Skip to content

Grantmaking

The Kauffman Foundation works together with organizations that share our vision and passion for education, entrepreneurship and the Kansas City community.

We first listen to the communities we serve, tap into our learnings and relationships, and bring everyone together to build and support programs that improve education, boost entrepreneurship, and help Kansas City thrive.

As such, we look for ways to advance programs and to leverage additional funding and resources in these areas. We consider our grants to be community investments, and we look for a return on those investments.

To learn more about our strategies and funding priorities, explore our program areas.


How we fund

Learn more about how we fund by reviewing our guidelines. Please keep in mind, although your project may appear to fall under our grant funding priorities, funding for requests is limited. 

Submit an idea

We are open to new ideas and innovative project submissions at any time throughout the year. If your organization or project is eligible, you can then submit an idea. Your idea will be reviewed and if it’s a good match with the Foundation’s priorities, you will be notified requesting you to complete a full application.

Have an idea?

Determine if your idea meets our grants criteria

My request supports activities in the United States and/or its territories.

My request does not support any of the following: institutions that discriminate; lobbying, legislative, or political activities; political, social, or fraternal organizations; endowment; religious activities; request from individuals, including direct scholarship; bricks and mortar, including buildings or housing; loans, expenses, or seed capital for a private business; medical (physical or mental health).

My request is related to education, entrepreneurship, or Kansas City metropolitan civic initiatives.

My request is not for money to start a business or fund patent expenses.

Your idea is eligible! Submit it here.

We appreciate being considered as a potential funder and contributor to your endeavors. Although the Foundation recognizes the importance of your request, regrettably, we are not able to provide funding. We realize that seeking funding can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, and we regret that we are able to fund only a small percentage of the requests that we receive. The Foundation Center might be able to help you identify potential funders. It offers a comprehensive database of U.S. grantmakers and the criteria for their grants. We wish you success in securing funding and in the future success of your endeavors.

Request for proposals (RFPs)

Periodically, requests for proposals (RFPs) may be issued to invite qualified organizations who meet specialized criteria for a grant. Within a structured set of terms and conditions, each RFP features distinct requirements for a limited time with specific deadlines.

–Current RFP Grant Opportunities–

Central Standards RFP

Accepting applications from November 2, 2020 12:00 a.m. (CST) to December 11, 2020 11:59 p.m. (CST). Learn more >


Meet our grantees

The Kauffman Foundation supports a diverse set of grantees across our program areas.

GRANTEES

Announcing the 2020 Quality Enhancement grantees

The Quality Enhancement Grants program supports quality improvement efforts in early learning programs serving children birth to five in the Kansas City region.

October 1, 2020
Announcing the 2020 Quality Enhancement grantees
GRANTEES

Meet the 2020 Kauffman Knowledge Challenge grantees

The 2020 Knowledge Challenge produced a portfolio of grants that seek to answer questions based on real-world problems facing entrepreneurs and their communities.

September 8, 2020
Meet the 2020 Kauffman Knowledge Challenge grantees
GRANTEES

Catalyzing entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Heartland

The Heartland Challenge grantees will work to solve for specific challenges entrepreneurs in the region face, and will participate in facilitated, peer-learning communities of practice to share knowledge across the region.

July 10, 2020
Catalyzing entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Heartland
GRANTEES

Meet the America’s New Business Plan RFP grantees

We funded nine entrepreneurship advocates to inform local, regional, and national policy debates with the voices of entrepreneurs.

May 4, 2020
Meet the America’s New Business Plan RFP grantees

Our grantees in action

Read the stories of our grantees and their impact in the areas of Education, Entrepreneurship, and Kansas City Civic.

currents

For entrepreneurs to thrive, policies must help level the playing field

The latest Kauffman Conversation brings together experts from the field who say now is the moment to advocate on behalf of small businesses.


By KEITH MAYS and MATTHEW LONG
August 27, 2020
For entrepreneurs to thrive, policies must help level the playing field
currents

COVID-19 has revealed paths forward to address inequities in lending

To give all entrepreneurs an equal shot, they will need equal access to capital.


By SIDNEY STEELE, KEITH MAYS, and MATTHEW LONG
July 16, 2020
COVID-19 has revealed paths forward to address inequities in lending
currents

Investing in people as our most-valuable assets

Kauffman Director of Education Sherman Whites proposes a shift in how we perceive philanthropy to confront the question, “How do we answer to call to care for each other?”


Written by SHERMAN WHITES
November 14, 2019
Investing in people as our most-valuable assets