K-State Engineering Extension is a 100% grant-funded organization, receiving no state funds through Kansas State University. Consequently, we must apply for grants that are within our mission and area of expertise. Currently, we have projects that are funded through the Kansas Corporation Commission, the Department of Energy, and our corporate sponsors.
The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is our primary financial partner. None of our services would be possible without them! The KCC houses the state energy office, which administers programs and connects Kansans to objective information about energy conservation, energy efficiency, and alternative energy. The KCC is a recipient of the DOE state energy program grant, which is then used to fund, in part, the K-State Engineering Extension’s Kansas Energy Program.
The Department of Energy (DOE) provides funding to the state energy office through a DOE state energy program (SEP) grant. From its website, the DOE SEP provides funding and technical assistance to states, territories, and the District of Columbia to enhance energy security, advance state-led energy initiatives, and maximize the benefits of decreasing energy waste.
Enel has been one of our main corporate sponsors since 2019. Thanks to their financial support and volunteers, we are able to make the KidWind Challenge events more accessible and enjoyable for students and teachers and provide additional services With Enel's partnership, we also introduced hundreds of Kansans to the infamous "Sailcar Challenge" at the 2019 Kansas State Fair, provided equipment and supplies to teachers, and hosted educator workshops. Enel manages more than 1,200 power plants on five continents, including several in Kansas.
ITC Great Plains (a subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp.) began its partnership with KEP in 2022. With their support of the KidWind Challenge, we are able to provide snacks and lunches, as well as teacher stipends and travel reimbursements. ITC has also volunteered at multiple events. ITC Holdings Corp. is the largest independent electricity transmission company in the United States, providing transmission grid solutions to improve reliability, expand access to markets, allow new generating resources to interconnect to its systems, and lower the overall cost of delivered energy.
Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (KEC) began supporting the KidWind Challenge in 2022. Not only have they provided financial support to help make our events a greater success, KEC has also donated their time by volunteering at the KidWind Challenges. Formed in 1941, KEC is the Kansas statewide service organization for 26 electric distribution cooperatives and three generation and transmission cooperatives.
In addition to the sponsors listed above, several other organizations provide support in the form of their time, facilities, or funding. Our current KidWind Challenge sponsors are located on the KidWind Challenge page. Past sponsors can be found on individual event pages.
