The Evergy Community Investment Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation (WCF) is granting $246,683 total to six Wichita nonprofits serving zip codes 67208, 67214 and/or 67219. The funded projects will support either community and environment enhancement or youth enrichment and development.

“These projects, ranging from virtual education to housing solutions, will have a positive effect on our community that will be felt for years to come,” said WCF President and CEO Shelly Prichard.

Evergy invested $1 million to establish the Fund at WCF in 2019. Applications were reviewed and selected by the Evergy Community Investment Advisory Board, consisting of 11 individuals who live, work and/or serve in Wichita’s District 1.

“Evergy congratulates and proudly supports this year’s grantees,” said Jeff Beasley, Evergy vice president, customer operations. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact they make in their community.”

The 2020 grants will support the following projects:

Community and Environment Enhancement

Heartland Wichita Black Chamber of Commerce | $75,000

Implement an apprenticeship program to improve education, housing, skills and beautification of the neighborhood

University Lutheran Ministry Association | $5,000

Expand the community garden at Fairmount Coffee and grow an educational gardening program

Wichita Habitat for Humanity | $30,000

Partner with homeowners in specified zip codes to perform repairs on homes

Youth Enrichment and Development

It Takes a Village | $36,683

Provide programs aimed to improve self-sufficiency, education, life skills and preventive and health behaviors

The Seed House ~ La Casa de la Semilla | $50,000

Offer Progeny 2020, a youth/adult partnership focused on reimagining the juvenile justice system

Urban Preparatory Academy | $50,000

Equip students in specified zip codes with laptops set up with educational programming

“This generous grant is a catalyst of change,” said It Takes a Village Executive Director and CEO Terry Atwater. “Thank you to Evergy and the Evergy Community Investment Fund for your grant to It Takes A Village, Inc., which will allow us to improve the well-being of foster care teens by focusing on self-sufficiency, education, life skills, and preventive and healthy behaviors.”

The $1 million gift to WCF is a multi-year investment from Evergy to impact Northeast Wichita.

Applications for 2021 will be available later this year at wichitacf.org.