United Way of the Plains

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4.6 million (2025-2026 cycle)
• Geographic Focus: South-central Kansas (Sedgwick, Butler, Barber, Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Pratt, and Sumner Counties)
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $40,000 (varies by program)
• Decision Time: 4-6 months (varies by program)
• 2025 Investment: 61 programs across 49 nonprofit organizations

Contact Details

Address: 245 N Water St, Wichita, KS 67202-1201
Phone: (316) 267-1321
Email: uwp@unitedwayplains.org
Website: https://unitedwayplains.org

Community Impact Staff: Abel Frederic (Vice President of Community Impact), Logan Bradshaw (Director of Community Impact), Sarah Crick Milligan (Director of Community Impact), Matt Lowe (Director of Community Impact)

Virtual Office Hours: Wednesdays, noon – 1 p.m. for organizations interested in nonprofit investment opportunities

Overview

Founded in 1922 as Wichita Community Chest, United Way of the Plains has served south-central Kansas for over a century, evolving through several name changes before becoming United Way of the Plains in 1987. The organization operates with a mission to fight for the health, education, financial stability, and basic needs of every person in south-central Kansas. With a Four-Star rating (100% score) from Charity Navigator, United Way of the Plains has demonstrated strong financial accountability and transparency. Under the leadership of President and CEO Peter Najera, who joined in 2020, the organization has achieved 2.5 million instances of service and committed to $4.5 million in investments across 63 local nonprofits. In their most recent grant cycle, the organization reviewed over $9 million in requests, ultimately investing $4.6 million in 61 programs from July 2025 to June 2026. The organization has recently refreshed its impact areas to focus on Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Financial Security, while maintaining its traditional pillars of health, education, financial stability, and basic needs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

United Way of the Plains operates three distinct grant opportunities throughout the year:

Opportunity on the Plains (Largest annual program)

• Grant amounts vary based on program scope and budget
• Applications accepted in fall (deadline: December 30)
• Recipients announced in late spring
• Funding cycle: July to June
• Competitive application process evaluated by community volunteers
• Supports health and human service programs across all four focus areas
• 2025 investment: $4,649,177 across 61 programs from 49 organizations

Promise on the Plains (Spring application)

• Grants: $2,500 - $10,000
• Applications accepted in spring (typically closes mid-May)
• Recipients announced in June
• Specifically for nonprofits led by and serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities
• Focuses on building organizational capacity to reduce inequities in the BIPOC nonprofit sector
• 2024 investment: 14 local nonprofits funded

Impact on the Plains (Summer application)

• Grants: $10,000 - $40,000
• "Shark Tank"-style social innovation competition
• Applications accepted in summer
• Live pitch event held in September
• Four grants awarded ranging from $40,000 to $10,000
• Additional People's Choice Award: $5,000
• 2025 total investment: $105,000 to four nonprofits
• Draws over 450 attendees to the live pitch event

Priority Areas

United Way of the Plains focuses on four main building blocks for a good quality of life:

Health (Healthy Community)

• Providing access to quality services so all can get and stay healthy
• Addressing unsheltered homelessness (a top priority through the Coalition to End Homelessness in Wichita/Sedgwick County)
• 2020 grants in this area: $1,722,093

Education (Youth Opportunity)

• Helping children enter school ready to learn
• Supporting students to achieve at grade level
• Promoting on-time graduation
• 2020 grants in this area: $1,928,556

Financial Stability (Financial Security)

• Empowering adults with resources and education needed for fiscal security
• 2020 grants in this area: $2,908,734

Basic Needs

• Helping those in crisis cover basic needs
• Enabling individuals to survive today and move forward to live their best life possible

What They Don't Fund

United Way of the Plains does not fund:

• Grants to individuals
• Art/cultural organizations
• Animal services
• Capital needs
• Environmental concerns
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, medical condition, sex or gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Peter F. Najera, MBA - President and CEO (joined August 2020)

• Former President of the Rudd Foundation
• 20-year U.S. Army veteran with tours in Korea, Germany, and Iraq
• Former advisor to the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon
• Former White House Fellow in the Executive Office of the President
• Education: BBA from University of Notre Dame, MBA from Trident University, MPA from Harvard

Key Quote from CEO Najera: "I am very excited to serve the Wichita metro area with the world-class team at the United Way. In my mind, there is no greater calling than advancing the common good right here in our own backyard with other committed nonprofits fighting to improve the health, education and financial stability of all members of our community."

