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The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.0B
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

IMPORTANT NOTE: The provided EIN (13-6093926) does not match official records. The actual EIN for The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is 43-1152398. Please verify which organization you intended to research.

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1+ billion (2023)
  • Total Assets: $5+ billion
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; typically 2-4 months
  • Grant Range: $500 - $24,000 (competitive programs)
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Kansas City metropolitan area (Clay, Platte, Jackson Counties, MO; Wyandotte, Johnson Counties, KS)

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 1978 when seven visionary leaders "passed a hat" and collected $200 and some change, The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation has grown into one of the nation's most respected philanthropic institutions. The foundation ranks in the top one percent of more than 900 community foundations nationwide in terms of total assets, gifts and grants. Since inception, donors have granted more than $8 billion to charities, with over $1 billion distributed in 2023 alone—the highest annual total in the foundation's history. The foundation manages more than $5 billion in assets and administers over 6,500 charitable funds established by individuals, families and businesses. In a historic move demonstrating Kansas City's innovative philanthropic spirit, the foundation became the first and only charity to receive, hold, and ultimately sell a major league sports team—the Kansas City Royals—in 2000. Under the leadership of President and CEO Debbie Wilkerson (recognized in Forbes 50 Over 50 in 2024), the foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues. In 2004, the foundation created Greater Horizons to serve donors nationally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Structure

Important: The vast majority of grants from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation are donor-directed through donor-advised funds, meaning individual donors make their own decisions about which nonprofits to support. However, the foundation administers several competitive grant opportunities for 501(c)(3) public charities on behalf of donors and external funders.

Competitive Grant Programs

Wagy Fund

  • Focus: Programs benefiting women and girls in Kansas City, Missouri
  • Geographic Eligibility: Clay, Platte, and Jackson Counties (MO); Wyandotte and Johnson Counties (KS). Preference given to organizations headquartered in Kansas City, MO
  • Application: Annual cycle (typically September-October deadline)
  • Examples of Past Recipients: Epic Inc.-The Grooming Project (vocational training for single mothers), Journey to New Life (transitional housing for women after incarceration), Rightfully Sewn (seamstress training for at-risk women), Metropolitan Community College Foundation (nursing scholarships)

Terracon Foundation Community Project Grant

  • Grant Range: Generally up to $7,500
  • Annual Total: Up to $150,000 awarded annually
  • Focus: Education and the built and natural environment
  • Application: Two annual deadlines (March 31 and September 30 at 5 p.m. CDT)
  • Term: One-year grants

Unified Government Hollywood Casino Fund

  • Grant Range: $500 - $24,000 (average $6,000 in 2024)
  • Focus: Initiatives fostering healthy eating and active lifestyles
  • Geographic Restriction: Wyandotte County, Kansas only; clients/beneficiaries must be residents of Wyandotte County
  • Application: Annual deadline (typically April, with notifications in July)
  • Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofits only

Impact KC

  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $15,000
  • Number of Awards: 1-4 organizations annually
  • Focus: Projects benefiting the five-county Kansas City metropolitan area
  • Term: One-time grants
  • Unique Feature: Finalists present at an annual "Shark Tank" event to members
  • Application: Annual cycle (typically July-August deadline)

Hispanic Development Fund (HDF)

  • Status: Invitation-only application process
  • Focus: Organizations serving the Latino community
  • Note: Since 1983, HDF has provided over $7 million in scholarships and $4 million in grants

Irven E. and NeVada P. Linscomb Foundation

  • Focus: Nonprofit organizations benefiting underserved, low-income children
  • Geographic Restriction: Clay and Platte Counties
  • Note: Grantmaking decisions based on foundation priorities and community needs

Priority Areas

Based on 2023 grant distributions:

  • Education (one-third of all donor-advised fund grants)
  • Human Services
  • Health and Wellness
  • Women and Girls Programs
  • Youth Development
  • Environmental Initiatives
  • Latino Community Support

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions vary by grant program. Generally, competitive grants require:

  • Current 501(c)(3) status
  • Organizations serving the designated geographic area
  • Alignment with specific fund priorities

Most programs do not fund:

  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
  • Projects outside designated geographic areas
  • Multi-year commitments (most are one-year grants)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Debbie Wilkerson - President & CEO Debbie Wilkerson has led the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation for over a decade, becoming CEO in 2012 after starting at the foundation more than 25 years ago. She moved through various positions including corporate counsel and COO. During her leadership, the foundation's assets have grown to over $5 billion, and the organization crossed the $6 billion mark in cumulative grants. In 2024, she was recognized in Forbes 50 Over 50 in the Impact category. Her introduction to the foundation came when working on Ewing Kauffman's unprecedented donation of the Kansas City Royals to the foundation.

