
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has been making a significant impact in various areas, including entrepreneurship, education, and community development. One notable example is their support for entrepreneurship education, which has helped thousands of students develop the skills and knowledge needed to start and grow their own businesses.
Their entrepreneurship programs have reached over 10,000 students in Kansas City, providing them with access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. This has led to the creation of numerous successful startups and small businesses in the region.
The foundation's focus on education extends beyond entrepreneurship, with initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged students. Their work has helped to increase graduation rates and reduce the achievement gap in Kansas City schools.
By investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs and community leaders, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is helping to build a more prosperous and equitable society.
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About the Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation was founded in the mid-1960s by billionaire Ewing Kauffman. He was an entrepreneur best known for founding Marion Laboratories, which would eventually become Marrion Merrell Dow.
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The foundation's primary focus is on the Kansas City area, where they fund initiatives that support entrepreneurship, education, and low-income individuals. Their grants also go to support civic development in Kansas City.
The foundation has more than $2.5 billion in assets, which they use to collaborate with communities and help people become self-sufficient, productive citizens. This is in line with their mission to increase opportunities that allow all people to learn, take risks, and own their success.
The foundation's grantmaking and research activities are focused on advancing entrepreneurship, improving education, and supporting civic development in Kansas City. They also collaborate with other organizations to address social and economic issues.
Here are some key facts about the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation:
The foundation has also been involved in some notable initiatives, including the creation of Project Choice in 1988, which aimed to lower the high school dropout rate for low-income Kansas City children by offering scholarships to cover their full college tuition. This program has continued to operate to the present.
Key Initiatives

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and communities through various initiatives.
One of the key ways they do this is through their sponsorship program, which provides funding for organizations and initiatives that align with their mission.
The foundation also offers a range of grant programs, including the Capacity Building Grant, Collective Impact Grant - Planning, Project Grant, Research Grant, and Sunset Grant, which support projects and initiatives in various stages of development.
Here are some of the specific grants and programs offered by the Kauffman Foundation:
- Kauffman Foundation: Capacity Building Grant
- Kauffman Foundation: Collective Impact Grant - Planning
- Kauffman Foundation: Project Grant
- Kauffman Foundation: Research Grant
- Kauffman Foundation: Sunset Grant
In addition to these grants, the foundation also offers the Uncommon Leader Impact Award, which recognizes and supports exceptional leaders in the field of entrepreneurship and community development.
Active Opportunities
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation offers a range of active opportunities for those looking to make a positive impact. Here are some specific opportunities you can explore:
The Kauffman Foundation provides sponsorship opportunities, which can be a great way to support a specific project or initiative. You can find more information on their website.
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The Kauffman Foundation also offers Capacity Building Grants, which can help organizations build their capacity and achieve their goals. This can be a great opportunity for those looking to grow and develop their skills.
The Collective Impact Grant - Planning is another opportunity offered by the Kauffman Foundation. This grant can help organizations plan and prepare for a collective impact initiative.
The Kauffman Foundation offers Project Grants, which can provide funding for specific projects or initiatives. These grants can be a great way to bring a project to life.
Research Grants are also available through the Kauffman Foundation. These grants can support research that aligns with the foundation's goals and priorities.
The Sunset Grant is another opportunity offered by the Kauffman Foundation. This grant can provide funding for projects that are near the end of their life cycle.
The Uncommon Leader Impact Award is a special opportunity that recognizes and rewards leaders who are making a positive impact in their communities.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through its programs and initiatives.
Inclusive prosperity is a core principle of EMKF's work, with a focus on supporting non-white entrepreneurs who often face barriers in accessing debt or capital to start their businesses.
One way EMKF supports these entrepreneurs is through its Kaufman Fellows program, which provides financial support to venture capital funds that promote ethnic and racial minority employees.
EMKF's president, Wendy Guillies, has emphasized the importance of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in the organization's work, and has announced a new set of priorities to combat inequality through this lens.
The EMKF blog, Currents, features numerous articles on promoting black-owned businesses and black entrepreneurs, highlighting the organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The Kaufman Fellows program offers financial support to venture capital funds that promote ethnic and racial minority employees.
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Leadership
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has recently announced new executive leadership positions to focus on key areas of its work.

Allison Greenwood Bajracharya will serve as the Vice President of Program Strategy, starting in April 2024.
Her background includes experience as a high school teacher in New Orleans, LA through the teacher placement program Teach for America.
Yvonne Owens Ferguson, Ph.D., M.P.H. will lead the Research, Learning, and Evaluation department.
She previously worked at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.
Gloria Jackson-Leathers will serve as Senior Advisor to the President, focusing on Community Engagement.
She brings experience as a bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new CEO of Kauffman Foundation?
The president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace. She leads the foundation's efforts to provide access to opportunities for financial stability and economic prosperity.
How did Ewing Kauffman make his money?
Ewing Kauffman built Marion Labs into a pharmaceutical giant with nearly $1 billion in sales and 3,400 employees. He also founded the Kansas City Royals, bringing Major League Baseball to his city in 1968.
Who is the chief of staff of the Kauffman Foundation?
The chief of staff for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is Dr. Susan Klusmeier, Ed.D. She is a highly respected leader in the foundation's operations.
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