Kauffman Foundation revises funding priorities to three key areas, sharing first public details of its new strategic focus

A refreshed vision for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation aims to make Kansas City a national model for equitable economic mobility, dismantling systemic barriers and setting generations of historically under-resourced communities on the path to prosperity, according to just-released details from the influential organization.

Updates to the Kauffman Foundation’s strategy come after the summer 2023 arrival of Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, president and CEO; a slew of leadership changes; and interviews with hundreds of the foundation’s grantees and internal stakeholders, as well as civic leaders.

The goal: re-center the Kauffman Foundation’s future around the intent of its namesake, the iconic Kansas City entrepreneur Ewing Kauffman.

“True community planning is a collaborative effort, where the steps are guided by the rhythm of the community input, ensuring that each detail reflects the shared goals and challenges of the entire community,” said Burns-Wallace. “By using our collective wisdom, we can advance our shared commitments to inclusivity and sustainable progress.” 

Unveiling the Kauffman Foundation’s “Vision for 2035 and Refreshed Strategic Plan,” the organization’s future work will focus on fostering greater community transformation through:

• College access and completion — equitable opportunities for all 
• Workforce and career development — at every stage  
• Entrepreneurship — supporting and sustaining business ownership

New grant funding from the organization has been paused amid the restructuring of the Kauffman Foundation and its strategic plan.

[Editor’s note: The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a financial supporter of Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom.]

The Foundation is expected to share more about partnership and funding opportunities — including specific types of initiatives and approaches helping to drive economic prosperity — in early fall 2024.  

Click here to learn more about the Kauffman Foundation’s new strategy and goals.

“Kauffman should and can be a convener; we need a really powerful champion,” said Nia Richardson, managing director of KC BizCare, as part of the community input portion of the Foundation’s process. “Kauffman has power to put pressure on these larger organizations to share the wealth.”

More than 50 national foundations, partners and Kansas City-based organizations were interviewed in individual and group listening sessions through the Foundation’s initiative to gather such insights about its potential place in the community.

“We heard their desires, needs and hopes for the Foundation’s role and designed our plan with their input,” the Kauffman Foundation said in a news release.

RELATED: How the Kauffman Foundation is tripling down on its KC-focused strategy with trio of high-profile hires

“For Kansas City to thrive, we must focus on economic development that doesn’t just create opportunities but makes them accessible to all – ensuring that prosperity is shared by everyone in our community,” said Tracey Lewis, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, a key organization providing input as part of the refocused strategy.

“We’ll achieve this by collaborating among agencies, developing deliberate policies and inclusive strategies to uplift historically marginalized voices and addressing systemic barriers to prosperity,” he continued.

Click here to learn more about the legacy of Ewing Kauffman.