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William T. Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank of Kansas City N A T

Annual Giving
$16.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $2.5M
Decision Time
3mo

William T. Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank of Kansas City N A T

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16,297,117 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $272 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Quarterly board meetings (applications due 3 weeks prior)
  • Grant Range: $500 - $2,500,000
  • Median Grant: $35,000
  • Number of Grants: 134 grants (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Missouri (Kansas City and St. Louis metro areas), with grants also made in the broader Midwest and nationally

Contact Details

Address:
922 Walnut, Suite 200
Kansas City, Missouri 64106-1809

Alternative Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 13095
Kansas City, MO 64199-3095

Phone:

  • 816-234-2577
  • 816-234-2704
  • 816-234-2112

Trustee:
Commerce Bank, Trustee

EIN: 43-6345116

Note: The foundation does not have a public website. Contact the foundation directly to discuss proposals before submitting applications.

Overview

The William T. Kemper Foundation was established in 1989 following the death of William T. Kemper, continuing his lifelong commitment to improving the human condition and quality of life. With approximately $272 million in assets, the foundation distributed $16,297,117 in grants during 2024 across 134 awards. The foundation is managed by corporate trustees from Commerce Bank and is directly connected to the Kemper banking family's legacy in Kansas City. The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Missouri, with particular emphasis on the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas, though it also funds initiatives across the broader Midwest and nationally, including cities such as Chicago, New York, Seattle, and smaller communities. The foundation has demonstrated a consistent commitment to education, health, human services, civic improvements, and the arts, with a special interest in helping children and the homeless.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a rolling basis with quarterly board meetings. Grant amounts typically range from $500 to $2,500,000, with a median grant of $35,000. Most grants fall within the $1,000 to $50,000 range.

Priority Areas

The foundation gives primarily for:

  • Education (elementary, secondary, and university level)
  • Health and healthcare initiatives
  • Human Services (with special interest in children and the homeless)
  • Civic Improvements and urban development
  • Arts and Culture (including museums and performing arts)
  • Community Development and neighborhood improvement
  • Employment programs
  • Environmental initiatives

Recent Grant Examples (2023)

  • Forest Park Forever Inc.: $2,500,000 for Campaign for the Glade (over 3 years)
  • Children's Mercy Hospital: $1,000,000 for Acute Mental Health Crisis Center
  • The Opportunity Trust: $1,000,000 for expanding quality seats in St. Louis (over 3 years)
  • Kansas City Art Institute: $700,000 for Vanderslice Hall Renovation Project (over 2 years)
  • National World War I Museum and Memorial: $300,000 for preservation of Great War objects and documents

Geographic Scope

  • Primary Focus: Missouri (Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas)
  • Secondary Focus: Broader Midwest region
  • National Reach: The foundation has made grants in California, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Washington

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. The foundation accepts unsolicited applications, suggesting a relatively open approach to grant-making within their priority areas.

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Commerce Bank, N.A.T.

Key Leadership:

  • Jonathan M. Kemper - Chairman and Co-Trustee of the William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee; also serves as director on the Commerce Bancshares Inc. board

Foundation History:

The foundation is rooted in the Kemper family's banking legacy in Kansas City. William Thornton Kemper Sr. (1867-1938) was named president of the newly chartered Commerce Trust Company in 1906 and emerged from the bank panic of 1907 as the active president of the reorganized company. The Kemper family developed both Commerce Bancshares and United Missouri Bank to become a major banking family in the Midwest. James M. Kemper joined Commerce Trust as treasurer in 1924 and led the organization from 1925 to 1964. The William T. Kemper Foundation was established in 1989 following William T. Kemper's death and has since supported numerous cultural and educational initiatives in Kansas City.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts unsolicited applications. Prospective applicants should:

  1. Contact the foundation to discuss their proposal prior to formal submission
  2. Request application guidelines from the foundation
  3. Be aware that applications are due three weeks prior to each quarterly board meeting

Contact Information for Pre-Application Discussion:

  • Phone: 816-234-2577, 816-234-2704, or 816-234-2112
  • Mail: 922 Walnut, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64106-1809

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: Three weeks before each quarterly board meeting
  • Board Meetings: Quarterly (specific dates not publicly available - contact foundation for schedule)
  • Decision Timeline: Decisions are made at quarterly board meetings

Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation well in advance of their desired funding timeline to learn about upcoming board meeting dates and application deadlines.

Success Rates

Grant Activity:

  • 2024: 134 grants awarded
  • 2023: 130 grants awarded
  • 2022: 148 grants awarded

The foundation does not publicly disclose the number of applications received, so a specific success rate percentage is not available. However, the foundation accepts unsolicited applications and maintains a consistent grant-making program with over 130 grants awarded annually.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication guidelines and any waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

Given that specific guidance from the foundation is limited in public sources, the following factors can be inferred from their grant-making patterns:

Geographic Alignment

The foundation shows clear preference for Missouri organizations, particularly those in the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas. While national grants are made, local and regional organizations appear to receive priority consideration.

Multi-Year Support

The foundation has demonstrated willingness to make multi-year commitments for significant projects (e.g., $2.5M over 3 years to Forest Park Forever, $700K over 2 years to Kansas City Art Institute), suggesting they value sustained impact over one-time interventions.

Capital Projects and Infrastructure

Recent major grants suggest strong interest in capital campaigns, building renovations, and infrastructure improvements that create lasting community assets.

Established Institutions

Grant recipients include well-known, established organizations (Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City Art Institute, National WWI Museum), indicating the foundation may favor organizations with proven track records.

Pre-Application Engagement

The foundation explicitly recommends that potential applicants contact them to discuss proposals before submission, indicating they value relationship-building and want to provide guidance on fit and feasibility.

Strategic Community Impact

Large grants support initiatives with clear community-wide benefits (mental health services, educational access, cultural preservation), suggesting the foundation values projects with broad reach and significance.

Range of Grant Sizes

With grants ranging from $500 to $2.5 million and a median of $35,000, the foundation supports both small-scale and transformative projects, indicating flexibility based on organizational capacity and project scope.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Contact first: The foundation explicitly encourages pre-submission discussions. Use this opportunity to test your concept and build a relationship with program staff at Commerce Bank.

  • Know the deadlines: Plan ahead for quarterly board meetings. With applications due three weeks prior, you'll need to factor in time for pre-application consultation as well.

  • Geographic fit matters: Missouri organizations, especially those in Kansas City and St. Louis, receive priority. If you're outside this area, be prepared to make a compelling case for how your work aligns with the foundation's interests.

  • Think multi-year for major projects: The foundation has shown willingness to make significant, sustained commitments for transformational initiatives. Don't limit yourself to one-year requests if your project warrants longer-term support.

  • Demonstrate broad community impact: Recent large grants support projects with clear community-wide benefits. Articulate how your work serves the broader public good.

  • Consider capital and infrastructure needs: The foundation supports both programmatic and capital projects. Building renovations, equipment purchases, and infrastructure improvements are all viable funding requests.

  • Align with core priorities: Strong alignment with education, health, human services, civic improvements, or arts and culture is essential. Projects serving children and homeless populations receive special interest.

References

All sources accessed December 2024.

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