Funding from the Kauffman Foundation aims to deepen understanding of wealth gaps

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has awarded eight research grants for projects aimed at catalyzing the research and data field and deepening understanding of how to close wealth gaps. The work of the grantees is aligned with the Foundation’s commitment to grow equitable economic mobility in Kansas City, regionally, and nationally.

We’re proud to support this cohort of researchers working on the urgent and complex challenge of expanding equitable economic mobility. This funding is an exciting opportunity to expand understanding of the forces driving wealth gaps, which are persistent and expanding locally and nationally.

— Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, President and CEO, Kauffman Foundation

During the next three years, grantees will deliver high-impact research focused on increasing economic opportunity. For example, researchers will investigate how to improve access to occupational licensing in the Kansas City region, bring viable approaches to community wealth building from St. Louis to Kansas City, and broaden our understanding of how student debt affects entrepreneurship and innovation across the country.

“These research grants will generate knowledge on a deeper level of how wealth gaps are built and sustained, and what is required to dismantle them,” said Dr. Yvonne Owens Ferguson, chief research, learning, and evaluation officer at the Kauffman Foundation. “We are thrilled to support projects that will deliver powerful tools and insights to drive meaningful and lasting change.”

Across the portfolio, grantees will produce a range of high-impact deliverables, including interactive tools such as a scalable wealth gap simulation for Kansas City and a state-level visualization of the effects of opportunity hoarding. All projects will generate written products such as policy briefs and peer-reviewed articles, and will engage the public through presentations, podcasts, and convenings. Additionally, tailored workshops will bring insights directly to stakeholders.

This funding concludes the first full round of grants in the Kauffman Foundation’s new grantmaking strategy rolled out in 2024. The research grant opportunity will reopen with a call for proposals in summer 2025.

Media inquiries can be directed to Julie Scheidegger via our media contact form or by calling (816) 932-1180.

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