Foundation relaunches grantmaking strategy to close economic mobility gaps

With the launch of a refreshed grantmaking approach, and the funding application window now open, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation accelerates its community-driven vision to make Kansas City a national model for equitable economic mobility.

Explore our updated funding approach. Our grantmaking philosophy is shaped by research, community-informed feedback, and the legacy of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman. It emphasizes proximity to community, addressing tough challenges, driving impactful results, and fostering hope through research-driven innovation and ongoing collaboration with changemakers.

“This updated approach to grantmaking represents our deep commitment to fostering equitable economic mobility in Kansas City,” said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Kauffman President and CEO. “We’re embracing bold ideas and working with innovative organizations to drive meaningful change for our community.”

In coordination with our strategy, the Foundation is seeking solutions and working with national and local collaborators, coalitions, and organizations to model uncommon courage in pursuit of our goals. Three grant types opened on Aug. 29 and two more will open on Oct.15.

Capacity Building grants are designed to address explicit organizational capacity needs that, if addressed, would strengthen, deepen, or scale impact in our focus areas. Now open. 
Project grants provide funding for an organization to design, implement, or scale a multiyear project that will drive impact across our strategic priorities. Opening Oct. 15.
Research grants provide funding to build a deeper understanding of our focus areas, address gaps in our research base, and translate research findings into practice. Opening Oct. 15.  
Collective Impact grants are designed for coalitions of high-capacity organizations to drive systems-level impact and change in the Kansas City region. We are especially interested in proposals related to two key focus areas – education and employer connection, and equitable access – across our three strategic priority areas. Now open. 
Sunset grants are available to previous grantees with grants ending between Jan. 1, 2023, and June 30, 2025, that no longer align with our funding priorities. We offer one-time Sunset grant opportunities to help long-term grantees transition to new funding sources or bring closure to projects that are ending. Now open.

During the first quarter of 2025, we will launch the inaugural Kauffman Uncommon Leadership Award. This award is designed to honor leaders of organizations that are building a legacy of impact in the Kansas City region. Nominations should feature leaders who, like Ewing Marion Kauffman, reflect innovative, generous, and meaningful work in the community.

Through the work of grantee organizations, the Foundation aims to measure progress, learn from the communities regarding successes and failures, and adapt its grantmaking approach to achieve the most impact in supporting Kansas City.

“This rollout is the result of extensive research, community feedback, and a commitment to transparency,” said Allison Greenwood Bajracharya, Kauffman Foundation Chief Impact and Strategy Officer. “By focusing on areas with the greatest potential for impact, we’re setting the stage for long-term economic mobility and equitable growth in Kansas City and beyond.”

Visit our Funding section for the latest information about the Foundation’s grantmaking strategy and our grantmaking FAQs. If you missed any of our grantmaking webinars, you can find them on the Foundation’s YouTube channel with quick links to specific questions to make finding the information you need as easy as possible.