Share: Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Together, we can build a better future for all peopleSign up for the Kauffman Currents newsletter and every week receive leading ideas, stories, research, and resources for action. I have read and agree with the Foundation’s privacy policy, which provides complete info on how the Foundation will use and process your data.* The Kauffman Foundation seeks to build inclusive prosperity through a prepared workforce and entrepreneur-focused economic development. We believe that to create equitable, comprehensive, and sustainable change, we must first listen to the communities in which we work, develop shared learning and knowledge, and bring people together. Let’s rebuild better, together. Explore our content Leading Ideas Stories Research Resources for Action Leading Ideas Explore other topics ^ CURRENTSFrom the CEO: Let’s commit to fulfilling the promise of our nation, togetherKauffman President & CEO Wendy Guillies writes that to create equitable, comprehensive, and sustainable change, we must first listen, develop shared knowledge, and bring people together. March 2, 2021From the CEO: Let’s commit to fulfilling the promise of our nation, together We have big issues that have divided us, [and] there’s a long way to go. But… the grounded, collaborative people with the ‘middle’ mindset will push us beyond our current view.— Wendy GuilliesPresident & CEO, Kauffman Foundation Student debt aversion, new non-degree pathways, and a changing value proposition between higher education and employment are illuminating a multitude of pathways to career and life goals for students of all ages.— Aaron NorthVice President, Education, Kauffman Foundation CURRENTSA vision for the future of student success is urgentOur education system must prepare students for learning, work, and life after high school in a rapidly changing world, which means the time to provide real-world learning opportunities – for all students – is now. June 13, 2019A vision for the future of student success is urgent currentsFor the economy to restart, everyone must have the opportunity to participateWe need new, alternative funding models that are inclusive and equitable – we must rebuild better and Capital Access Lab is a start. July 22, 2020For the economy to restart, everyone must have the opportunity to participate The harsh reality is people of color, women, and even rural entrepreneurs access capital to start businesses at a starkly lower rate than their white male counterparts.How can we rebuild better?— Philip GaskinVice President, Entrepreneurship, Kauffman Foundation Sparking the Entrepreneurial Spirit In partnership with Freethink – a creative media company focused on informing, challenging, and inspiring the next generation of leaders – we produced “Sparking the Entrepreneurial Spirit” to bring to life the economic opportunities created through real-world and entrepreneurial experiences for young people. WATCH: “Could Gen Z close the racial wealth gap through entrepreneurship?” | 5:14 KAUFFMAN CONVERSATIONSReshaping the future of work for a post-pandemic worldExperts in education, business, and entrepreneurship discuss how the global pandemic has magnified the need for more inclusive education systems and employment practices as systems adapt to rapidly changing workforce requirements. April 19, 2021Reshaping the future of work for a post-pandemic world KAUFFMAN CONVERSATIONSPandemic economy brings new urgency to building equal access to entrepreneurshipKauffman Vice President of Entrepreneurship Philip Gaskin and Kauffman Director of Engagement – Entrepreneurship Kim Wallace Carlson are joined by experts Tawanna Black and Brad Feld to discuss how to help more women, people of color, and those in rural areas start and grow businesses to rebuild a vibrant economy. November 16, 2020Pandemic economy brings new urgency to building equal access to entrepreneurship The dominant view has been that workers have to adapt to the way the corporation set the culture; it’s also about those institutions changing and transforming the culture and creating a culture that works for everybody, that respects everybody, that takes care of everybody.