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Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation | Kauffman.org

- Currents
  Kauffman’s Currents features stories and insights that underscore the essential role of education and entrepreneurship in empowering all people to shape their futures, create vibrant communities, and grow an inclusive economy.
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- Strategic Priorities
  Our strategic priorities reflect the heart of our mission: college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship.
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- Research, Learning, & Evaluation
  Through transparency, rigor, inclusivity, and responsiveness, we aim to ensure accountability, build trust, and acknowledge diverse perspectives.
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- Operating Programs
  The Kauffman Foundation operates the following programs: 1 Million Cups, Kauffman FastTrac®, and Real World Learning.
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- Funding overview
  Our funding philosophy is shaped by research, community-informed feedback, and the legacy established by our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman.
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- Opportunities
  - Grantmaking
    Our grantmaking is aligned to our strategic priorities and focus areas, driving toward our goal of equitable economic mobility for Kansas Citians.
  - Sponsorships
    In sponsorships, we support organizations and programs that align with our strategic priorities, which reflect the heart of our mission.
  - Awards
    The Kauffman Uncommon Leader Awards recognize leaders who are making a lasting impact within their nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve.
- About Us
  Everything we do is grounded in the generosity and love for Kansas City that Mr. Kauffman infused into the heart of our mission.
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- Our People
  Our team is made up of connectors and supporters who believe all people should have the opportunity to thrive.
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- Our Founder
  Ewing Kauffman’s life took him on an unconventional path that allowed him to enrich the lives of others along the way.
  - Learn about Mr. K's legacy
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Kansas City

The Kauffman Foundation works in Kansas City and the surrounding states of Missouri and Kansas, championing organizations and communities that test innovative solutions and seek to change conditions.

stories

With open doors, the Kauffman Foundation rolls out the blue carpet

Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace welcomes guests into the Foundation for a night of connection and engagement for collective impact to last far beyond the evening.

Written by Julie Scheidegger

October 6, 2023
stories

Dr. Rachel Melson named Kauffman Uncommon Leader Impact awardee

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation announced that Dr. Rachel Melson, Outreach Clinic Director, Swope Health Services, has been named the inaugural Kauffman Uncommon Leader Impact awardee during a celebration event Dec. 11. Melson receives $50,000 individually and $100,000 for Swope Health Services.

Written by Julie Scheidegger

December 11, 2025
stories

Meet the latest cohort of Capacity Building grantees

The final round of Capacity Building grants for 2025 supplies support for organizations’ internal effectiveness and long-term stability.

November 20, 2025
stories

Five finalists named for the Uncommon Leader Impact Award

November 12, 2025

More on Kansas City

All Stories (136) Reports (12) Resources (2)

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We Create: Making KC America’s Most Entrepreneurial City: Year 1

The Kauffman-sponsored “We Create KC” report is organized around six imperatives identified as key areas of development in the region’s efforts to nurture entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Through the years, men and women have pursued their entrepreneurial path in the Kansas City region. Along the way, they have created new goods and services and changed the ways we live, work and play.

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