Spark Tank Live!

Bold Ideas. Upstream Solutions. Stronger Futures.

Spark Tank Live puts great ideas in the spotlight—and fuels nonprofit work with immediate community investment.

As part of United Way of Reno County’s BOLD Goal to reduce the number of ALICE and poverty households by 5% over the next five years, Spark Tank Live showcases innovative nonprofit programs addressing the root causes of financial instability and creating lasting change.

On event night, four finalist organizations will take the stage to share their work with community. It’s an opportunity to discover the people and ideas making a difference—and help fuel what comes next.

Saturday, October 24, 2026

1861 Club | 212 Cottwonwood Ave, Hutchinson, KS

5:30PM - VIP Mingle with Non-Profit Finalists

Doors Open at 6:00PM, Program begins at 7:00PM, Dessert Reception and DJ at 9:30PM

Why Spark Tank?

Nearly 41% of Reno County households are living in poverty or are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). These are hardworking individuals and families who are struggling to afford the basics and build a path toward financial stability.

Reducing that number will take more than responding to immediate needs. It will take bold ideas, innovative solutions, and investments in the work already happening across our community—projects that remove barriers, strengthen families, and create pathways to long-term stability.

That's why Spark Tank exists. It's an opportunity to put resources behind the ideas and projects that have the potential to move the needle for ALICE families and our entire community.

Looking Back: 2025 Spark Tank Live!

View All Photos from 2025 Spark Tank Live!

For Applicants

Think Your Program Can Move the Needle?

Spark Tank Live is open to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Reno County with bold ideas, projects, and opportunities that help individuals and families build lasting stability.

You don't have to create a new program to apply. Your Spark Tank project could be a new program, an expansion or enhancement of existing work, a specific initiative within a program, a pilot, a one-time investment, or another tangible opportunity that could create meaningful impact.

Finalists will:

Bring their work to center-stage and shine a spotlight on the impact happening across Reno County
Build visibility and connections with community members, potential partners, and supporters
Pitch for funding to bring a specific project or opportunity to life
Help advance Reno County's BOLD Goal to reduce the percentage of ALICE and poverty households by 5% over five years

Questions? Please call or email Lacey Mills at (620) 669-9329 or lmills@uwrenocounty.org.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, organizations must:

Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Reno County
Propose a project, initiative, or investment that aligns with one or more of United Way's four focus areas: Healthy Communities, Financial Security, Youth Opportunity, or Community Resiliency
Demonstrate how the proposed project supports ALICE households and/or individuals and families living in poverty or addresses barriers to long-term stability
Show how the project can create measurable outcomes and meaningful community impact
Prior-year finalists may apply again, but must propose a different project or substantially different opportunity from the one previously submitted

Current United Way-funded partners are eligible to apply. Your Spark Tank proposal may be for a specific project or initiative within a program United Way currently funds, or it may be connected to a different program or area of work. Spark Tank funding must support a specific opportunity that is separate from the activities already funded through United Way.

Spark Tank Live finalists will have the opportunity to compete for funding to bring a specific project, initiative, or investment to life—while putting their work in front of community leaders, businesses, sponsors, and donors.

2026 Funding Awards

🥇 First Place: $10,000

🥈 Second Place: $7,500

🥉 Third Place: $5,000

⭐ Fourth Finalist: $2,500

Every finalist also receives:

The opportunity to pitch live before community leaders, sponsors, and donors
Increased visibility for your organization and the work you are doing in Reno County
New connections with potential volunteers, partners, supporters, and funders
A platform to showcase a specific project or opportunity that can create meaningful change for ALICE households and our community

Why Apply?

Spark Tank Live is more than a funding opportunity—it's a chance to bring a specific project or opportunity to center-stage, gain community support, and create meaningful change for individuals and families in Reno County.

By applying, your organization can:

Receive funding to launch, expand, strengthen, or bring a specific project to life.
Showcase your work before community leaders, donors, businesses, and supporters.
Increase awareness of your organization's impact and the difference you're making in Reno County.
Build new connections and partnerships that strengthen your work and expand your reach.
Put resources behind an opportunity that addresses barriers and helps ALICE and poverty households move toward greater stability.
Be part of a community-wide effort working toward United Way's BOLD Goal of reducing ALICE and poverty households by 5% over the next five years.

Bring us the idea, project, or opportunity you believe could make a bigger difference with the right investment. We'll help bring it center-stage.

Ready to Bring Your Idea to Center-Stage?

Have a project, initiative, or opportunity that could make a meaningful difference for ALICE families and our community? We want to hear about it.

Spark Tank Live is your opportunity to showcase your work, connect with community leaders, and pitch for funding that can help bring a specific project or opportunity to life.

Important Dates

August 3 – Applications Open
August 31 – Applications Close (Extended Deadline!)
September 30 – Final Four Finalists Announced
October 24 – Spark Tank Live

Your project doesn't have to be a brand-new program. It could be an expansion of existing work, a specific initiative within a program, a pilot, a one-time investment, or another opportunity that could help move Reno County toward United Way's BOLD Goal of reducing ALICE and poverty households by 5% over the next five years.

Ready to step into the spotlight?

Complete the application to be considered for Spark Tank Live.

Questions about the application process or eligibility? Contact United Way of Reno County at (620) 669-9329. We're happy to help.

Bring us your idea. Bring us the opportunity you see. Let's bring it center-stage. 🎤

Download the Application Here

Email completed application to lmills@uwrenocounty.org by August 31st, 2026

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Spark Tank Live is made possible by the generous businesses, organizations, and individuals who believe bold ideas can create lasting change.

Your investment empowers local nonprofits to develop innovative, upstream solutions that strengthen families, reduce barriers, and help move Reno County toward our BOLD Goal of reducing ALICE and poverty by 5% over the next five years.

Thank you for partnering with United Way of Reno County to champion innovation, collaboration, and a stronger future for our community.

Presenting Sponsor:

Illuminating Sponsor:

Spark Sponsors:

Become a Sponsor

When you sponsor Spark Tank Live, you're investing in more than an event—you're investing in innovative solutions that help families build lasting stability and move Reno County closer to our BOLD Goal of reducing ALICE and poverty by 5% over the next five years.

Your sponsorship helps identify, elevate, and fund nonprofit programs that address the root causes of financial instability through creative, upstream solutions. Together, we're empowering organizations to think boldly, collaborate strategically, and create meaningful, measurable impact for our community.

As a Spark Tank Live sponsor, you'll receive valuable recognition before, during, and after the event while demonstrating your commitment to strengthening Reno County. Most importantly, your investment helps turn bold ideas into real solutions for local families.

Join us in creating lasting change—because when innovative ideas have the resources to grow, our entire community benefits.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Carla Stanfield at (620) 669-9329 or cstanfield@uwrenocounty.org.