Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation We work with communities to champion uncommon solutions that empower people to shape their futures and to be successful. House Rules: http://bit.ly/2IESaqB
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Everything we do is grounded in the generosity and love for Kansas City that Mr. Kauffman infused into the heart of our mission. Our vision, strategy, and partnerships embody his intent and commitment to the community. That is why we are dedicated to advancing equitable access to opportunity and spurring economic growth. We work in Kansas City, the surrounding states of Missouri and Kansas, and sh

are our learnings nationally. We champion organizations and communities that test innovative solutions and seek to change conditions. Our grantmaking to nonprofit organizations connects students, educators, families, and small business owners with practical solutions and resources to realize their ambitions. As a result, new businesses and a stronger workforce of skilled individuals drive regional economic growth and set us all on a path to greater financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity. We are a private, nonpartisan foundation. Our work is grounded in the principles of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion and is consistent with the aspirations of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman. For more information, visit kauffman.org and follow the Foundation on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

A strong relationship can change the trajectory of a life.That belief has guided Micheal Lawrence throughout more than t...
08/21/2026

A strong relationship can change the trajectory of a life.

That belief has guided Micheal Lawrence throughout more than three decades with Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City. As CEO, Micheal has helped broaden what mentoring can make possible, connecting young people not only with caring adults, but also with career exploration, internships, professional networks and pathways beyond high school.

We’re proud to celebrate Micheal as a 2026 Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award finalist.

Read Micheal’s story and learn how relationships are at the heart of his vision for opportunity:
https://bit.ly/3UctaAM

At the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council, Alana Henry is helping turn deep community knowledge into lasting opportunity.Under...
08/19/2026

At the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council, Alana Henry is helping turn deep community knowledge into lasting opportunity.

Under her leadership, Ivanhoe has strengthened its role as a trusted neighborhood anchor, bringing residents together around food access, housing, youth and senior services, financial assistance and community development. In a single year, the organization hosted more than 175 events reaching more than 2,200 neighbors, while partnerships across Kansas City have expanded the reach and staying power of its work.

"My strategy is always to solve today's crisis and build something that lasts." – Alana Henry.

We’re proud to recognize Alana as a 2026 Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award finalist, celebrating leaders who turn bold ideas into meaningful, lasting impact.

Meet Alana and learn more about the vision behind her work:
https://bit.ly/4xKRTdM

Strong communities grow when people have the opportunity to put down roots and build a future.That idea is at the heart ...
08/17/2026

Strong communities grow when people have the opportunity to put down roots and build a future.

That idea is at the heart of Brennan Crawford’s work as Executive Director & CEO of Build WyCo. By bringing together housing, homeownership, financial resources and community engagement, Brennan is helping create more pathways for Wyandotte County residents to build stability and wealth.

We’re excited to celebrate Brennan as a 2026 Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award finalist.

Read Brennan’s story and discover what drives his vision for his community:
https://bit.ly/4xM7yK5

Six leaders. Six stories of impact. One remarkable Kansas City community.🎉 Congratulations to the finalists for the inau...
08/14/2026

Six leaders. Six stories of impact. One remarkable Kansas City community.

🎉 Congratulations to the finalists for the inaugural Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award: Brennan Crawford, Alana Henry, Micheal Lawrence, Tysie McDowell, Kar Woo and Heidi Wooten.

Their work shows what’s possible when vision manifest as lasting change.

Follow our socials as we share more insights about the finalists, and learn more about the KUL Visionary Award on our website: https://bit.ly/4wO1XDt

The second quarter of the year passed in a hot flash, prompting us to take a moment to cool off and reflect on the recen...
08/11/2026

The second quarter of the year passed in a hot flash, prompting us to take a moment to cool off and reflect on the recent new beginnings at the Foundation.

We are pleased to welcome Michael Evangelist and David Ryckman!

Michael joined the Research, Learning, and Evaluation team as a Senior Data Officer, and David joined the Finance and Grants Administration team as Sourcing and Vendor Manager. Together, they have brought their expertise and fresh perspectives to their work at the Foundation.

Thank you to our newest Kauffman associates for helping us beat the heat this summer and keep up our momentum as we head towards the fall!

