Foundation relaunches grantmaking strategy to close economic mobility gaps September 13, 2024 Explore our updated funding approach, register for a webinar, and take our eligibility quiz, because the grant portal is now open.
Taylor Werner Taylor Werner is an investment analyst for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she helps manage the Foundation’s $3 billion investment portfolio. Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Werner was a portfolio manager with Commerce Bank. Werner earned her Bachelor of Science in business administration – finance from Kansas State University. She is a chartered […]
Solissa Franco-McKay Solissa Franco-McKay is executive director for Real World Initiatives (ProX) for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Reporting to the chief of staff, Franco-McKay provides leadership and implement policies and programs to ensure the Real World Initiative affiliate programs create learning opportunities for students through connections with local businesses, in alignment with the Foundation’s vision and […]
Frequently asked questions Grant strategies, focus areas, and types Funding timelines and amounts Applying for a grant What has changed? Additional help Grantee help desk Questions? Send a message to our grantee help desk, and we can direct your question to the right person. Please note: we do not accept applications to any of our grant types via […]
Awards The Kauffman Uncommon Leadership Award The Kauffman Uncommon Leadership Award is designed to honor leaders of organizations building a legacy of impact in the Kansas City region. Nominations should feature leaders who, like Ewing Marion Kauffman, reflect innovative, generous, and meaningful work in the community. Nominations will be accepted beginning in early 2025, and will […]
Grantmaking Grant opportunities We offer Capacity Building, Project, Research, and Collective Impact Grants on an ongoing cycle, as well as one-time Sunset Grants. Grants key dates and funding amounts Our grant types will be offered on this cycle: GRANT TYPE FUNDING AMOUNT APP OPEN DATE APP CLOSE DATE FUNDS DISBURSED FREQUENCY CAPACITY BUILDING $100,000 – $250,000 […]
Webinars Attend a grantmaking webinar We want to provide clear and concise information about our funding opportunities. Our optional grantmaking webinars provide a space for the community to hear directly from Kauffman Foundation leadership about this strategy and to ask questions. Oct. 1, 2024 (3:30 p.m. CT) Our approach to grantmaking, a Kauffman Conversation webinar Hear […]
Sponsorships Sponsorships are intended to support organizations and programs that align with our strategic priorities, which reflect the heart of our mission. Sponsorship guidelines Selection process Ready to start the process? We encourage all applicants to review our strategic priorities, sponsorship guidelines, selection process, and FAQs to learn more before applying. Answer a few questions to help determine if your […]
Our funding Our grantmaking approach Over the next 10 years, we are committed to closing economic mobility gaps in Kansas City. Our funding priorities & focus areas Strategic priorities Together with our community, we believe we can shift the landscape in three strategies — college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship — prioritized because […]
Our grant types Funds disbursed: starts Dec. 13, 2024 Frequency: twice annually Download application preview – for reference only [PDF] > Capacity Building grants are designed to address explicit organizational capacity needs that would strengthen or scale impact in our focus areas. A strong application will demonstrate how an organization has the potential to impact the Kansas City […]