Network Kansas

Grant Writing Basics
2025-11-17 13:30 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Online Event
The Grant Writing Basics course is suitable for people who have never written a grant (more than 50% of our students), and those who have a lot of experience and want to take a fresh look at their current practices.
More than 3,400 Kansans have been trained and found confidence and writing skills, resulting in more than $100 million of successful grants written in the first 18 months after they took this class. They wrote grants to support park improvements, walking trails, building restoration, leadership programs, arts, programming, festivals, and other community infrastructure.
Consisting of two (3-hour) online live sessions with many additional resources, this format allows writers to formulate their grant ideas into a grant proposal. Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share. Time for interaction with other participants is an important aspect of the class; even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after consulting with peers.
You will learn:

Sources of data for community needs
Where to find grants
Elements of a great grant proposal
Practicing the grant elements: Problem, Outcome, Activity, Evaluation, Budget

Additional information:

This online course has two synchronous classes. The class resource materials are available the week before and several weeks afterwards.
Enrollment is limited for each class, but we want to meet all needs; if the class is filled, please register on the waiting list.
Classes are recorded for later reference or classes missed.

For more information, please contact:
Nancy Daniels
nkdaniels@ksu.edu

Webinar-Food Security, Access, and Health Outcomes in Rural America: Challenges and Policy Pathways
2025-11-19 13:00 - 15:00
This webinar will focus on the everyday challenges rural communities face in accessing healthy and affordable food, and how these challenges affect health and well-being. We will discuss the impact of policy reforms, unique challenges such as food deserts, and strategies to strengthen rural food systems through partnerships, education, and innovation. Presenters: Bhagyashree Katare, Berdine Martin Food Economics Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University Krystal Hodge, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign NCRCRD webinars are open to all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate or need an interpreter or translator, please contact Mary Breidenbach (mabreide@purdue.edu) no later than 5 days prior to the event. Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access University.

Accessing Capital for Small Business
2025-12-16 10:00 - 12:00
Join Brande Stitt, Program Director for the Women’s Business Center, as she walks us through where entrepreneurs get their money. Learn what types of businesses are launched, and how they were funded.
You will learn to ask yourself these important questions:
How much money do I need?
What type of business do I have?
What type of capital is most appropriate?
You will learn how to prepare to raise debt (borrow money) or equity capital (give up a share of your business.)
Brande Stitt currently serves as Program Director for the Women’s Business Center in Fairway, Kansas. The WBC helps develop, mentor and fund women led businesses. She previously served as the Network Builder for KCSourceLink and Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Brande received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Drury University in Springfield, Mo., and a Masters of Education in community/agency counseling from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Please connect at least 5 minutes in advance to be sure you have a good connection. The webinar begins promptly at 10:00 AM CT/ 9AM MT/ 8AM PT and concludes by 12:00 PM CT/ 11AM MT/ 10AM PT.

Rural Grocery Specialist
2026-01-19 10:00 - 12:00
Supporting rural grocers in business transition planning is essential to keeping the benefits of hometown grocery stores in rural communities. The Rural Grocery Transition Specialist program trains and deploys resource professionals across the country to better serve rural grocers through business transitions.

Who: This course is designed for Extension professionals, economic developers and other resource providers who support rural grocers and rural community vitality across the country.
Participants will gain: Strategies for building relationships with grocery store owners and managers, understanding of transition planning and business valuation concepts, and tools to support grocery store transitions. In addition, participants will join a national network of professionals dedicated to supporting rural communities.
Format: This course contains seven online modules that include homework assignments and interactive discussion boards, paired with guided learning through four required 1.5 to 2-hour synchronous virtual meetings.
Taught by: Composed of 18 professionals from across the country, the teaching team has a wide a range of expertise related to business transition planning and rural grocery.
