There are two programs JLW uses to implement project proposals: Full Projects and Done in a Day (DIAD) Projects.
Full Projects are usually one year in length, allowing JLW to implement more than one Full Project during the same year. Our funds can be used to support programs that touch on one of our seven position statements. Full Projects must include both financial and volunteer components and be sustainable by the community agency beyond the funding and volunteer support of JLW.
The second program for implementation of project proposals is Done in A Day (DIAD). DIAD Projects involve short term, one-day volunteer opportunities for our JLW volunteers, plus funding support, and must address a community need which fits within our mission. Some examples of past DIAD projects are:
• League members gathered their families, rakes, shovels and lawn mowers and went to work on Senior Services’ (an agency that helps older people live independently) Spring Cleanup. From 8 a.m. to noon about 30 volunteers cleaned three yards. They also bought and decorated flower pots for the seniors to enjoy.
• JLW volunteers gathered infant and toddler supplies at small group meetings and used them to throw a “baby shower” for the Wichita Children’s Home. The items were delivered the following Saturday and the donations filled the Home’s storage closet.
• League members “Stocked the Pantry” at two area Ronald McDonald House Charities by purchasing toys, books, DVDs, food items, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. 15 JLW volunteers at each of the two homes cleaned and organized the storage places.
JLW is also soliciting funding proposals for its Endowment Fund. Each year, grants are made which provide financial assistance for targeted needs in the community. The typical allocation is between $100 and $1000, and grants are given throughout the current JLW year. This option does not include a volunteer component.
New this year is a volunteer opportunity which partners JLW’s top notch volunteers with local non-profit organizations. JLW is currently accepting applications for new non-profit partners and will select 8-10 non-profit organizations for a one-year commitment (July 2011 to June 2012). During this year-long commitment, Junior League members will be encouraged to select from this list of non-profits partners and sign-up to assist as schedules permit. Members can volunteer for as many community partners as they wish as many times as they wish. Although the Junior League will not be able to fulfill all volunteering needs of every community partner, our members will strive to assist all of our partners to the greatest extent possible.
Through this program, JLW volunteers will assist community partners in the day-to-day operations of their organizations and with special events. This past year, JLW volunteers spent time donating blood, organizing food pantries and clothes closets, assisting in a children’s home, building homes, serving meals and assisting laid-off workers.
Also available, if your organization has a one time volunteer opportunity or would like to advertise board opportunities or employment opportunities throughout the year, is advertising through JLW’s monthly electronic newsletter, the Non-Profit News. The purpose of this newsletter is to let JLW members know of area non-profit opportunities. While this newsletter cannot include advertising of fundraising opportunities, requests for volunteers for a fundraising event are considered. If your organization has volunteer, employment, and/or board opportunities for this publication, email brief submissions for consideration to JLW Director of Community Relations Christine Voncannon at christinevoncannon@yahoo.com, by the 28th of each month for the following month’s Non-Profit News.
Please join us for “Partnering with the Junior League of Wichita,” an informational seminar, on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, from 3-5 p.m. at JLW Headquarters (address below). This will be an opportunity to learn more about all opportunities for partnering with JLW. Please RSVP by calling League Headquarters at 316-682-7473 or by emailing laura.thatcher25@yahoo.com by Monday, August 16th, 2010.
Download Community Project Proposal Application Form.
Download Community Partners Proposal Application Form.
Please submit all requests for assistance in writing to:
Laura Bianco, Project Development Chair
Junior League of Wichita, Inc.
6402 East 12th Street
Wichita, KS 67206
Again, the deadline for requests is Friday, September 17, 2010. The JLW Project Development Committee will review all requests, and respond no later than November 30, 2010.