On grant investments, Najera stated: "Thanks to the generosity of donors, advocates, and volunteers, we are able to invest in local charities that strengthen our community, and we believe it is fostering a nonprofit ecosystem that is a force for good in south-central Kansas."

2025 Board Leadership

Jennifer Szambecki - Board Chair (Chief of Staff, Hutton)
Walt Berry - Immediate Past Chair (Executive Chairman, Berry Companies)
Gene Camarena - Community Investment Chair (President, La Raza Pizza)

2025 New Board Members

• Susan DeVaughn (SVP, National Hospitality Program Director, IMA Financial Group)
• Bryce Dougherty (Chief Financial Officer, Delta Dental of Kansas)

Community Impact Team

• Abel Frederic - Vice President of Community Impact
• Logan Bradshaw - Director of Community Impact
• Sarah Crick Milligan - Director of Community Impact
• Matt Lowe - Director of Community Impact

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way of the Plains has streamlined its application process to be entirely online, making it easier and more efficient for nonprofits to participate. The organization has also lifted many restrictions that previously created barriers for organizations to apply, resulting in a 3x increase in applications.

Application Resources Available:

• Recording of open house sessions
• PowerPoint presentations on funding priorities
• Impact Areas handouts outlining strategy areas
• Virtual office hours with Community Impact staff (Wednesdays, noon – 1 p.m.)

Application Methods (by program):

Opportunity on the Plains:

• Online application submitted through United Way website
• Deadline: December 30 at noon
• Must include proof of 501(c)(3) status
• Quarterly reports required for grant recipients

Promise on the Plains:

• Online application in spring
• Typical deadline: Mid-May at noon
• Biannual success story required for recipients

Impact on the Plains:

• Online application in summer
• Selected finalists make live pitches in September at Textron Aviation Activity Center
• "Shark Tank"-style presentation to panel of community judges

Eligibility Requirements

Geographic Eligibility:

• Organizations must operate in United Way of the Plains' service area: Sedgwick, Butler (all ZIP codes except 67042), Barber, Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Pratt, and Sumner Counties
• Also includes specific ZIP codes: 67001, 67025, 67035, 67068, 67108, 67135, 67147, and 67154

Organizational Requirements:

• Must be a nonprofit health and human service organization (for most programs)
• Must provide proof of 501(c)(3) status
• Must not discriminate based on protected characteristics
• Program must align with United Way's impact areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Financial Security

Program-Specific Requirements:

• Promise on the Plains: Must be led by and serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities

Decision Timeline

Opportunity on the Plains:

• Application deadline: December 30 (noon)
• Community volunteer review period: January - April
• Board approval: Spring
• Recipients announced: Late spring
• Funding begins: July
• Total timeline: Approximately 6-7 months from application to funding

Promise on the Plains:

• Application deadline: Mid-May (noon)
• Recipients announced: Mid-June
• Investments awarded for immediate use
• Total timeline: Approximately 1 month from application to announcement

Impact on the Plains:

• Application deadline: Summer
• Live pitch event: September
• Awards announced at event
• Total timeline: Approximately 2-3 months from application to award

Review Process

Applications are evaluated by dedicated groups of community volunteers who review submissions and make funding recommendations. These recommendations are then reviewed and approved by the United Way of the Plains Board of Directors. The organization values community input and uses panels of community judges for each funding stream.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly detailed on the website. Organizations interested in specific reapplication guidelines should contact the Community Impact staff during virtual office hours or call (316) 267-1321.

Application Success Factors

Recent Process Improvements That Increased Applications

United Way of the Plains has made significant efforts to improve accessibility:

• Moved to an all-online application process for easier and more efficient participation
• Lifted many restrictions that created barriers for some organizations to apply
• Opened lines of communication and built trust with nonprofits
• Result: 3x increase in applications received

Key Alignment Factors

Strong Alignment with Impact Areas: Programs must clearly demonstrate how they address one or more of United Way's refreshed impact areas - Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, or Financial Security. The organization emphasizes that programs should align with their strategies in these areas, not just touch on them tangentially.

Measurable Outcomes: While specific evaluation criteria aren't publicly detailed, the requirement for quarterly reports (Opportunity on the Plains) and biannual success stories (Promise on the Plains) indicates that United Way values measurable impact and clear reporting of outcomes.

Community Need Demonstrated: With over $9 million in requests competing for $4.6 million in funding in the most recent cycle, applications that demonstrate clear, pressing community need are likely to stand out.

