United Way’s $2M Kauffman-backed Catalyst Fund just picked its first 22 nonprofit grantees

Leaders and organizations who are directly connected and engaged with their communities — especially communities of color — are essential to building a vibrant and inclusive Kansas City, said Gloria Jackson-Leathers, announcing a slew of grant winners from the new $2 million Nonprofit Catalyst Fund.

“We are excited to see these grants begin to benefit small nonprofit organizations,” said Jackson-Leathers, vice president of community relations and initiatives at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. 

The fund — first announced in February and administered by the United Way of Greater Kansas City with backing from the Kauffman Foundation — aims to advance small nonprofit organizations that are led by or primarily serve Black, Latino, and other people of color in the community.

Students take part in crime prevention and education programing from the Lyrik’s Institution; photo courtesy of the United Way of Greater Kansas City

“Working with people that come from these adverse realities takes a level of intentionality,” said Kyle Hollis, founder and CEO of Lyrik’s Institution, one of the first Nonprofit Catalyst Fund grant recipients. “This generous grant is providing us a chance to do that intentional work in the lives of many young adults in our community.”

Vetted recipients are 501(c)(3) public charities supporting education, human services, entrepreneurship, workforce skill building, economic mobility, and community development. 

They may use Nonprofit Catalyst Fund grants — ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on organizational size, operating budgets and specific needs outlined in grant proposals — to cover staffing expenses, consultant contracts, professional services, small capital expenditures, and general operating expenses aligned with the capacity-building goals of the funding proposal.  

Recipients announced Tuesday include:

• Altruism Media, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri — Healthcare advocacy & education 
• Cornerstone Ent, LTD., Overland Park, Kansas — Education, vocational support
• Cyber Creationz Tech, Kansas City, Missouri — Youth technology education
• Exceeds Expectations, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri — Financial literacy
• Family Resource of Cass County, Inc., Belton, Missouri — Financial stability
• Gateway of Hope Ministries, Olathe, Kansas — Mental health
• Heartland Arts KC, Kansas City, Kansas — Arts Education and advocacy
• JustUs System, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri — Youth education, career and skills training
• KC Common Good, Kansas City, Missouri — Violence prevention, education, skill building
• Lead to Read KC, Kansas City, Missouri — Youth education, literacy
• Lyrik’s Institution, Kansas City, Missouri — Crime prevention and education
• MO KAN Vision dba 20/20 Leadership, Kansas City, Missouri — Youth development 
• Parent Leadership Training Institute, Kansas City, Missouri — Civics education and advocacy
• People of All Colors Succeed, Kansas City, Missouri — Social emotional, skill building for students
• Red Apple Education, Kansas City, Missouri — Student and parent empowerment
• Red Tail Academy, Merriam, Kansas — Youth education
• Serve the World Charities, Kansas City, Missouri — Affordable housing, food assistance
• Suburban Balance, Lee’s Summit, Missouri — Cultural education
• The Single Mom KC, Overland Park, Kansas — Education and financial stability, family support
• Transition Zone, Kansas City, Missouri — Youth skills training
• Trust Neighborhoods, Kansas City, Missouri — Affordable housing
• Village Initiative Inc., Kansas City, Kansas — Economic empowerment

Essence Yancey, United Way of Greater Kansas City

The Nonprofit Catalyst Fund provides grants over a three-year period. Specific grant totals were not released.

Nonprofit organizations are significant contributors to an equitable and inclusive economic development system, not only as employers and community conveners, but also in the delivery of critical programs and services that promote inclusive prosperity, the United Way said in a press release.  

“We believe small, nonprofit organizations within communities of color play a key role in addressing a range of challenges, but frequently face barriers in advancing their work, including access to financial resources to be successful,” said Essence Yancey, community impact director with United Way of Greater Kansas City. “This infusion of capital will propel life-changing work through organizations with strong ties to the communities they serve.”

Click here to learn more about applying for a Nonprofit Catalyst Fund grant.The next information session is set for June 30.