There are six criteria, outlined below, that define the ideal nominee for the Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award. The award criteria are based on Mr. Kauffman’s core values of community impact, innovation, equity, collaboration, economic mobility, and enduring executive leadership in service of the Kansas City region.

Community Impact:  
Mr. Kauffman wanted his philanthropy to have a significant positive effect on the Kansas City community and beyond. 

• The nominee demonstrates measurable contribution to the Kansas City region’s well-being, growth, and empowerment through their executive leadership.
• The nominee’s work shows sustained or durable benefits that extend beyond a single program, initiative, or funding cycle.
• The nominee has contributed to the Kansas City region’s well-being, growth, and empowerment through executive leadership.

Economic Mobility & Systems Change: 
Mr. Kauffman was deeply committed to economic mobility and systems change, particularly through entrepreneurship and education. He believed everyone should have the opportunity to achieve success, regardless of background. 

• The nominee advances economic mobility directly or indirectly through systems-level leadership, strategy, and community influence. 
• The nominee works to remove structural barriers and address root causes rather than only immediate symptoms. 

Executive Leadership and Legacy: 
The nominee has built or strengthened an enduring organizational and community legacy through executive leadership. 

• The nominee demonstrates visionary leadership that has shaped long-term community outcomes, institutional capacity, or sector influence.
• The nominee leaves behind durable systems, partnerships, talent pipelines, or strategies that will continue to benefit the Kansas City region. 
• The nominee has built or strengthened an enduring organizational and community legacy through executive leadership.

Equity:  
Mr. Kauffman aimed to ensure that opportunities were accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or background. 

• The nominee embeds equity in strategy, resource allocation, partnerships, and outcomes. 
• The nominee allocates support and resources in ways that recognize differing starting points and help produce more equitable outcomes.

Collaboration: 
Mr. Kauffman strongly believed collaboration was essential to sustainable change and community impact. 

• The nominee builds strong cross-sector partnerships across nonprofit, civic, philanthropic, and community stakeholders to advance shared goals. 

Innovation:  
Mr. Kauffman encouraged the Kauffman Foundation to explore new approaches and innovative solutions to tackle complex problems. 

• The nominee applies creative approaches to solve entrenched challenges, improve results, or scale impact over time.
• The nominee demonstrates adaptive, forward-looking leadership that inspires others to act and strengthens community outcomes. 

Please note the following eligibility requirements:

• Nominees must be full-time executive leaders (defined below) at a 501(c)(3) public charity organization and be in good standing with their organization at the time of nomination.
  • An executive leader is a senior organizational leader who is the CEO, or reports directly to the CEO. This may include titles such as chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief marketing officer (CMO), chief technology officer (CTO), chief operating officer (COO), executive director, vice president, or director. Because titles vary across organizations, a formal executive leader title is not required.
• Organizations are required to be based in the following six counties – Jackson, MO, Clay, MO, Platte, MO and Cass, MO, Johnson, KS, Wyandotte, KS. 
• Nominees must serve in a staff leadership capacity, not solely as a volunteer or Board member, at the 501(c)(3) public charity organization from which they are being nominated.
• Nominees must not have served as an employee or Board member of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation within the past 5 years.
• Nominees must not be an immediate family member of an associate of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
• Consent to a background check as part of the application and verification process. 

Nominee application form – for preview use only [PDF]

What is the Uncommon Leader Visionary Award?

The Uncommon Leader Visionary Award recognizes executive leaders at nonprofit organizations in the Kansas City region who are creating lasting, systems-level change. It honors leaders whose work builds enduring impact – strengthening organizations, expanding opportunity, and improving outcomes for communities over time.

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What makes this award different?

The Visionary Award goes beyond recognizing individual achievement. It spotlights leaders whose work creates results across their organization and community. It is about visionary leadership that makes more possible and allows others to learn from and build upon.

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Who is eligible to be nominated?

Please see our Eligibility section for more information.

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What types of leaders are you looking for?

We are looking for leaders who reflect Mr. Kauffman’s core values of community impact, innovation, equity, collaboration, economic mobility, and enduring executive leadership in service of the Kansas City region. See the Award Criteria section for more information.

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Who can submit a nomination?

Any community member can nominate an individual for the Visionary Award during the open nomination period.

Individuals or groups can submit a nomination. While one person must serve as the lead nominator and submit the form, we welcome colleagues and collaborators to contribute insights and examples, building a collective perspective for a complete story of the nominee’s impact.

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Can leaders nominate themselves?

No. Nominations must come from someone else. However, once nominated, the nominee will be invited to complete an application as part of the process.

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What is the nomination and selection process?

1. A nominator submits a nomination.
2. The nominee is invited to complete an application.
3. External reviewers evaluate submissions.
4. Up to five finalists are selected.
5. One award recipient is announced.

The process ensures a thoughtful and rigorous evaluation of each leader’s impact and legacy.

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What does the award recipient receive?

$75,000 is awarded to the individual leader, and $150,000 is awarded to that leader’s organization. The award supports both the leader and the organization to continue building lasting impact.

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Why should I nominate someone?

Nominating is more than recognition. It is a way to elevate leaders who are creating real, lasting change. Your nomination is a meaningful first step in amplifying leadership that makes more possible.

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What is the definition of an executive leader?

An executive leader is a senior organizational leader who is the CEO or reports directly to the CEO. This may include titles such as chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief marketing officer (CMO), chief technology officer (CTO), chief operating officer (COO), executive director, vice president, or director. Because titles vary across organizations, a formal executive leader title is not required.

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What is the definition of a 501(c)(3) public charity? Is there a database that can help me check the status of an organization?

A public charity is a specific type of 501(c)(3) organization that generally provides a service to a group of people.  The requirements to be a public charity are most generally described in section 509(a) of the tax code.

GuideStar is one site that can confirm charitable status.

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What is the definition of the Kansas City region?

We define the Kansas City region as Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties in Missouri, and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas.

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What are the tax implications of receiving an award?

The payment associated with the award may be taxable, and recipients should consult their tax advisor on reporting requirements or specific impact.

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When will the winner be announced?

The Visionary Award recipient will be honored at a celebration event in Fall 2026.

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Can current and/or past associates or board members of the Kauffman Foundation receive an award?

Individuals who have been either an associate or a board member of the Kauffman Foundation from June 2020 to present are not eligible to receive an award.

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Can relatives of Kauffman Foundation associates receive the award?

To ensure fairness and uphold the integrity of the Kauffman Uncommon Leader Awards, immediate family members of associates or board members of the Kauffman Foundation are not eligible to participate in or receive awards. This ensures all judging and prize decisions remain fair and free from personal influence.

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How are finalists and awardees selected for the Visionary Award?

An external committee will review nominees based on the award criteria and make a recommendation to the Kauffman Foundation on finalists.

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Who is on the external review committee for the Visionary Award? How are the committee members identified and selected?

The members of the external review committee will remain anonymous during the selection process. This allows the members to operate without pressure or persuasion from others. Committee members are identified and selected through an internal search process to secure a group of community leaders with experience and connection to the greater Kansas City nonprofit community.