The events of 2020 have been challenging, and have impacted no industry harder than public education, with many schools and families still struggling to find computers and access to the internet for their students. It is our belief that every student in Kansas City deserves equal opportunity to learn and for this reason, SchoolSmartKC and partners have created the KC Schools Technology and Connectivity Access Fund – which is launching with start-up funds provided by the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City – to support high poverty students by ensuring every student has a device and the internet connectivity necessary for virtual learning.
We know that technological inequity exists in many school districts in our area, so we are making this fund available to any traditional school district or charter school system in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area that serves over 50% free and reduced-price lunch students. Our goal is that, through this initiative, 95% of students in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area will have access to a device and internet connectivity.
SchoolSmartKC intends to release funding as quickly as possible, using the prism of equity and need and ensuring optimal use of these resources. Applications for funding will be submitted via this webpage beginning Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at 12:00 PM CST.
Application Process
Due to the volume of applications already received, the KC Schools Technology and Connectivity Access Fund is not accepting new applications at this time. Funding will be distributed in the coming weeks.
Donate to the Fund
We are seeking donations for the fund to ensure all students are able to have the tools needed to learn in this new environment. All contributions to SSKC are tax deductible, and 100% of money donated goes to schools facing need.
If you are interested in contributing you can mail checks to: 3105 Gillham, Kansas City, Missouri, 64109.
If you would like to learn more about the fund, or would like to arrange an electronic transfer, please contact: jeaster@schoolsmartkc.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Any traditional school district or charter school system in the Kansas City Area that serves over 50% free and reduced-price lunch are eligible to apply.
Any applicant that receives funds must have in place a virtual learning plan outlining its approach to remote instruction. This plan for implementation of virtual learning and instruction describes approaches to be used both during mandatory state or city closures and also during the course of normal school operations. The plan shall include an overview of the schools approach for providing instructional supports, strategies used to assist families and students in the virtual environment, particularly those more vulnerable, and how the school will maintain its IT infrastructure and provide help desk support.
Applications will be reviewed and funding will be distributed on a regular basis based on availability. Initial funds should be awarded before the end of August 2020.
The application process will remain open until all funding has been committed. However, we encourage applicants to submit their application as soon as possible, as SSKC will begin distributing funding as soon as possible.
A set amount of $300 per device (computer or tablet) or internet hotspot is available to applicants for each student that does not have access to a device or internet connectivity.
No. This fund is restricted for student devices only at this time.
Both approvals of grants and notifications that we cannot fund proposals will be sent by SSKC staff through email to the contact address provided in the grant application.
For those that have been approved for funding, you will be provided a short form grant agreement and we will ask you for ACH wiring information and a W-9 that will be required for our distribution of funds. Initial payments under grant agreements should be made within one week of receipt of a signed grant agreement.
School Smart KC, Inc.
3105 Gillham Rd., Suite 200
Kansas City, MO 64109
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