Full STEAM Ahead for Early Childhood Learning! STEAM (Science, Technology Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) for Innovative Project Grants targeted for early childhood learning.
In BEF's 21 years of outreach in the Baldwin City community, the Innovative Project Grant program has been the organization's flagship funding initiative. This program puts extra dollars directly into the classroom and has allowed teachers to lean into their creativity and expertise in providing additional learning opportunities for students. As the educational data informs us, the hard-wirings of early childhood are extremely significant for establishing long-term educational success, and those neural pathways are nurtured through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) learning (Erol & Erol, 2023). Baldwin City USD 348's National Blue Ribbon Award-designated Parents as Teachers program, Pre-K programs and Baldwin Primary Center have each increased STEAM learning opportunities for our youngest students, and BEF would like to support these efforts with additional funding through the mechanism of our long-standing Innovative Project Grant program. (Article attached) M. & Erol, A. (2023). Reflections of STEAM education on children according to early childhood and primary school teachers. International Journal on Social and Education Sciences (IJonSES), 5(3), 493-506. https://doi.org/10

The Extension Council Giving Fund fuels youth programs, education, and community enrichment through trusted, resource-based initiatives—and more!
K-State Research and Extension Douglas County connects local, state, and federal partners to deliver education, youth programs, and community resources. The Giving Fund supports this vital work—helping us build a stronger, thriving Douglas County. Learn more at www.douglas.k-state.edu.

Help secure a permanent location for the Lawrence Farmers Market!
We're just $12,000 away from fully funding the next step in securing a permanent home for the Lawrence Farmers Market! We secured the majority of the funding for this feasibility study and community engagement with major support from the City and County. We must close the funding gap to keep these commitments and complete our feasibility study during the 2025 season—before World Cup 2026. Help us grow access to local food and support a thriving downtown by donating today. Be part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Sunrise Project requests support to compensate guest chefs to lead four of our free community meals.
Sunrise Project wants to work with guest chefs who would like to share their food traditions with the community! We strive to make our programs inclusive and relevant to people of all ages and backgrounds. Food is an integral part of culture and serves as a way to connect with one another and feel "at home." We would like to offer 4 community meals led by guest chefs that feature different culinary traditions. Each chef will be given a stipend for their time and energy and Sunrise Project will provide all food.

Upgrade of the sound system in the Community Room at the Watkins Museum of History.
The Watkins Museum seeks to improve the quality of the sound system in the Community Room by updating existing speakers and installing additional speakers. These upgrades will provide better sound quality and expand the range of coverage so museum program participants have a better experience.

Help us build more Tiny Houses with Peaslee Tech.
This program allows us to add affordable small unit supply for those who need it most and teach young adults job skills that will help us build housing for the future. Be a tiny home sponsor for $5,000 and we will name the house after you or a loved one. This house will serve as a safe space for those who need housing.

Please support Wheels for All - our new program designed to provide or restore equipment such as baby strollers, wheelchairs, bicycles, tires and essential auto repairs - to those in need.
Mobility is more than just movement; it's access, opportunity, and independence. Every day, we encounter community members facing barriers due to a lack of reliable or appropriate wheeled equipment, whether it be a parent needing a stroller to safely transport their child, a disabled person who requires a functional wheelchair, someone relying on a bicycle to get to work or school, or a family needing their car for daily responsibilities. The Wheels for All program will identify and assist them through our current local resource agencies' referral process. Our goal is to be able to bridge gaps by providing funding assistance to help with costs, based on assessed need, that these agencies are simply unable to cover. This initiative prioritizes low-income households and underserved populations. 100 Good Women has an almost 30 year history and a long-standing commitment to working with our local partners and service providers. With your support, this program can create lasting, tangible change, and will definitely help our community members stay mobile, connected, and empowered.

Help us put needed workforce housing supply on the west side of Lawrence!
We have received the majority of the funding for a large rental and ownership project, but we need a little more to get to the finish line. If you need a tax deduction and want to help create affordable housing in Lawrence, this is a great opportunity—as your donation will leverage another $7 for each dollar you donate—to allow us to use allocated subsidy and tax credit funding. The gap is $1,000,000 and any gift can help.