The RFA opens January 12, 2026 and closes February 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Ben Clouse is chief financial officer and a member of the CEO’s Cabinet for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. He oversees the Foundation’s financial management, planning, and reporting functions, ensuring resources are effectively aligned to support programmatic and strategic priorities. He also plays a critical leadership role in building systems that promote transparency, accountability, and […]

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has announced five finalists for the Uncommon Leader Impact Award, celebrating individuals who demonstrate bold, creative, and inclusive leadership across the Kansas City region. Selected from a distinguished group of twelve semifinalists, these leaders embody the spirit of Ewing Kauffman’s uncommon leadership through their innovation, courage, and impact in their communities. Each of […]

Clouse will serve as a key member of the Foundation’s leadership cabinet, guiding financial strategy, stewardship, and operational excellence to advance the Foundation’s mission of fostering equitable, inclusive, and sustainable prosperity.

Twelve semifinalists have been named for the inaugural Kauffman Uncommon Leader Impact Award, presented by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The 12 semifinalists will be narrowed to a top 5 next month in preparation for a Dec. 11 celebration, where the winner will be announced and awarded $50,000 personally and $100,000 for their nonprofit organization.  […]

Tess Hart is an evaluation and learning officer in Research, Learning, and Evaluation for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she supports grantmaking program evaluation and leverages evaluation and learning platforms and tools to inform program assessment. Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Hart worked at Social Solutions International, where she coordinated the monitoring, evaluation, […]

Dr. Klusmeier will serve the Kauffman Foundation as strategic partner and operational leader.

Stephanie Deck is an investment operations director for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she focuses on operational excellence and the execution, oversight, and strategic evolution of the organization’s operational platform, including operational data management, investment performance reporting, risk measurement and analysis, and systems development. Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Deck was head of […]

In August 2024, we launched our refreshed grantmaking strategy, opening five rounds of grant application opportunities designed to build equitable economic mobility for people across the region. The “why” behind our priorities remains simple yet powerful – we are committed to closing gaps for the most underserved communities. In our internal reflections after completing five […]