$11.2M+ awarded: 53 orgs tapped for first-ever tranche of Kauffman capacity building grants

A new grantmaking strategy from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is manifesting through an inaugural round of funding to local and outside organizations whose work supports the priorities of college access and completion, workforce and career development, and entrepreneurship.

The Kauffman Foundation on Monday announced its first tranche of grants — totaling more than $11.2 million in support — since a massive overhaul within the influential Kansas City-based philanthropic organization.

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Fifty-three groups are set to receive funding to strengthen their individual capacities, primarily focused on sound leadership, strong boards, professional development for staff, technology, evaluation, strategic planning, communications, and sustainability.

With 85 percent of grantees based in the Kansas City area and nearly one-third of them receiving Kauffman funding for the first time in five years, the grants — slated for organizations ranging from social ventures BikeWalkKC, Pawsperity and The Sewing Labs to more established groups like AltCap, Ennovation Center, Prospect Business Association and even Teach for America — are a testament to the Foundation’s dedication to equitable growth in the region, said Allison Greenwood-Bajracharya, chief impact and strategy officer for the Kauffman Foundation.

Allison Greenwood-Bajracharya, chief impact and strategy officer for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“We heard loud and clear that grantees needed funds to grow their reach and achieve impact – and we responded,” she said. “This is just the first of many awards we are announcing, but we’re excited to offer a grant program that is so directly in response to a community request.”

Click here to view the full list of just-announced capacity building grant awardees.

Individual funding totals for organizations were not released. Funds are expected to be released in mid-December.

Capacity building grants are intended to support an organization’s focus on internal effectiveness and long-term stability. These one-time, short-term grants are awarded to charities that demonstrate a specific capacity gap and that are aligned with the Kauffman Foundation’s strategic priorities and focus areas.

Grantees demonstrated a specific capacity need and an ability to generate impact, according to the Kauffman Foundation. Examples of needs include: staffing, program enhancement, operating systems, IT planning and digital security, or communications and marketing.

The grantmaking strategy was informed by community feedback that was gathered through interviews, surveys, and meetings in late 2023 and early 2024.

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Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace speaks during the Sept. 19 Spark event at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Key elements of the new path forward: measuring progress, learning from the communities served regarding successes and failures, and adapting the Kauffman Foundation’s grantmaking approach to achieve the most impact in supporting our strategic priorities.

“Our communities know their challenges and opportunities best,” said Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO. “Our capacity building grants support well-positioned organizations to grow solutions they know work best. We’re excited to collaborate with these organizations in moving forward our commitment to make Kansas City a national model for equitable economic mobility. The work of these organizations will drive change in Kansas City for years to come.”

Among the just-announced successful grant applications, those targeting workforce and career development changes reflected the largest area of emphasis with 68 percent of grantees indicating it will be their primary focus area.

Another round of capacity building grants will become available in April 2025.

Applications for the Kauffman Foundation’s collective impact grants already have closed, but the windows for project grants and research grants remain open through Jan. 10.

Previously funded organizations that are not aligned with Kauffman Foundation’s new priorities may apply for sunset grants through March 31, 2025.

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