Meet the latest cohort of Capacity Building grantees

The Foundation has announced this year’s final cohort of grantees for Capacity Building funding to support internal effectiveness and long-term stability.

This is the Foundation’s third round of capacity grants since launching a refreshed grant strategy in 2024, supporting about 120 regional organizations in building their capacity to impact economic mobility.

“Investing in the capacity of organizations is powerful because strengthening their people, processes, and structures also strengthens the communities they serve,” said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation.

Building organizational capacity isn’t just about growth. It’s about ensuring these organizations have the foundation and resilience to carry their missions forward.

— Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace
President and CEO

Capacity Building grants are intentionally flexible, designed to meet grantees where they are as they navigate complex funding environments. The grants aim to foster sound leadership, strong boards, professional development for staff, technology, evaluation, strategic planning, communications, and sustainability.

Applications for these grants open once each year.

Meet the latest Capacity Building grantees:

Ares CDL Institute
Capacity building support to expand CDL training by purchasing a driving simulator, upgrading curriculum, and strengthening staff and employer partnerships to meet rising student demand and regional workforce needs.

Avila University
Capacity building support to design and deploy AI solutions that increase overall student enrollment by leveraging predictive analytics and behavioral insights.

The Black MasterMind Group Charitable Foundation
Capacity building support to enhance the Launch/ReLaunch Program, an incubator initiative providing entrepreneurs with essential training and improved access to capital.

Cristo Rey Kansas City
Capacity building support to update digital infrastructure enhancing cybersecurity and technology for effective instruction and learning.

Cultivate Kansas City, Inc.
Capacity building support to provide tools, training, and access to land and markets for farmers aspiring to start and grow farm businesses.

The Downtown Shareholders of Kansas City Kansas, Inc.
Capacity building support to strengthen leadership, increase staff, and build sustainable infrastructure, expanding partnerships and accelerating revitalization for small businesses and residents.

Endeavor Nwa Entrepreneurs
Capacity building support to expand the Angel Gateway Program, beginning in Kansas City and scaling across Missouri.

Hub Argentine, Inc.
Capacity building support offering entrepreneurs affordable access to licensed kitchen space, equipment, and business coaching to help launch and grow food-based businesses.

Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council
Capacity building support for workforce development program operations and fundraising planning.

Kanbes Markets
Capacity building support to formalize a workforce development program that equips drivers with credentials, technical skills, and experience, creating career pathways from insecure jobs to stable logistics careers.

Kansas City Startup Foundation
Capacity building support to strengthen leadership and board development, as well as enhancing digital infrastructure by rebuilding the website.

Kansas State University Foundation
Capacity building support to develop a design curriculum and host real-world projects for eighth graders, expanding access to design careers for historically underrepresented youth.

Mid-America Regional Council Community Services Corporation
Capacity building support to conduct strategic planning and increase staff capacity in leveraging AI for data systems to enhance economic forecasting and workforce development initiatives in the KC region.

Missouri Chamber Foundation
Capacity building support to pilot and expand youth manufacturing apprenticeships, strengthening workforce pipelines and promoting economic mobility.

MoKan 20/20 Vision, Inc.
Capacity building support to build data systems and program enhancements to improve college persistence and completion.

National College Attainment Network
Capacity building support to strengthen organizational capacity through strategy research and development, facilitated planning, and updated communications tools.

National World War I Museum and Memorial
Capacity building support to upgrade the website infrastructure to prepare the museum and memorial to serve as a key destination for FIFA World Cup 2026 visitors.

Right To Start
Capacity building support to build an infrastructure consisting of tools for digital outreach marketing, grassroots engagement, partner organizing, customer tracking, data capture, and mass mobilization.

Strada Education Foundation, Inc.
Capacity building support to create a KC Playbook and update the membership model by embedding work-based learning credit for prior learning into a scalable national practice for how colleges, employers, and workforce collaborate.

The History Co:Lab
Capacity building support to enhance the ability to serve Kansas City’s schools, museums, and community partners by strengthening data, communications, and collaboration capacity.

The Philanthropy Roundtable
Support for an intermediary to engage in systems-level, field-building work within the philanthropic sector.

The Prospect KC
Capacity building support to strengthen hospitality workforce training through staff development, employer engagement, technology, and planning to prepare Kansas Citians for opportunities ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

University Academy Foundation
Capacity building support to conduct a formal evaluation of the college persistence programs, review operations, and provide development for staff and leadership.

University of Missouri – Kansas City
Capacity building to support strategic planning and operational capacity for KCUR 2.0.

Urban League of Kansas City Missouri
Capacity building support to modernize technology and enhance staff IT and cybersecurity skills, strengthening data security, reducing downtime, and supporting digital and AI skill development.

Women Leaders in Sports
Capacity building support to replace existing software with a modern CRM to streamline operations, strengthen data systems, and enhance efficiency and member engagement.

Young Women on the Move
Capacity building support to strengthen organizational capacity and long-term sustainability to transform from program-based delivery into an integrated hub for youth development.