$2,500 awards for folks connecting Kansas City

Some people weave us together.

They are the folks most people know and trust, the people neighbors call when something needs to happen, a block needs organizing, a conversation needs facilitating, or a community needs care. They show up for others. They connect us. They are weavers.

You probably know one. You may be one yourself.

American Public Square is proud to partner with The Aspen Institute to bring The Weaver Awards to Kansas City and support these community builders with $2,500 or $5,000 awards, along with additional opportunities for connection, visibility, and learning.

What is weaving?

Weaving is the practice of building meaningful relationships that set the conditions for social trust to grow in communities.

It begins with a simple commitment: to see one another as equal in dignity, even when experiences and viewpoints differ.

Weaving invites people to:

• Discover what they have in common
• Learn how their differences can make the community stronger
• Work side by side toward common good.

Weaving can be formal or informal, and it is characterized by four qualities:

• Local: It brings together people who share the same neighborhood, town, or region
• Mutual: It celebrates everyone’s contributions and creates opportunities for everyone to both give and receive
• Welcoming: It invites people to join as they are
• Continuous: It builds relationships that deepen over time through ongoing engagement

What are the Weaver Awards?

The Weaver Awards recognize people who are building social trust by bringing neighbors together to tackle shared problems where they live.

Awardees receive financial support to strengthen grassroots work rooted in relationship-building, belonging, and local problem-solving. Projects might involve civic renewal, art, youth engagement, neighborhood gatherings, storytelling, public space, dialogue, or community care. What matters most is that people are building trust and connection.

Why are we launching the Weaver Awards in Kansas City?

Across the country, loneliness, distrust, and disconnection are rising. Many people feel isolated from their neighbors, disconnected from civic life, and uncertain about who they can rely on.

Kansas City is no exception.

At the same time, there are already people quietly doing the work of rebuilding trust every day. They host gatherings. They welcome newcomers. They organize neighbors around shared needs. They help people feel seen, connected, and invested in their communities.

The Weaver Awards are designed to recognize, support, and strengthen those efforts. APS believes healthier democracy starts locally, through relationships, shared experiences, and communities where people know they belong.

American Public Square is helping build a stronger, more connected Kansas City, one where neighbors know one another, trust grows across lines of difference, and more people feel a true sense of belonging.

Through our local Weave work, APS supports people who are already strengthening the social fabric of their neighborhoods. These are the quiet builders: neighbors, educators, artists, organizers, faith leaders, parents, and community members who bring people together to solve shared problems where they live.

What will you get if you become a Weaver Awardee?

Weaver Awardees will receive:

• A $2,500 financial award to support their project or community work
• Opportunities to connect with other local weavers and community leaders
• Visibility and storytelling support through APS platforms
• Invitations to gatherings, workshops, and learning opportunities
• Access to a growing network of people strengthening social trust across Kansas City and beyond

Who selects the Weaver Awardees?

Awardees are selected by a community-based review process that includes local leaders, partners, and individuals connected to the work of community trust-building in Kansas City.

Applications are evaluated based on relationship-building, community impact, inclusiveness, creativity, and demonstrated commitment to strengthening connection and belonging.

Who is eligible?

For someone to be considered for a Weaver Award, they must:

• Be 18 or older
• Live and serve in the Kansas City region
• Have a project that helps connect neighbors and foster relationships
• Ensure the project is open and accessible to the broader community
• Address a shared need or challenge in the community
• If connected to an organization, the organization must have an annual budget below $250,000
• Have a community recommendation from someone who lives in the area they serve

What makes a good candidate for a Weaver Award?

Strong candidates are people already doing the work of weaving community together. Some of the best weavers are the people who simply notice what is missing and start bringing others together to help.

Good candidates are trusted by their neighbors, rooted in relationships, and committed to helping people feel connected, valued, and included.

We are especially interested in people building bridges across differences, reducing isolation, and creating spaces where relationships can grow.

How can I use the funds?

However you see fit. Award funds can support a wide range of community-building efforts, including:

• Community meals or gatherings
• Supplies or materials
• Artist stipends or programming costs
• Space rentals
• Translation or accessibility support
• Garden, neighborhood, or beautification projects
• Storytelling or media projects
• Transportation or outreach efforts
• Small operational costs connected to the project

The funds should support work that strengthens relationships, trust, and community connection.

About American Public Square

American Public Square is a nonpartisan nonprofit based in Kansas City dedicated to improving the tone and quality of public discourse while strengthening civic culture and connection across differences.

Through public programs, civic education, dialogue initiatives, and community partnerships, APS works to create spaces where people can engage thoughtfully, build relationships, and tackle shared challenges together.

Reach out to us at Weavers At AmericanPublicSquare.org for more info.

About Weave: The Social Fabric Project

Weave: The Social Fabric Project is an initiative of the Aspen Institute dedicated to strengthening trust, connection, and belonging in communities across the United States. Weave supports everyday weavers—neighbors who show up for others, bridge divides, and build community. Through storytelling, online learning, community-building programs, and the Weaver Awards, Weave works to repair America’s social fabric from the ground up and lift up the people who are already leading this work in their neighborhoods. Learn more at weavers.org.

FAQ

Which regions are eligible?

We are accepting applications from Jackson and Wyandotte Counties.

Do I need to be a registered nonprofit?

Nonprofits with annual operating budgets under $250,000 are eligible for the award, or individuals who are sponsored by an eligible registered nonprofit.