United Way briefs Topeka committee on 2027 social services RFP: $491,904 recommended, applications due May 26

United Way of Kaw Valley presented the Social Service Grants Committee with the 2027 grant request-for-proposal and timeline on March 19, 2026, outlining funding priorities, scoring methodology and key dates.

"The United Way of Kaw Valley is a contractor, a vendor, on behalf of the city of Topeka to execute the grant process for the social services grants," said Brett Martin. Martin said the RFP emphasizes outcome-based funding for seniors, uninsured or underinsured medical assistance, at-risk youth prevention, emergency housing and utility assistance, and services for people with severe and persistent mental illness.

Martin reviewed application limits and exceptions: the minimum request is $10,000 and the standard maximum request is $27,000. Two exceptions were called out: Positive Connections has a maximum request of $35,000, and the Shawnee County Medical Society Health Access Program has a maximum request of $50,000. Martin reported the total dollars recommended for funding at $491,904, a combination of city general fund and community development block grant (CDBG) dollars.

On scoring, Martin explained reviewers "agree upon a singular score for each of these areas for each application"; total scores are converted to a percentage and multiplied by the applicant's request to determine an award. Awards are funded from the highest-scoring applications downward until the budget is exhausted; Martin noted that when only a small remainder remains, that remainder is applied to the next program even if it is less than the original calculated award.

Committee staff clarified federal contingency and schedule. "Usually, the amount is pretty consistent, so we don't expect it to change. But given some of the changes at the federal level, it is contingent upon us still receiving this funding," said Carrie, a staff member. Carrie added that HUD notifications are typically "about 6 to 9 months behind," meaning CDBG levels for a given calendar year are confirmed midyear.

Key dates in the schedule are: the RFP release on April 13 and an application workshop on April 20; applications will be due May 26. Organizations will be notified by June 5 if they fail to meet minimum requirements. Review of applicant recommendations will take place in June; the committee will meet the week of June 22 to review vendor recommendations. Appeals will close the week of July 6, with appeal hearings the week of July 13 or July 20. Final recommendations will be delivered to city council by Aug. 1 for inclusion in the 2027 budget.

United Way confirmed the vendor will secure three of five reviewers by May 12 and that the committee training on the grant process occurred at the March meeting. Chair Ortiz emphasized vendor staff are available to help applicants before submission and urged applicants not to wait until the last minute to seek assistance.

The committee adjourned after the briefing.