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Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.3M
Decision Time
2mo

Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9,954,072 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Within 60 days (typically)
  • Grant Range: Varies (average $58,492)
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Kansas City area (Jackson, Clay, Platte counties in MO; Johnson, Wyandotte counties in KS)
  • Number of Awards: 169 (2023)

Contact Details

Overview

Established in 1987 when the original Muriel I. and Ewing M. Kauffman Foundation separated into two distinct organizations, the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation carries forward Muriel Kauffman's passion for the performing and visual arts. With assets of approximately $270.9 million, the foundation distributed nearly $10 million in grants across 169 awards in 2023. The foundation's signature achievement is the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, a 316,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2011, featuring a 1,800-seat theater and 1,600-seat concert hall. Led by Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman (Muriel's daughter), the foundation remains committed to enhancing the quality and accessibility of the arts in Kansas City, supporting organizations ranging from major institutions like the Kansas City Symphony and Lyric Opera to smaller community arts groups.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation offers flexible funding on a rolling basis through an online application portal:

  • General Operating Support: For core organizational operations (submit within first six months of fiscal year once year-end financials are available)
  • Program Support: For specific artistic programs and initiatives (no deadline restrictions)
  • Production Support: For specific performances or exhibitions (no deadline restrictions)
  • Fundraising Events: Support for arts-related fundraising activities (no deadline restrictions)
  • Capital Campaigns: For facilities and infrastructure projects (no deadline restrictions)

Priority Areas

The foundation exclusively supports arts organizations with the following characteristics:

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with arts as core mission
  • Greater Kansas City focus: Organizations primarily serving Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties (Missouri) and Johnson and Wyandotte counties (Kansas)
  • Performing and visual arts: Including theater, music, dance, opera, museums, and visual arts institutions
  • Quality and accessibility: Programs that enhance both artistic excellence and community access to the arts

The foundation supports a broad spectrum of arts organizations, from major institutions like the Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City Ballet, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and Kansas City Repertory Theatre to smaller community organizations.

What They Don't Fund

  • Religious activities
  • Deficit funding
  • Grants to individuals
  • Organizations outside the greater Kansas City area (except rare "legacy grants")

Governance and Leadership

Leadership

Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman - Chairman, President, and CEO

Julia Irene Kauffman, daughter of Muriel McBrien Kauffman, has led the foundation since her mother's death in 1995. She was instrumental in bringing her mother's vision of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts to fruition, overseeing the project from conception through its 2011 opening.

Foundation Philosophy (from Julia Irene Kauffman)

Julia has articulated a clear philosophy that guides the foundation's grantmaking:

On supporting organizations of all sizes: "I follow my mother's mission, which was to give to hundreds of things, even down to $1,000, across a four-county area. Because all of it helps to feed the arts and helps to feed the Center, and it's with the little groups that it can make the largest impact."

On youth arts education: "My mother was adamant, and so am I, about getting children to come and hear music," referring to bringing approximately 50,000 students into the Kauffman Center each year.

On mission continuity: "I want it to stay on mission … and I want to keep it moving for Kansas City, for the arts, and for the Performing Arts Center."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Create an Account All applicants must create an account through the foundation's online application portal at bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com.

Step 2: Prepare Required Materials

  • Organizational description, mission, history, and key achievements
  • Specific dollar amount requested with detailed description of how funds will be used
  • Relevant budgets (operating budget for general support requests; project/capital budget for specific requests)
  • Recent audited financial statements or IRS Form 990
  • List of current major funders and funding prospects for the proposal
  • Board members, officers, and staff roster
  • 501(c)(3) Federal Tax Determination letter

Step 3: Submit Application

  • General Operating Grants: Submit within the first six months of your fiscal year, once year-end financials are available
  • Project/Capital Grants: No deadline restrictions; rolling basis

Decision Timeline

  • Review frequency: Monthly basis
  • Typical decision timeframe: Within 60 days from receipt of complete proposal
  • Note: Larger funding requests or proposals that don't align closely with the foundation's mission may require longer review periods

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose its success rate or the total number of applications received. In 2023, the foundation made 169 awards totaling approximately $10 million.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has not published specific information about reapplication policies for declined applicants. Organizations interested in reapplying should contact the foundation at grants@mmkff.org for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and leadership guidance, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Geographic Alignment

Organizations must primarily serve the greater Kansas City area (Jackson, Clay, Platte counties in Missouri; Johnson, Wyandotte counties in Kansas). The foundation focuses the vast majority of funding within this region, with only rare "legacy grants" going elsewhere.

2. Arts-Centered Mission

The arts must be core to your organization's mission, not ancillary. The foundation was established specifically to support performing and visual arts organizations.

3. Accessibility and Community Impact

The foundation values programs that enhance both quality and accessibility of the arts. Julia Irene Kauffman has emphasized reaching diverse audiences, particularly youth, stating the foundation brings "approximately 50,000 students into the Kauffman Center each year."

4. Organizations of All Sizes Welcome

Unlike some major foundations that focus exclusively on large institutions, the Kauffman Family Foundation intentionally supports organizations across the spectrum. As Julia Irene Kauffman noted, "it's with the little groups that it can make the largest impact." Don't be discouraged if you're a smaller organization—the foundation has made grants as small as $1,000.

5. Connection to Foundation's Legacy

The foundation maintains strong relationships with major Kansas City arts institutions including the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City Ballet, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, UMKC Conservatory of Music, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and Kansas City Art Institute. Understanding how your work connects to or complements this ecosystem may strengthen your application.

6. Complete and Timely Applications

For general operating support requests, timing matters—submit within the first six months of your fiscal year once year-end financials are available. Ensure all required documentation is complete to avoid delays in the 60-day review timeline.

7. Clear Budget Justification

Provide detailed budgets specific to your request type. General operating requests need organizational budgets; project requests need project-specific budgets showing exactly how foundation funds will be used.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Broad but focused: The foundation supports a wide range of arts organizations from $1,000 to much larger grants, but exclusively within the performing and visual arts sector in greater Kansas City.

  • Rolling applications with timing considerations: While most grant types have no deadlines, general operating support requests should be submitted within the first six months of your fiscal year when financials are available.

  • 60-day decision window: Expect a decision within two months for most applications, though complex or large requests may take longer.

  • Size doesn't matter, mission does: Small grassroots organizations receive the same consideration as major institutions, provided the arts are central to their mission.

  • Youth engagement valued: Programs that bring arts experiences to children and students align with the foundation's stated priorities.

  • Legacy-driven leadership: Julia Irene Kauffman continues her mother's vision with clear commitment to staying "on mission" for Kansas City arts—applications that demonstrate understanding of this legacy may resonate.

  • Accessibility is key: The foundation prioritizes both quality and accessibility—show how your work makes the arts available to diverse Kansas City communities.

References

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