Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods

Violence prevention starts with strong, connected communities

Grant applications for the 2026 cycle of Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods are open through March 13.

Please note: This program is open to only KCMO neighborhoods.

The third annual Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods program continues to build on our mission to empower neighborhoods by providing crucial support to advance safety and resilience within KC neighborhoods. Through the Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods program, participants receive the tools, resources, and guidance needed to develop impactful violence prevention projects that directly benefit their neighborhoods.

WHAT IS THE STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH OF NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM?

The Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods program is a ten-month initiative designed to provide programmatic support and resources for neighborhoods looking to advance violence prevention efforts. This program offers funding for both neighborhood-driven projects and a monthly stipend to program participants, ensuring their dedication is recognized and supported. Projects must have neighborhood support and be aligned with the goals of fostering safety, inclusivity, and long-term community health. By the end of the program, participants will have the knowledge and experience to make lasting change in their neighborhood.

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

Jan. 16, 2026: Program launch and applications open
Feb. 13, 2026: In-person lunch & learn info session *FOR FIRST-TIME PROGRAM APPLICANTS* Location: TBD, Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Mar 13, 2026: Applications due
Mar 20, 2026: Notification of acceptance to program
IF ACCEPTED: March 24, 2026: First program day

*Timeline subject to change.

Applications are being accepted until Friday, March 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Download the Guidelines + Application

Download the Board Minutes Template

Download the Board Votes Template

If applying online, please download and read the guidelines in full before starting the application.

Submit an Online Application

To submit in-person during business hours, please visit us at 3200 Wayne Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64109. For any questions, please email the program manager, Dajaun Hindsman, at dajaun@ccfkansascity.org.

Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods (STRONG) is a community-powered program that equips Kansas City neighborhoods to lead their own violence prevention work—through connection, collaboration, and care. In 2024, STRONG provided $334,629 in direct cash investments to 18 neighborhoods, supporting 76 events and impacting more than 3,500 residents.

Funded by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Health Department’s Violence Prevention Fund and administered by Community Capital Fund (CCF), STRONG invests in resident-led solutions that make neighborhoods safer, healthier, and more resilient.

Why start with neighborhoods? Because they are often the first line of defense for the challenges that affect Kansas City’s most vulnerable communities. When residents are empowered to take action, they can address root causes of violence—from lack of youth programming to disconnection and disinvestment—while building stronger bonds between neighbors.

STRONG supports the vision laid out in the Blueprint for Violence Prevention: a Kansas City where every person can live in a safe, supported, and thriving neighborhood.

How STRONG Works

STRONG is a ten-month program that provides:

Funding and monthly stipends to support neighborhood leaders and their violence prevention projects
Training and technical assistance to build capacity and leadership skills
A focus on connection, safety, and long-term neighborhood health

Each project is community-driven, rooted in trust, and designed to meet the unique needs of its neighborhood—especially in historically under-resourced areas of Kansas City.