- In-person Check Presentation: November / December 2025
- Reflection Form Due: 30 days after your funded opportunity has ended  

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
  1. Applicants must be employed at a nonprofit organization in the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area.
  2. Applicants must affirm they identify as an "emerging nonprofit professional," defined as an individual with less than seven years of cumulative experience in the nonprofit sector.
  3. Funding must be used for current or future professional development opportunities. However, funds can be used to cover expenses incurred prior to the application due date.
  4. Applicants must provide proof of payment before funds are distributed. (If this represents a financial hardship for you, please email connextkc@gmail.com.)
  5. Applicants must demonstrate expenses were out of pocket.
  6. The activity must be relevant to future career growth.
  7. Applicants must be available for application follow-up questions and, if awarded, an in-person check presentation and follow-up reflection.
Please note: Although the committee members responsible for distributing the Connext Mini-Grant Fund are ineligible for grant funding, Connext Board of Directors are permitted and encouraged to apply. 

APPLICATION
In addition to completing this Google Form, please email the following documents to connextkc@gmail.com: 
  1. Your current resume
  2. If applicable, proof of purchase of costs previously incurred (original receipts, paid invoices, or credit card statements with personal info redacted)
Examples of activities grants may fund include but are not limited to:
  • Conference-related expenses such as registration fees, accommodations, and travel to
  • Registration fees for locally-based professional development workshops or career networking opportunities
  • Professional association memberships
  • Exam fees required to earn professional certification
  • Other activities evaluated on a case-by-case basis
 Grant funds cannot be used for:
  • Tuition, room and board, or fees associated with college or university classes
  • Conference-related expenses, such as meals, local travel, incidentals
  • Personal expenses, such as living costs, credit card debt, loans, and legal costs
  • Business-related supplies, such as headshots, business cards, computers, etc.
  • Costs paid for by any entity or organization other than the Grantee themselves
  • Cover cost for Nonprofit Connect programming/membership fees 
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The following components will be considered during the application review process: 
  1. How the applicant will use the mini-grant to further their professional development
  2. The financial/personal obstacles impacting their ability to pursue the said activity
  3. How the mini-grant will ultimately help them reach their personal and professional goals
  4. Their level of Connext involvement, including board membership, attendance at recent Connext events (within the last two years), and subscription to the Connext e-newsletter
  5. Whether the applicant identifies from diverse background(s)
  6. Whether the applicant('s employer) is a member of Nonprofit Connect

POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT Recipients will receive funds through a reimbursement check after receipt of necessary documentation. Documentation may be submitted with the application, no later than the fiscal year's end, or as Nonprofit Connect requests it. 

Grantees must also provide a short bio of 500-1500 characters and a headshot for publication upon award. Grant recipients will be announced on Connext social media, e-newsletter, and other social media channels. By receiving grant funding, Grantees consent to their name, image, and details about how their grant was used to be shared in these channels. 

Finally, all Grantees must submit a brief testimony on how the grant was used and how it affected the Grantee's professional goals within 30 days after completing the professional development opportunity.

Please Note: Grant reimbursement may be taxable income, and recipients are encouraged to consult with a tax professional.

Please email connextkc@gmail.com with any additional questions about the fund or application process.

Sign in to Google to save your progress. Learn more
Email *
General Information
First Name
Last Name
What are your preferred pronouns? (Optional)
Phone number (Optional)
Eligibility
Are you currently employed in the greater Kansas City nonprofit sector? 
Clear selection
Who is your current employer?
What is your position at your agency/company?
Are you or your employer a member of Nonprofit Connect? Note: Not being a member of Nonprofit Connect does not disqualify you from a Connext mini-grant. 
Clear selection
Do you affirm you identify as an “emerging nonprofit professional,”  defined as an individual with less than seven years of cumulative experience in the nonprofit sector?
Clear selection
Use of Funds
What amount are you requesting from Connext? (Please select from $50 to $250) 
What are you requesting funding for? (Check all that apply)
Please describe your funding request, what you would like the Connext Mini-Grant to fund, including when it will occur. Also include a brief budget statement specifying the amount requested from Connext, funding from employer/other sources, and any remainder paid by the applicant. (250 word limit)
How will a mini-grant from Connext benefit your professional development as well as positively impact your organization and the greater Kansas City nonprofit community? (250 word limit)
Demonstration of Need
What unique factor(s) about your career or financial situation would you like us to consider in making this decision? (250 word limit)  
Involvement in Connext
How have you engaged with Connext in the past? (Check all that apply)
Commitment to Inclusion

The Connext Board is committed to increasing opportunities for women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, and individuals with disabilities to be nonprofit leaders and to be actively involved with Connext and join the Connext board. As part of that commitment, we will prioritize opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds. 

Below are six optional questions about your identity. Any information provided will be kept confidential and reported in aggregate, with no identifying data included. Your application will still be considered if you choose not to answer them.

Race & Ethnicity: How do you publicly self-identify? (Check all that may apply.) (Optional)
Gender Identity 1: How do publicly self-identify? (Check all that may apply.) (Optional)
Gender Identity 2: How do you publicly self-identify? (Check all that may apply.) (Optional)
Sexual Orientation: How do you publicly self-identify? (Check all that may apply.) (Optional)
Disability: How do you publicly self-identify? (Check all that may apply.) (Optional)
Is there anything else you'd like us to know about your demographic profile?(Optional)
I certify that all the information and answers to questions herein are complete, true, and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of any facts may render my application void. 
Clear selection
Submit
Clear form
Never submit passwords through Google Forms.
This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google. - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy

Does this form look suspicious? Report

Google Forms