Startup Assets for
Economic (SAFE)
Opportunity

The application and award period for this grant program is closed. Grantees are currently participating in workshops to build their skills as business owners. A fourth-round has not yet been announced. Sign up for updates if you are interested in new rounds of SAFE.

The Startup Assets for Economic (SAFE) Opportunity entrepreneurship grant program was administered by the Community Capital Fund (CCF), in partnership with the City of Kansas City, Mo. Health Department. The SAFE Opportunity grant program awarded microgrants ranging from $500 to $2,000 on an incremental basis to residents of Kansas City’s LifeX zip code area. The project provided support to the development of small business startups and is rooted in an asset-based approach to community economic development.

SAFE Opportunity provided funds to grantees to directly support asset purchases related to their small business ventures. From supplies and equipment to training and certification expenses, to startup expenses like registration and business license fees, the program supported developing new and aspiring entrepreneurs, while lowering individuals’ risk for involvement in violent activities, and increasing household income and financial stability.

Para obtener ayuda en español, comuníquese con Velia Calcara al grants@ccfkansascity.org.

 

Learn more. 

RECENT UPDATES for SAFE

BACKGROUND on SAFE

SAFE Opportunity is the first initiative of the KC Blueprint for Violence Prevention and a Safe and Healthy Community for violence prevention and a safe and healthy community, which addresses how to fight violence in Kansas City from youth through adulthood through social gateways instead of primarily through law enforcement. Sixty local organizations contributed to the program with their input. The Kansas City Health Department, Violence Free Kansas City Committee and the Health Commission plan to work with organizations across the city to implement it in a number of sectors including health, faith, education, business and more. The Kansas City Council approved KC Blueprint for immediate adoption on July 16, 2020.

 

KEY MILESTONES for SAFE

The Business Briefing Workshops are for grantees that were awarded funds during round three of this grant program.

  • November 15, 2021 – SAFE Opportunity grant application period opened

  • November 22, 2021 – 1st Grant Information Session (12:00 p.m.)

  • December 1, 2021 – 2nd Grant Information Session (10:00 a.m.)

  • December 4, 2021 – Applications due by 5:00 pm (CST)

  • December 20, 2021 – Applicants notified of the award or non-award

  • January 8, 2022 – 1st Business Briefing Workshop

  • January 15, 2022 – 2nd Business Briefing Workshop

  • January 22, 2022 – 3rd Business Briefing Workshop

  • January 29, 2022 – 4th Business Briefing Workshop

  • February 5, 2022 – 5th Business Briefing Workshop

  • February 12, 2022 – 6th Business Briefing Workshop

  • February 26, 2022 – 7th Business Briefing Workshop

  • March 12, 2022 – Commencement 

  • March 2022–October 2022 – Monthly Check-In’s + Reporting

Screen Shot 2020-08-19 at 12.38.18 PM.png

SAFE Opportunity is the first initiative of the KC Blueprint for Violence Prevention and a Safe and Healthy Community, which addresses how to fight violence in Kansas City from youth through adulthood through social gateways instead of primarily through law enforcement. Sixty local organizations contributed to the program with their input. The Kansas City Health Department, Violence Free Kansas City Committee and the Health Commission plan to work with organizations across the city to implement it in a number of sectors including health, faith, education, business and more. The Kansas City Council approved KC Blueprint for immediate adoption on July 16, 2020.