Not often enough do readers get a view behind the curtain of a story—a glimpse into the mind of the storyteller—so as an...
07/31/2026

Not often enough do readers get a view behind the curtain of a story—a glimpse into the mind of the storyteller—so as an epilogue to the Meet the Interns social campaign, we had to make sure we not only gave kudos to the one who carefully shared the journey of each intern highlighted on our socials this summer, but shared her story as well.

Meet Alex Potter: intern for the Strategic Communications team, where she has written and edited digital communications to assist in spreading the mission of the Foundation as well as supported the strategic retrieval of archival storytelling opportunities related to the Foundation’s service to the Greater Kansas City community.

"One way I’m improving myself this summer is by taking part in opportunities that will help me pursue a career as a young adult book editor," Alex said. "From reading Jane Friedman’s 'The Business of Being a Writer' and newly published young adult books to networking with local writers and publishers, I’m doing all I can to learn and grow as a young professional!"

We have been lucky to have received all the knowledge, support, and contributions from Alex and her fellow interns this summer. We wish you all nothing but the best in your future endeavors!

It’s a wrap! This summer, we welcomed 20 interns to the Kauffman Foundation. Over the last few months, they showed up ea...
07/30/2026

It’s a wrap!

This summer, we welcomed 20 interns to the Kauffman Foundation. Over the last few months, they showed up each day with the willingness to be curious, embrace challenges, and dedicate themselves to our mission.

Through their commitment to building relationships to attending professional development events and serving our community through volunteering opportunities, our interns have not only grown as young professionals, but as proud members of the Kansas City community.

From all of us at the Kauffman Foundation, thank you for an amazing summer! We look forward to seeing all that you can accomplish.

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From left to right:
Row 1: Brennan Ferguson, John Jacobson, Cerilo Yousif, Malika Kopbayeva, Eusavio Williams, Sophia Meyer, Brooklyn Farris, Ariella Allen, Alex Potter

Row 2: Sanika Saraf, Manoa Nicholson, Laila Troxler, Wendoly De La Rosa Almonte, Laura Benteman, Abby Kelley, Tamara Robinson, Bella Holloway, Stella Hughes, Annalia Escalante

Not Pictured: Anuva Kolli

This week, we celebrated Gloria Jackson-Leathers as she begins her retirement after 28 years with the Kauffman Foundatio...
07/29/2026

This week, we celebrated Gloria Jackson-Leathers as she begins her retirement after 28 years with the Kauffman Foundation. Surrounded by friends, colleagues, and community members, Gloria was recognized for the care, wisdom, and dedication she brought to our work every day.

Her fellow associates gifted her an open calendar, and she says it's staying that way...for now. 😊

Help us celebrate Gloria by sharing your well wishes in the comments!

We are mid-way through our Capacity Building grant application window, but we want to encourage organizations who are st...
07/28/2026

We are mid-way through our Capacity Building grant application window, but we want to encourage organizations who are striving to strengthen the systems, strategies, and people who make long-term impact possible to apply now to this $100,000-$250,000 funding opportunity.

If you're thinking about applying, but have questions, sign up for an upcoming “Ask an Impact Officer” session.

These aren't one-on-one conversations, but relaxed gatherings for group conversation with other grant seekers and Kauffman Foundation Impact Officers to learn more about the Capacity Building grant pathway.

We are offering in-person and virtual sessions:

- Monday, Aug. 3, 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the Kauffman Foundation
- Wednesday, Aug. 5, 3 to 4 p.m., via Zoom
- Monday, Aug. 10, 3 to 4 p.m., via Zoom
- Wednesday, Aug. 12, 3 to 4 p.m., via Zoom

Register now: https://bit.ly/4yL2sz9

The application deadline for Capacity Building grants is Aug. 13.

07/24/2026

Educators pour themselves into their students every single day. But who ventures to fill the cup of the educator?

With the support of the Kauffman Foundation’s first Collective Impact implementation grant, Teach KC and their partners are filling this need to the brim by addressing the long-term challenges education professionals face, such as teacher recruitment, retention, placement, and happiness within their school districts.

Over the next 10 years, the plan is to assist 1,500 new professionals as they enter the education workforce, showing that meaningful change is possible when organizations pour back into the cups of educators together.

In this video, Dr. Cokethea Hill-Woodard, Founder and CEO of BLAQUE KC, reminds us that supporting educators provides the foundation for quality education and future economic mobility.

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4801 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO
64110

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+18169321000

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