Key Quote from Wilkerson: "When our community foundation was formed 40 years ago, we started out seeking unrestricted donations, so we could identify the needs in Kansas City and address them with resources we collected from the community. But we quickly learned that donors in Kansas City were having a great time giving their money away, and they wanted to stay involved in decisions surrounding their charitable dollars."

"We're incredibly lucky to work with donors during one of the most joyful times in their lives—the point where they've made the decision to set aside assets for charitable giving."

Board of Directors

The Board comprises business leaders and community philanthropists focused on governance and oversight:

  • Ann F. Konecny - Vice Chair; CEO and Board Chair, Foley Industries, Inc.
  • William M. Lyons - Immediate Past Chair; Retired CEO, American Century Investments
  • M. Gayle Packer - Secretary; President and CEO, Terracon Consultants, Inc.
  • Dr. C. Mauli Agrawal - Chancellor, University of Missouri-Kansas City
  • Lisa M. Krigsten - Kansas City Managing Partner, Dentons US LLP
  • Willie Lanier, Jr. - Managing Partner, Lanier United
  • Sandra J. Price - Corporate Board Member: Evergy, US Infrastructure Corporation, CRB
  • Madeline M. Romious - Regional Vice President, AT&T
  • Steven J. Sestak - Founder & Chairman, MarketSphere
  • Sandra R. Stites, M.D.

Foundation Values

The foundation values integrity, respect, passion for serving donors, and innovation, recognizing that every gift, whether $25 or $25 million, makes a difference in the lives of others.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application System: The foundation uses SmartSimple as their grant application software. Organizations must create a SmartSimple account to apply.

Steps:

  1. Visit grants.growyourgiving.org to view current opportunities
  2. Create a SmartSimple account
  3. Review specific program guidelines and eligibility requirements
  4. Submit application by program deadline
  5. Each program has unique requirements and timelines

Technical Support: Contact Grantmaking Services at grants@growyourgiving.org or 816-627-3452 for questions or technical assistance. Step-by-step instruction guides are available.

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary by program:

  • Hollywood Casino Fund: April deadline; notifications in July (approximately 3 months)
  • Terracon Foundation: March 31 and September 30 deadlines; decisions typically within 2-3 months
  • Impact KC: August deadline; Shark Tank event and decisions follow (approximately 2-4 months)
  • Wagy Fund: October deadline; decisions typically by year-end

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However:

  • Impact KC awards 1-4 grants annually from all applicants
  • Multiple programs receive competitive application volumes
  • The foundation distributed over $1 billion in total grants in 2023 (including donor-advised funds)

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies vary by program. Contact Grantmaking Services for specific program guidance. Many programs accept applications annually, allowing organizations to reapply in subsequent cycles.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Structure

The most critical success factor is understanding that the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation operates differently than traditional foundations. The vast majority of grants come from individual donors through donor-advised funds, not from foundation-initiated programs. For competitive grants, applications must align precisely with specific fund priorities.

Alignment with Fund Priorities

Each competitive grant program has distinct priorities:

  • Wagy Fund: Must demonstrate clear benefit to women and girls in Kansas City
  • Terracon Foundation: Preference for education and built/natural environment projects
  • Hollywood Casino Fund: Must focus on healthy eating and active lifestyles in Wyandotte County
  • Impact KC: Must serve the five-county metro area and present effectively to member audience

Geographic Specificity

Many programs have strict geographic requirements. Organizations must:

  • Be located in the designated service area
  • Serve beneficiaries in the designated counties
  • In some cases (like Hollywood Casino Fund), clients must be residents of the specific county

Program Examples

The foundation values concrete, measurable outcomes. Examples of successful Wagy Fund recipients illustrate this:

