Grants

 

The law firm of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. established the Johnson County First Amendment Foundation in 1999 by donating legal fees it was awarded for its successful representation of a group of students who challenged the decision to remove a work of fiction from a local high school library. The Foundation, which is administered by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, uses its endowment to fund local and area programs that promote an understanding and appreciation of the First Amendment and other Constitutional values.

The Foundation is accepting applications for grants of from $1,000 to $5,000 to fund area programs designed to further the Foundation’s goals. Grants will be awarded to programs that are designed to educate, stimulate discussion and promote inquiry concerning Constitutional rights, without appealing to or promoting political points of view or partisanship.   

 

Scope of use and restrictions: 

  • Grants may not be used to pay salaries or provide compensation for the administration or management of the program.  
  • Grants may be used to pay outside speakers identified in the application, provided payment to the speaker is usual or customary.  Special honorary payments will only be approved in exceptional circumstances and must be specifically justified in the application.
  • Grants are for programs conducted before July 1, 2012. Grants not used before July 1, 2012 will be withdrawn.
  • Programs for which grants are awarded must present the First Amendment or other Constitutional right in a nonpartisan, non-political, and educational manner.  
  • Programs designed to address controversial social issues such as gay marriage, sexting or torture must be age appropriate for the target audience.

 

Items that need to be on the grant application:

  • Name and address of the organization seeking the grant and contact information for the person submitting the application.
  • Name of person or persons who will administer the grant and conduct the program.
  • Title and description of the program.
  • Age, size, and geographic area of the target audience.
  • Program budget.

 

Grant applications will be accepted via e-mail (info.jcfaf@gmail.com) or they can be mailed to:

Johnson County First Amendment Foundation
c/o Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
2555 Grand Boulevard, Suite 33021
Kansas City, MO 64108

 

Download a print-friendly copy of our grant instructions here.