The Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) recently awarded a $25,000 grant to Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) to help promote chiropractic care for Kansans. The funds will be used to raise awareness of chiropractic to the public, and to promote the availability of chiropractic care at the Cleveland University-Kansas City Chiropractic Health Center in Overland Park, Kan. It will also assist with the promotion of CUKC’s services offered at outreach clinics for the underserved populations in the greater Kansas City metro area. CUKC was one of 87 grant recipients out of 206 proposals received by the KHF in 2019.
The funds are part of an annual program by the KHF called the “Impact and Capacity Grant Initiative.” According to Natalie Olmsted, program officer with the Kansas Health Foundation, this endeavor includes up to $2 million awarded annually by KHF, in increments up to $25,000, to healthcare-related recipients. Various groups and organizations apply to the KHF seeking funding. The mission for KHF is to support groups that will help improve the health of the state’s residents.
The KHF seeks out nonprofit groups and government entities or churches that share their mission, and whose proposals or projects have the ability to make an impact in one of KHF’s four focus areas:
• Access to care
• Healthy behaviors
• Civic and community engagement
• Educational attainment.
Natalie Olmsted, program officer with the Kansas Health Foundation said CUKC fit that criteria.
“Cleveland University-Kansas City is a respected teaching institution and the proposal aimed at building awareness of their ability to provide chiropractic care at the public Health Center on campus, as well as the outreach clinic locations (Caritas Clinic, and KC CARE Health Center), at prices well below what is usual and customary,” Olmsted said. “With the CUKC Health Center as a Medicare provider and the inclusion of a hardship discount based on poverty rate established by the government, KHF felt this was a great opportunity to assist in building awareness in order for CUKC to provide access to care for those who might not otherwise be able to pursue or obtain chiropractic care.”
The funds will be devoted to signage for the Health Center, promotional brochures for the Caritas Clinics and the CUKC Health Center, as well as a printed promotional piece for Ride KC, the Kansas City Regional Transit bus system. Those using Ride KC can schedule a stop at the Health Center on the CUKC campus, with advance arrangements. Each of these activities will aid in the messaging and promotion of chiropractic care as an option for Kansas residents.
Amy Piersol, vice president of advancement at CUKC, worked on behalf of the University to secure the grant.
“Cleveland University-Kansas City is thrilled to be selected as a recipient of this grant from the Kansas Health Foundation,” Piersol said. “These funds will allow us to increase access to the chiropractic services provided by CUKC in conjunction with our partner clinics that serve Kansas residents in the Kansas City metro area.”
The Impact and Capacity Grant Initiative is open for only four months each year. During that time, the KHF welcomes proposals from outside entities seeking funding. Organizations submit their application through the KHF portal, and submissions are reviewed by an internal team. Recommended proposals go on to the Board of Directors for final selection.
