Wichita ? Wichita State University will use a $1.2 million federal grant to help start faith- and community-based nonprofit groups in Kansas.

The three-year grant is part of $43 million from the Compassion Capital Fund awarded to 14 groups nationwide in early August. It is part of President Bush’s faith-based initiatives.

The WSU Self-Help Network has been contracting with nonprofit groups in Kansas for about five years. The network helps nonprofit groups write grants, form strategic plans and improve their leadership and organization.

New nonprofit groups may apply for help beginning in January, director Greg Meissen said. The grant will subsidize the fee usually charged.

“We’ll be working with new and budding organizations,” said Meissen, a psychology professor. “We’re particularly looking for ones with potential, but not a lot of practice.”

Jaime Lopez, executive director of Wichita ACTS, which focuses on fighting school truancy, said the network helped his group form goals.

“They even helped us come up with our name,” he said.