Blog

Taking the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) exam can be a scary thought for many. Bad memories of past standardized test experiences, fear of failure, not knowing where to start, or lack of time may be reasons that are holding you back from taking the GPC exam. Earlier this year, I was in your shoes, because I took the GPC exam in July 2022. Let me help turn the big scary beast-the GPC exam-into a nice friendly teddy bear, figuratively at least.

Winning Wednesday! The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services recently announced awards for the fiscal year 2022 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) Planning, Development, and Implementation grants. The purpose for this program is to help transform community behavioral health systems and provide comprehensive, coordinated behavioral health systems by establishing new CCBHC programs. Assel Grant Services (AGS) worked with multiple client teams to prepare eight applications. As they say, you reap what you sow, and AGS’s busy spring alongside exceptional clients created the perfect environment for success. Of the programs awarded, AGS assisted six of these organizations with applications that received $19,786,522 in funding over four years. In addition, $2,952,874 was awarded on the Missouri side of Kansas City to address community crisis response. We are thrilled to see what these organizations will accomplish for our community in the coming years!

Kansas City University (KCU) recently received a grant for $1,478,351 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to support project ENRICH (Educational Navigation for Rural and Interprofessional Community Health). The project’s aim is to improve the oral health of people in vulnerable, underserved, and rural communities by graduating primary care clinicians (dentists and primary care physicians) who can deliver dental services. Project outcomes include recruiting, matriculating, and graduating primary care dentists who themselves represent populations historically underserved, and who will deliver patient-centered dental care in rural and underserved communities.

National Endowment for the Humanities – Public Humanities Projects Attention humanities professionals! The National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) recently opened applications for the Public Humanities Projects program to bring ideas and insights of the humanities to life for general audiences. The NEH seeks projects that engage humanities scholarship to analyze significant themes in history, literature, ethics, and art history. Projects may include in-person, hybrid, or virtual programming. Applications for this program are due January 11, 2023.

Kansas City Actors Theatre, Inc. (KCAT) was recently awarded a $14,603 grant from the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) to support their 18th production season. KCAT’s mainstage shows in the coming season will continue to be produced at the City Stage in historic Union Station. This season, Kansas City Actors Theatre will be operating a 5-show season for the first time. In Season 18 (April 2022 – March 2023), KCAT will produce five live, in-person productions. The Season 18 lineup continues to speak to the guiding principles of classic and contemporary-classic theatre produced by the best local theatrical artists.

Girls in the Know was recently awarded a $2,500 grant from The Pott Foundation to support its school-based program, which targets girls facing adversity. The Pott Foundation’s funding will support school-based programming during the 2022-2023 academic year. The Pott-funded Empowerment Workshop Series will reach approximately 30 preteen girls enrolled in St. Louis City schools, primarily in the St. Louis Public School (SLPS) system, and 600 girls overall throughout the St. Louis region during the grant program. GITK will deliver the Empowerment Workshop Series on healthy relationships and development to pre-teen girls and their trusted adult that includes educational components and hands-on activities.

United States Department of Agriculture Attention broadband providers, local governments and officials, and cooperatives! The Rural Utilities Service, an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is accepting proposals for its Rural eConnectivity Program. This program provides loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. By facilitating the expansion of broadband services and infrastructure, the program will fuel long-term economic development and opportunities in rural America. Applications may be submitted beginning September 6, 2022, through November 2, 2022.

Department of Transportation Attention government officials, metropolitan planning organizations, and non-profits! The Department of Transportation (DOT) is now accepting proposals for its Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant program. The program provides technical assistance and grant funding for planning and capital construction to address infrastructure barriers, restore community connectivity, and improve people’s lives. Applications for this program are due October 13, 2022.

Health Resources and Services Administration Attention institutions of higher education and community colleges in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields! The National Science Foundation (NSF) is now accepting proposals for its Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) program. The goals of the program are to enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education and to increase the recruitment, retention, and graduation rate of students pursuing degrees in STEM. Applications for this program are due September 30, 2022.