Key Takeaways:
- Promise on the Plains gives $2,500–$10,000 low-barrier grants to small nonprofits in Wichita.
- The program has supported boxing gyms, farms, after-school centers, and youth mentoring groups.
- Creator Abel Frederic blends his Haitian roots, law training, and community leadership to strengthen Wichita.
Abel Frederic grew up in a Haitian home in South Florida where faith, service, and hard work were everyday lessons. “We didn’t have much, but what we had, we shared,” he recalls. Those values guide him today as Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of the Plains and as the creator of Promise on the Plains, a grant initiative that has become one of Wichita’s most unique approaches to supporting grassroots nonprofits.
A Different Kind of United Way Program
Unlike traditional grantmaking, Promise on the Plains offers low-barrier grants—typically between $2,500 and $10,000—to small, often overlooked organizations that are already embedded in neighborhoods. Applications open in April, close in May, and recipients are announced in June after review by a volunteer panel.
“It’s not just about money,” Frederic explains. “We’re empowering groups that are best positioned to reach people we might never be able to reach ourselves.”
Since its launch, Promise on the Plains has fueled efforts ranging from boxing gyms that double as food pantries to farms bringing fresh produce into food deserts. Many of these grantees are one- or two-person operations—people wearing every hat, from executive director to janitor—who need capacity-building support as much as program dollars.
“Nonprofits are like businesses,” Frederic says. “Their product is impact—changing lives. They need resources to grow, just like any other business.”
Stories That Matter
The program has already reshaped lives and neighborhoods, with support for programs like:.
- CHD Boxing Club, run by Tracy Mason, uses the discipline of boxing to mentor youth while offering food and clothing to families in need.
- The Center, led by Bill and Michelle Van, expanded from summer programs to year-round services with Promise funding.
- Masters & Mentors Youth Enrichment, founded by Tony Ballard, uses chess to teach focus and resilience to justice-involved youth.
- Common Ground Growers and Producers, a family farm, chose community service over profit by delivering fresh produce to underserved neighborhoods.
“These are people with lived experience creating hope where it’s needed most,” Frederic says.
A Personal Journey of Equity
Frederic’s commitment to equity is deeply personal. He remembers being bused to a wealthier school as a child: “I only kept up because someone filled the gaps for me. That’s equity—filling gaps so people can compete.”
That perspective shapes his leadership at United Way. He sees Promise on the Plains not only as funding but as recognition for people often overlooked. His mother’s words remain a guiding principle: “The most powerful thing my mother ever told me was that she believed in me.”
More Than a Job
Frederic’s journey to Wichita has been unconventional. A graduate of Charlotte School of Law, he worked briefly in corrections before committing to nonprofit leadership. Along the way he cooked breakfast daily for his family, taught Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Fox Fitness, and carried his Haitian heritage with him through food and faith.
In Wichita, he has become known not only for his work at United Way, but also as a mentor, coach, and advocate for building a stronger, more connected community.
Looking Ahead
Promise on the Plains is still young, but Frederic says its success is already clear in the growth of organizations it supports. Watching The Center evolve from a small summer program to a multi-stream provider tells him the investment works.
“I will plant seeds for trees of which I will never feel the shade,” he says. “Promise on the Plains is how we make sure those seeds take root.”