WDDC RECEIVES RECOGNITION GRANT FROM KANSAS HEALTH FOUNDATION

The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC) has been awarded an $18,000 grant through the Kansas Health Foundation's Recognition Grants program. This money will help support the City of Wichita's participation in Portland State University's Urban Sustainability Accelerator Program.

Jeff Fluhr, President of the WDDC stated, "We were thrilled when Wichita was selected along with six other communities from across the country to participate in this program.  It will provide expertise and enhance efforts to maximize opportunities with current development initiatives. The WDDC is partnering with the City of Wichita in implementing Project Downtown: The Master Plan for Wichita. The plan is built upon design principles that promote enhanced walkability and connectivity within the urban core. This is a dynamic time in Downtown's development and as a community we are capitalizing on every resource to cultivate a vibrant economic center for the region."

Recognition Grants expand the Kansas Health Foundation's support to a broad range of health-related organizations throughout the state. The program is targeted for organizations and agencies proposing meaningful and charitable projects or initiatives that fit within the Foundation's mission of improving the health of all Kansans. In addition to supporting projects, the Foundation also seeks to support initiatives that focus on promoting policy, systems and environmental transformations that support health.

"Each year we are amazed at the incredible projects being done by organizations across Kansas," said Steve Coen, President and CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation. "This grant program allows us to support these innovative and impactful community initiatives and recognize the groups and individuals making them a reality."

This spring, the Kansas Health Foundation provided more than $830,000 through this program to help organizations accomplish 50 different projects intended to improve the health and wellness of Kansans.  Using a competitive application process, the Foundation allocates up to $2 million each year for the Recognition Grants program. Application deadlines for the two cycles are March 15 and September 15 each year. Any tax-exempt, nonprofit organization using the money for charitable purposes and proposing a project meeting the Foundation's mission to improve the health of all Kansans is eligible.

About the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation

The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation is a private 501(c)3, not-for-profit corporation that works closely with the private sector and local government to stimulate new investment and interest in Downtown Wichita. For more information visit www.downtownwichita.org.

About the Kansas Health Foundation

The Kansas Health Foundation is a private philanthropy based in Wichita, but statewide in its focus. Its mission is to improve the health of all Kansans. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.kansashealth.org.