— Dr. Juliet SchorProfessor of Sociology, Boston College Stories Explore other topics ^ currentsStudents want someone to believe in them March 22, 2021Students want someone to believe in them currentsBecause of three coolers, Mildred dances on Saturday nights August 15, 2019Because of three coolers, Mildred dances on Saturday nights currentsThe lessons and legacy of Negro Leagues Baseball resonate beyond the diamond October 21, 2020The lessons and legacy of Negro Leagues Baseball resonate beyond the diamond currentsRural businesses strive to be destination known December 14, 2020Rural businesses strive to be destination known currentsTo tell the stories of overlooked entrepreneurs April 30, 2020To tell the stories of overlooked entrepreneurs CURRENTS2020 Uncommon VoicesAt the end of 2020, we asked some of the fascinating people we’ve had the privilege to work with recently to share their thoughts around systems change, new “normals,” how 2020 has impacted them, and what it will take to keep our communities moving forward, together. December 15, 20202020 Uncommon Voices currentsThe doors will not be closed on Black entrepreneursWhile the share of new Black entrepreneurs has steadily increased, the pandemic has dealt Black business owners, specifically, a blow that only magnifies the inequities built into the American economy. Black business owners in Kansas City, like entrepreneurs across the country, are managing the reality of now – and the history that got us here. November 17, 2020The doors will not be closed on Black entrepreneurs currentsAfter generations of disinvestment, rural America might be the most innovative place in the U.S.Rural leaders, governments, and philanthropic funders who aren’t afraid to break with long-standing assumptions about the inevitability of rural decline can leverage the potential, talent, and innovative spirit of rural America to build the new Heartland. December 14, 2020After generations of disinvestment, rural America might be the most innovative place in the U.S. currentsListening to the voice of Native America October 10, 2019Listening to the voice of Native America READER RESPONSEWhat systems-level change would you prioritize? October 8, 2020What systems-level change would you prioritize? currentsKnowledge into action: Education Fellowship serves community-driven leadership February 4, 2021Knowledge into action: Education Fellowship serves community-driven leadership currentsDecisions, decisions: why we shouldn’t take this basic practice for granted October 15, 2020Decisions, decisions: why we shouldn’t take this basic practice for granted currentsImpact beyond a diversity statement March 12, 2020Impact beyond a diversity statement Read all stories Research Explore other topics ^ REPORT Economic Engagement of Mothers: Entrepreneurship, Employment, and the Motherhood Wage Penalty What does entrepreneurship support mean for entrepreneurs who are mothers? And how can we support mothers’ access to opportunities to engage in the economy – and ease their access to opportunity through entrepreneurship? This report takes up the relationship among motherhood, caregiving, and the persistent wage penalty it carries for women, employment, and entrepreneurship. Read the full report > TRENDS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP BRIEF Who is the Entrepreneur? The Changing Diversity of New Entrepreneurs in the United States, 1996-2020 Is entrepreneurship becoming more diverse in the United States? This brief details trends in the share of new entrepreneurs by sex, race and ethnicity, age, and nativity in the U.S. between 1996 and 2020. Read the brief > REPORT Strengthening Knowledge Creation and Research in Entrepreneurship: Inclusion Matters How is diversity and inclusion relevant to knowledge creation and research? Various studies indicate that researchers’ positionality – the various identities they hold – has a substantial impact on not only research topics, but also the theories and methods that scholars develop and use. Read the full report > WORKING PAPER Entrepreneurship in Economic Crises: A Look at Four Recession Periods between 1978 and 2018 in the United States This paper highlights important patterns between employer startups (less than 1 year old) and employer firms 1 year or older, as well as between younger employer firms (0-5 years) and older employer firms (6 years and older) between 1978 and 2018. Read the working paper > Explore all research Resources for Action Explore other topics ^ INITIATIVEReal World LearningEvery student deserves to discover and pursue their real-world potential. By gaining immersive experiences across a multitude of interests and industries, learners gain the skills to navigate their future.Real World Learning Discover the future of learning > INITIATIVECapital Access LabThe Capital Access Lab is a national pilot initiative that aims to find, promote, and scale innovative investment managers, providing new kinds of capital to underserved entrepreneurs and communities in the United States.Capital Access Lab Invest in equity > COALITIONStart Us Up Now: America’s New Business PlanAmerica’s New Business Plan outlines a bipartisan plan for policymakers that is focused on creating new jobs and rebuilding a more equitable economy.Start Us Up Now: America’s New Business Plan Join the coalition > RESEARCH AND DATAKauffman Indicators of EntrepreneurshipThe Kauffman Indicators series offer in-depth measures, reports, and accompanying interactive data visualizations that present entrepreneurial trends in the United States.Kauffman Indicators of Entrepreneurship Explore the data > Stay connected