Affinity Worldwide CEO hopes $1M gift to Kansas City Startup Foundation spurs more community giving

Editor’s note: Michael Wrenn previously was the owner of Startland News and its parent organization, the Center for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development (CEED).

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I’m a big believer in counting blessings and doing my small part to give back.

My wife, Becky Cole, CFO of Affinity Worldwide, is of the same mindset. We’ve enjoyed success over the years in our family-owned companies and various startups headquartered in Kansas City, and take pleasure in helping others just starting out. We remember that others before us laid the groundwork for our success.

For some years, we supported the Center of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development (CEED), because we were huge fans of CEED co-founder Adam Arredondo and adopted his vision of a stronger, more connected startup community as our own. We’ve enjoyed watching this vision grow and have seen the positive impact CEED has made in Kansas City. CEED has worked closely with Kansas City Startup Foundation for several years and both entities have been integral parts of the startup community’s story.

We have now gifted CEED to the Kansas City Startup Foundation, along with a five-year financial commitment. As this startup effort has grown and evolved, we feel that our contribution will go farthest and help the most people in a nonprofit setting. This also allows Adam and others to lead the effort and vision into the future.

Becky and I recognize we are but one couple who has invested our lives in our companies and communities. We try to do the right things for the right reasons every day.

To further the positive impact of entrepreneurship in Kansas City and beyond, I’d love for our gift to encourage others to join us in giving. We deserve no special recognition but rather only desire to serve as leaders in our community who try to make it a better place for our kids and for future generations.

It is, therefore, our pleasure to make this gift and watch as this foundation begins to further its mission, leading to a more vibrant community of entrepreneurs who will help shape Kansas City’s future.