When walkers, volunteers, loved ones and community members gather April 27 in Theis Park for AIDS Walk Kansas City, they’ll be part of the central event in a suite of events that raise money for the AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City (ASF). Satellite events include Mosaic Art Project, AIDS Walk Open, Party with a Purpose, and more.
AIDS Walk uses part of the money raised to finance grants for community organizations.
Eighty percent of AIDS Walk-related funds from pledges, satellite events and sponsorships go to the area’s four largest AIDS Service Organizations: Kansas City CARE Clinic, SAVE Inc., Good Samaritan Project and Hope Care Center. Ten percent of walk-related funds are held back for the next year and the remaining 10 percent goes to community grant recipients.
This 80-10-10 formula also applies to money raised from various other ASF fundraising activities. (ASF events separate from the AIDS Walk suite include AIDS Bicycle Cruise and World AIDS Day activities.)
To identify potential grant recipients, the ASF solicits applications each year from community organizations that provide “innovative, direct-service projects, including — but not limited to — education, prevention, advocacy, intervention and day-to-day support.”
John Pinkerton, ASF board president, said, “Annually we set aside 10 percent of our net income to support faith action groups, shelters and smaller agencies doing their part for the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and last year we distributed over $50,000. We have purposely made sure that the grant submittal process is simple. So check it out!”
Eligibility requirements include 501(c)3 nonprofit status, missions that match ASF goals and service areas within the five-county metro region. All ASF donations stay in greater Kansas City. To learn more about these grants or to apply, go to aidswalkkansascity.org/apply-grant. Applications should be submitted before June 1.
Last year’s awardees were:
Coterie Theatre
Calvary Community Outreach Network
Comprehensive Mental Health Services Inc. - Renaissance West
reStart Inc.
Associated Youth Services
Sheffield Place
Guadalupe Centers
ASF’s AIDS Walk steering committee includes Michael Lintecum, AIDS Walk event director. He and Josh Strodtman of Lintecum Group produce AIDS Walk, which is now in its 25th year. To participate as a walker or a team, or to pledge, go to firstgiving.com/aidswalkkc.