Dwane L. Wallace Youth Venture Grant

The Dwane L. Wallace Youth Venture Grant was established in 1990 by Velma Lunt Wallace in honor of her late husband, Dwane L. Wallace, former head of Cessna Aircraft Company. Velma set up an endowment with the United Way of the Plains to continue Dwane's legacy of supporting the community. The aim of the grant is to inspire and empower local youth by funding programs that benefit young people in the region. The United Way of the Plains administers the grant on an annual basis, providing funding for youth-focused programs. Each year, teachers, schools, and school organizations within the United Way of the Plains' service area are invited to submit proposals for programs that positively impact local youth. A total of $50,000 is available annually through this grant, with grants ranging from $500 to $7,000. The funding is intended to support a variety of youth programs, which may include after-school programs, youth development initiatives, tutoring or mentoring services, truancy and delinquency prevention programs, and initiatives focused on providing nutritious food and meals to youth. To apply for the Dwane L. Wallace Youth Venture Grant, applicants must complete an online application form by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025. A separate application must be submitted for each program. In addition to the application form, applicants must upload a completed budget template that outlines how the requested funds will be used. The program budget should be submitted in a .xls, .xlsx, or .pdf file format. The grant application also asks for a description of the program or service, including the need it addresses, the population it serves, the projected number of youth to be served, and the days and hours the program will operate. The Dwane L. Wallace Youth Venture Grant is open to schools, teachers, and school organizations located within the United Way of the Plains’ service area, which includes Sedgwick, Butler, Barber, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Pratt, Sumner, and Reno Counties. Applicants must ensure that their proposed program benefits local youth and falls within one of the designated categories, such as after-school programs, youth development, tutoring/mentoring, or gang prevention. The winners of the grant will be notified in the spring of 2025. The United Way of the Plains is available to assist applicants with any questions they may have regarding the grant or the application process. Interested parties can reach Logan Bradshaw, Director of Community Impact, at the contact details provided, including email and phone number.