Taylor Werner, CFA Taylor Werner, CFA, is an analyst in Investments 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 and is a […]
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 […]
Awards Uncommon Leader Impact Award The Uncommon Leader Impact Award recognizes non-C-suite employees at 501(c)(3) public charities who drive meaningful impact through their work aligned with the Kauffman Foundation’s mission to advance economic mobility, exemplify the core values of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman, and demonstrate significant contributions to the Kansas City region.
Grantmaking Grant opportunities We offer Capacity Building, Collective Impact, Project, and Research grants on a regular grant cycle, as well as one-time Sunset grants. Key dates & funding amounts Our grant types will be offered on this cycle: STATUS* GRANT TYPE AMOUNT OPEN DATE CLOSE DATE DISBURSEMENT FREQUENCY ● CAPACITY BUILDING $100,000 – $250,000 Fall 2025 […]
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. Over the past year, we have held several webinars speaking to our new grant cycles; […]
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] >Learn more about Capacity Building grant examples > 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 […]
Community joins us at the ‘heart’ of our mission August 8, 2024 We found fun problem solving together at TEDxKC.
Diaysha Cole Diaysha Cole is a program manager – FastTrac in Operating Programs for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she leads curriculum-based program operations to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the business skills and insights, tools, resources, and peer networks to start and grow successful businesses. She also ensures Kauffman FastTrac® affiliate standards are upheld and assigned […]