Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Opening Day at The K is one of the best days of the year! For the 22nd consecutive year, Kauffman Foundation associates have celebrated Kansas City Royals Opening Day and the legacy of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman, together, at Kauffman Stadium. Every year, we love to share the fun and civic pride that comes with experiencing a game at The K. On Opening Day 1969, Mr. K told the crowd, “If you do not believe I’ve been repaid in full for buying the Kansas City Royals baseball team by your wonderful applause, then you are sadly mistaken. As long as I live, this will be your team, forever and forever.” In honor of Mr. K, we work with roughly 68 youth-serving organizations and school districts on our annual Royals Ticket Giveaway. This year, the Foundation distributed 3,400 tickets to ensure that throughout the season young fans who might not otherwise have the chance to attend a ballgame can cheer on their hometown team from the stands. #KauffmanFDN #KansasCity #KC #CommunityEngagement #CollectiveImpact

The inaugural Economic Mobility Research and Data Forum laid the groundwork for continued collaboration to strengthen the Kansas City region's research and data landscape around economic mobility. The Foundation's Research, Learning, and Evaluation team, led by Dr. Yvonne Owens Ferguson, welcomed individuals from 26 organizations last November. “It was exciting to see our research and data-minded colleagues come together to discuss, network, and learn from each other,” Ferguson said. “The intense collaboration of the day helped to build the collaborative muscle needed to move our collective work forward.” https://lnkd.in/ecFQYqEn

Amy Unruh is now director of strategic communications for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. An experienced communications leader with a proven record in thought leadership and strategic communication, she began her new role March 3. “My work has always been about people, relying on the power of connection and strong relationships to move communities forward through listening and understanding,” Unruh said. “I’m honored to step into this role and look forward to deepening those connections with the community we serve.” Learn more about Amy: https://lnkd.in/geb29hp7

Get a first-hand look at Kauffman President and CEO Dr. DeAngela B.’s vision for investing in nonprofit capacity and creating space for coalitions of changemakers to dream big. These efforts support our 2035 goal of Kansas City becoming a national model for equitable economic mobility. Learn how two new funding pathways – Capacity Building and Collective Impact – are designed to help address significant gaps.?https://lnkd.in/e2UjB7Uz Candid?#KansasCity?#KC?#CapacityBuilding?#CollectiveImpact?#CommunityEngagement?#Philanthropy?#Funding?#Grants

Following International Women's Day, associates from The DeBruce Foundation and the Kauffman Foundation came together for a conversation centered on women in philanthropy at the Foundation. Moderated by Kauffman Foundation Chief of Staff Dr. Susan Klusmeier, the panel included our own President and CEO Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace; Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight, executive director and CEO of The DeBruce Foundation; and Susan Chambers, interim CEO of William Jewel College and Kauffman Foundation Board of Trustees. The discussion focused on opportunities for women in philanthropy and how women are shaping the future of giving. #WomensHistoryMonth

We recognize that nonprofits are navigating an evolving funding landscape, and in response, we have extended the application window for Sunset grants to June 30. This extension allows organizations more time to assess eligibility and explore this funding opportunity. Sunset grants are available to previous grantees who no longer align with our funding priorities. We offer these one-time funding opportunities to help long-term grantees transition to new funding sources or bring closure to projects that are ending. Learn more about Sunset grants and take our eligibility quiz: https://lnkd.in/g8CshHZ6

Here are more opportunities to join us at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Both positions are on newly formed teams within the organization, a Senior Director of College Access & Completion on the Impact & Strategy team, and a Senior Evaluation & Learning Officer on the Research, Learning & Evaluation team. We are all learning and growing fast. If you're up for a challenge, and the joy of working with immensely driven, intelligent, and mission driven individuals, check out the job descriptions at the following link:

Is your organization eligible for a Capacity Building grant? Learn more about this competitive funding pathway and the nonprofit organizations that are current grantees: https://lnkd.in/gAT7hivC PLUS: There's a newly added "office hour" from 3 to 4 p.m. March 31 at at Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, 9100 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO. Register at https://lnkd.in/evN55NMs Register at https://lnkd.in/g5YB2pb8

The application window for the Capacity Building grants is now open. These grants enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of non-profit organizations, enabling them to better achieve their missions and maximize their impact to close economic gaps in the Kansas City region. This competitive grant pathway is ‘short-term’, one-time funding. Thinking about applying? Our eligibility quiz can help: https://lnkd.in/gcPCZW-s PLUS: Join us for "office hours" from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. March 12 at The Mercantile, 501 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, AND from 4 to 5 p.m. April 1 on Zoom. Register now: https://lnkd.in/g5YB2pb8