For Promise on the Plains Applicants

Capacity Building Focus: This program specifically aims to build organizational capacity in the BIPOC nonprofit sector. Applications should address how the grant will strengthen the organization's infrastructure, systems, or capabilities.

Serving BIPOC Communities: Organizations must demonstrate both leadership from and service to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. The goal is to reduce inequities and foster a more just and inclusive community.

For Impact on the Plains Applicants

Bold, Innovative Solutions: This "Shark Tank"-style competition seeks innovative approaches to community issues. Past winners have included new systems and creative program models that address gaps in services.

Pitch Presentation Skills: Finalists must present to a live audience of 450+ attendees and a panel of community judges. Strong presentation skills and the ability to articulate your program's impact concisely are critical.

Past Winners (2021) Include:

• New Psychiatric Care System for Homeless Adults (Breakthrough Episcopal Social Services)
• Project Education for All (Center for Educational Technologies to Assist Refugee Learners, Wichita State University Foundation)
• Unsinkables (Derby Citizens Recreation Association)
• Impactful Science Field Trips for Fourth Graders (Exploration Place)

Leveraging Support Resources

Attend Virtual Office Hours: Community Impact staff host weekly office hours (Wednesdays, noon – 1 p.m.) specifically to support organizations through the application process. This is an opportunity to ask questions and get guidance.

Review Open House Materials: United Way provides recordings, presentations, and handouts from their open houses. These materials offer valuable insights into their funding priorities and evaluation criteria.

Build Relationships Early: The organization has emphasized building trust and opening lines of communication with nonprofits. Don't wait until application season to connect with Community Impact staff.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Three distinct opportunities throughout the year: Plan ahead to apply for the program that best fits your organization - Opportunity on the Plains (fall), Promise on the Plains (spring), or Impact on the Plains (summer)

• Community volunteer review matters: Your application will be read by community volunteers, not just staff. Write clearly and avoid jargon; make your community impact immediately apparent to non-experts

• Geographic eligibility is specific: Confirm your service area includes one of the eight counties or specific ZIP codes listed. Organizations outside this area are not eligible

• Process improvements favor applicants: The organization has deliberately removed barriers and made the process more accessible, resulting in 3x more applications. Don't be deterred by past complexity

• Use support resources: Virtual office hours every Wednesday and open house materials are available to help you craft a stronger application. Take advantage of these free resources

• Strong relationships with leadership: CEO Peter Najera has 20 years of military leadership experience and values community partnerships. The organization is led by a team committed to advancing the common good in south-central Kansas

• Emphasis on equity: The Promise on the Plains program demonstrates United Way's commitment to addressing disparities in BIPOC communities. Even for other programs, demonstrating how your work promotes equity and inclusion may strengthen your application

References

• United Way of the Plains Official Website: https://unitedwayplains.org (accessed February 5, 2026)
• Nonprofit Investment Opportunities: https://unitedwayplains.org/nonprofit-investment-opportunities/ (accessed February 5, 2026)
• Opportunity on the Plains Program Page: https://unitedwayplains.org/nonprofit-investment-opportunities/opportunity-on-the-plains/ (accessed February 5, 2026)
• Promise on the Plains Program Page: https://unitedwayplains.org/nonprofit-investment-opportunities/promise-on-the-plains/ (accessed February 5, 2026)
• Community Investments Page: https://unitedwayplains.org/community-investments/ (accessed February 5, 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/480547688 (accessed February 5, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/480547688 (accessed February 5, 2026)
• "United Way of the Plains announces new president and CEO": https://unitedwayplains.org/united-way-of-the-plains-announces-new-president-and-ceo/ (accessed February 5, 2026)
• "United Way's $4 Million Grant Investment Brings Opportunity to Area Nonprofits": https://unitedwayplains.org/united-ways-4-million-grant-investment-brings-opportunity-to-area-nonprofits/ (accessed February 5, 2026)
• "United Way of the Plains Announces New Board Members and 2025 Chair": https://unitedwayplains.org/united-way-of-the-plains-announces-new-board-members-and-2025-chair/ (accessed February 5, 2026)
• Annual Impact Reports & Financials: https://unitedwayplains.org/reports-financials/ (accessed February 5, 2026)
• Our Team Page: https://unitedwayplains.org/our-team/ (accessed February 5, 2026)
• Frequently Asked Questions: https://unitedwayplains.org/frequently-asked-questions/ (accessed February 5, 2026)