March 27, 2024 | Stories
In September 2023, Wagonmasters and contestants cooked as Wichitans activated our urban core to sample the best chili in the Midwest. The annual Wichita Wagonmaster’s Downtown Chili Cook-off raised more than $30,000 for local nonprofits.
WF announced in February that the Good Life Grants Fund, which is funded by proceeds from the Chili Cook-off, would benefit 31 nonprofit projects. The grants support a diverse range of programs, from gang intervention for at-risk youth to helping people obtain identification to apply for housing.
“Big thanks to the Wichita Wagonmasters Fund at WF for their contribution, which will provide hope and healing to people transitioning from the street life,” said Hope For Da Hood founder Beni Santibanez. “This gift will benefit single parents, at-risk youth, people in work release and active gang members who are taking positive action steps to transform their lives and minds.”
Established in 2012, the Fund has distributed more than $185,000 to organizations across the city that enable more people to “enjoy the good life” and promote the idea that Wichita is a great place to live, work and play.
Nonprofit |
Program |
|---|---|
| Ability Point | Youth Education Summer Socialization serves students 5-21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A $1,000 gift will help fund scholarships for students. |
| Alzheimer's Association | Alliance of Women for Alzheimer's Research and Education will host events to educate and raise awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support and research for women. A $1,000 gift will assist with event expenses. |
| Bread of Life | The food and clothing pantry provides groceries and clothing supplies to families, homeless or low-income residents. A $1,000 gift will help purchase food and clothing supplies for the pantry. |
| Club Parkinson’s | The exercise and wellness program serves those diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. A $1,000 gift will support the scholarship fund to provide transportation, subsidized membership fees and equipment to clients. |
| Down Syndrome Society of Wichita | Explore ICT Project helps adults with Down syndrome develop and maintain skills to lead independent and fulfilling lives. A $1,000 gift will purchase new computer stations for the program. |
| Family Promise of Greater Wichita | First Step to Housing Stability helps people obtain identification to rebuild their lives and apply for housing. A $1,000 gift covers the cost of documentation for 30 people. |
| Freedom Hooves Therapeutic Riding Center | An At-Risk Youth Program where horseback riding is used as therapy to serve those with disabilities. A $1,000 gift will purchase a larger saddle to serve adult and teenage clients. |
| Simply Hygiene (formerly Giving the Basics) | To promote hygiene and health, posters are placed in Wichita and surrounding area districts to make students aware of the free hygiene products in their school. A $1,000 gift will help print posters in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. |
| Hereditary Neurological Disease Centre | Recent growth in the nonprofit created a need for more tools to serve patients and families. A $1,000 gift will help purchase new printers for staff. |
| Historic Wichita Cowtown | The Empire House Players Melodrama Program spurs appreciation and accessibility for history. A $1,000 grant will help purchase production royalties, scripts and set supplies. |
| Hope For Da Hood | Gang and street violence outreach is provided to at-risk youth to transform the neighborhood in Wichita. A $1,000 gift will be used for food, clothing and supplies for the program. |
| HopeNet | Mental health services are made accessible to everyone, regardless of income. A $698.70 gift will provide new wireless access points to support telemental health services for clients. |
| ICT Food Rescue | The Upcycle Kitchen rescues food that results in meals donated to local nonprofits for the community. A $1,000 gift will help increase capacity for storing and serving perishable food. |
| ICT SOS | The Client Resource Center serves adult survivors of human trafficking. A $1,000 gift will be used for group activity supplies and art supplies to facilitate groups throughout the year. |
| Kansas Children’s Foundation | A trained facility dog at Wesley Children’s Hospital relieves stress and provides happiness to patients. A $1,000 gift to the program will support children, the life care team, doctors and family. |
| Kansas Humane Society | Pet enrichments help improve the physical and mental well-being of pets and increase their chances of finding a home. A $1,000 gift will provide shelter dogs with toys, puzzles, treats and other activities. |
| KyMel | Camp Hope and Camp SIBsational provide a place for kids with cancer and their siblings to connect with others. A $1,000 gift will purchase medical and activity supplies for the camp. |
| Midwest Battle Buddies | The training program equips veterans with service dogs at no cost. A $1,000 gift will help train five veteran/dog teams for one month. |
| Opera Kansas | A Windwagon-themed HMS Pinafore show will take place as part of Wichita Riverfest. A $1,000 gift will help with the production and Opera Kansas reestablish itself as a sustainable nonprofit. |
| Partners for Wichita | Hygiene bags are filled with items such as soap, lotion, deodorant and toothpaste. A $1,000 gift will help distribute these items to 30 organizations. |
| Outdoor Mentors | The Upland Hunting project plans to offer upland hunting opportunities for local youth at no cost. A $1,000 gift will provide 10 youth to go upland hunting. |
| Passageways | Veterans are provided food and education on groceries and meal planning to create a healthy lifestyle. A $1,000 gift will help with program expenses. |
| Raise My Head Foundation | A Life Skills Coach and Classes combat trafficking and help trafficked women reintegrate into society. A $1,000 gift will continue to pay for classes and support services. |
| Rise Up For Youth | Spring break college tours expose BIPOC juniors and seniors to college visits and educational opportunities. A $1,000 gift will support transportation for students and resources. |
| Safe Streets Wichita Coalition | Naloxone kits are distributed across areas of increased drug overdoses in Wichita to save lives. A $1,000 gift will install Narcan vending machines to dispense the lifesaving antidote for free. |
| Sleep in Heavenly Peace | No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town aims to build and deliver twin beds, mattresses and bedding to children in need. A $1,000 gift will purchase lumber, hardware and mattresses. |
| StepStone | Survivors of domestic violence and their children receive assistance for transitional housing. A $1,000 gift will purchase furnishings to create a more welcoming environment for participants. |
| Student Startup | Student Startup empowers teens to become entrepreneurs by learning to mow and providing free lawn care to those in need. A $1,000 gift will help students transport equipment to job sites. |
| The Treehouse | The Suspenders4Hope program provides an opportunity for staff, volunteers and clients to receive mental health wellness and suicide prevention training. A $961.35 gift will train 30 staff members and purchase the curriculum. |
| Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center | Survivors of sexual assault often need assistance with transportation, prescriptions and short-term assistance with food. A $1,000 gift will help with transportation, medication and groceries. |
| Wichita Family Crisis Center | Their new facility needs repairs, including the heating and air conditioning units in rooms. A $1,000 gift will repair the HVAC to provide a comfortable environment for individuals and families. |