  • The Grooming Project provided vocational training with clear career pathways for single mothers
  • Journey to New Life addressed a specific need (transitional housing after incarceration) with a structured program
  • Rightfully Sewn offered specific job skills training (seamstress training) for at-risk women

Relationship Building

While the foundation primarily serves donors rather than grant applicants, building awareness of your organization can be valuable. Many grants from donor-advised funds go to organizations donors know and trust. Consider:

  • Participating in foundation educational events
  • Ensuring your organization is easily discoverable by donors
  • Maintaining current 501(c)(3) status and financial transparency

Application Quality

Given limited awards (e.g., Impact KC awards only 1-4 grants), applications must be exceptionally strong:

  • Clear articulation of community need
  • Evidence-based program design
  • Specific, measurable outcomes
  • Strong organizational capacity
  • Clear alignment with fund priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Understand the Model: This is primarily a donor-advised fund administrator, not a traditional foundation. Most grants are donor-directed, not foundation-initiated. Only apply for the specific competitive programs that match your mission and geography.

  2. Geographic Precision Matters: Most competitive grants have strict geographic requirements (specific counties). Ensure your organization and beneficiaries meet these requirements before applying.

  3. Match Program Priorities Exactly: With limited awards available in each program, only apply if your project clearly aligns with the specific fund's stated priorities. Generic applications will not succeed.

  4. Demonstrate Concrete Outcomes: Past successful recipients show clear, measurable impacts. Focus on specific results, not just activities or intentions.

  5. Pay Attention to Timing: Different programs have different deadlines. Mark your calendar early and note that some programs (like Hispanic Development Fund and Linscomb Foundation) are invitation-only.

  6. Leverage the Shark Tank Format: For Impact KC applicants, finalists must present effectively to an audience. Strong presentation skills and compelling storytelling are essential.

  7. Contact Grantmaking Services Early: The foundation encourages questions and provides technical assistance. Don't hesitate to reach out to grants@growyourgiving.org or 816-627-3452 for clarification on eligibility or requirements.

  8. Consider Multiple Pathways: While competitive grants are limited, Kansas City's strong philanthropic culture means individual donors may support your work through their donor-advised funds if they learn about your organization through other channels.

References

  1. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation official website. "About Us." https://www.growyourgiving.org/about-us/ (Accessed November 2024)

  2. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. "Competitive Grant Opportunities." https://www.growyourgiving.org/grant/ (Accessed November 2024)

  3. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. "Annual Report." https://www.growyourgiving.org/annual-report/ (Accessed November 2024)

  4. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. "Board of Directors." https://www.growyourgiving.org/board-of-directors/ (Accessed November 2024)

  5. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. "Staff Listing." https://www.growyourgiving.org/staff-listing/ (Accessed November 2024)

  6. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. "President & CEO Debbie Wilkerson: Making an Impact in Forbes 50 Over 50." https://www.growyourgiving.org/news/president-ceo-debbie-wilkerson-making-an-impact-in-forbes-50-over-50/ (Accessed November 2024)

  7. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. "KKFI 90.1 FM: an Interview with Debbie Wilkerson about Charitable Giving." https://www.growyourgiving.org/news/kkfi-radio-interview-debbie-wilkerson-talks-charitable-giving/ (Accessed November 2024)

  8. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Grant Portal. "Wagy Fund." https://grants.growyourgiving.org/prog/american_association_of_university_women_wagy_fund/ (Accessed November 2024)

  9. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Grant Portal. "Unified Government Hollywood Casino Fund." https://grants.growyourgiving.org/prog/unified_government_hollywood_casino_fund/ (Accessed November 2024)

  10. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Grant Portal. "Impact KC." https://grants.growyourgiving.org/prog/impact_kc/ (Accessed November 2024)

  11. Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. "Terracon Foundation: Committed to Making a Difference." https://www.growyourgiving.org/news/terracon-foundation-committed-to-making-a-difference/ (Accessed November 2024)

  12. Charity Navigator. "Greater Kansas City Community Foundation - Rating." https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/431152398 (Accessed November 2024)

  13. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Greater Kansas City Community Foundation." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/431152398 (Accessed November 2024)

  14. Nonprofit Connect. "Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Profile." https://info.npconnect.org/list/member/greater-kansas-city-community-foundation-112155 (Accessed November 2024)

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