Children's Services Fund of Jackson County

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $27.4 million (2024)
Total Awarded Since 2016: Over $185 million
Grant Range: Up to $750,000 annually per organization
Decision Time: Varies by application cycle
Geographic Focus: Jackson County, Missouri
Organizations Funded: 100+ partner organizations
Children Served: 69,000+ (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 2345 Grand Blvd, Suite 1450, Kansas City, MO 64108

Phone: (816) 832-6340

Email: Available through contact form at jacksoncountykids.org

Website: https://jacksoncountykids.org

Pre-Application Support: Organizations are encouraged to contact CSF staff with questions about eligibility at [email protected]

Overview

The Children's Services Fund of Jackson County (CSF) was established in 2017 following voter approval in November 2016 of a 1/8 cent sales tax dedicated to children's services. In November 2022, Jackson County voters re-authorized and increased the tax to 1/4 cent, demonstrating strong community support for the Fund's mission. CSF is a stand-alone organization led by an independent nine-member board appointed by the County Executive. Since its inception, CSF has awarded over $185 million to more than 100 local partner organizations, funding 209 programs across eight service areas. In 2024 alone, CSF invested over $27.4 million in programs serving more than 69,000 children and youth. The Fund's vision is to "create community, fairly distribute funds and openly advocate for the emotional and social well-being of Jackson County children." CSF operates with a strong commitment to equity and transparency, working to ensure that all organizations—including small nonprofits and first-time applicants—have fair access to funding opportunities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Core Funding (Primary Program)

Grant Range: Up to $750,000 annually per organization (maximum $1.5 million over two-year contract period)
Contract Period: Two-year contracts (most recent cycle: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026)
Application Schedule: Fixed application cycles with specific deadlines
Funding Model: Reimbursement-based (partners submit reimbursement requests up to awarded amount)
Project Limit: Organizations may apply for up to two separate projects; organizations currently receiving funding for one project may only apply for one additional project
Fiscal Year Options: Organizations can choose Calendar Year (January 1 - December 31) or Academic Year (July 1 - June 30)

Core Funding supports programs across 10 key service areas:

Counseling and Assessment
Crisis Intervention
Family Support Interventions (Home and Community-Based)
Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment
Outpatient Substance Use Treatment
Prevention
Respite Care
Supports for Teen Parents
Temporary Shelter
Transitional Living

Capacity Building

Total Investment: $8,237,875 awarded to 77 projects since inception
Purpose: Investing in organizational growth and development of partner agencies

Priority Areas

CSF prioritizes programs that:

Promote children's mental health and emotional well-being
Strengthen families of children and youth under age 19
Provide crisis intervention services
Offer counseling and therapy services
Deliver home and community-based family interventions
Provide shelter and transitional living services
Focus on prevention programs
Support social-emotional development
Remove systemic barriers to services
Increase protective factors for children
Build community resilience

The Fund's Community Impact Framework focuses on:

Prevention
Resilience building
Community strengthening
Equitable access to services

What They Don't Fund

CSF explicitly does not fund:

Inpatient medical services
Transportation services
Capital campaigns
Construction expenses

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The CSF is governed by a nine-member independent board appointed by the Jackson County Executive. The board is balanced to reflect county demographics and is committed to community equity.

Current Board Members:

Amy Harris - Chair, District 1
Brian Kaberline - Vice Chair, District 3
Judy Morgan - Secretary, District 1
Monica Meeks - Treasurer, District 6
Daniel Nelson - District 1
Jessica Ramirez - District 5
Ralph Teran - District 1

Leadership Team

Rob Whitten, NCC/LPC - CEO

Over 25 years of experience in child welfare
Strong understanding of trauma's impact on children
Has worked for over a decade to increase community capacity around trauma-informed care and resilience
Quote: "If you think about those 64,000 kids that are getting services this year, I don't know where those services exist."

Moji Shogbamimu - Chief Financial Officer

20+ years of nonprofit financial management experience

Jovanna Rohs - Chief Program Officer

Two decades of experience in early childhood development

Jane Mosley - Director of Impact

Expertise in learning, evaluation, and philanthropy

Russell Anderson - Director of Health Equity

Katherine Rivard - Program Officer

Experience in grantmaking, program development, and nonprofit management

Bernadette Thompson - Program Officer

Background in academic environments with trauma-informed practices

Kia Cannon - Operations Manager

Experience in client services, customer relations, and operations

Shannon Dupree - Accounting Specialist

Celeste Ortiz - Contracts Administrator

Background in nonprofit project management and volunteer coordination

Sue Richter - Special Projects

30+ years in operations across corporate and nonprofit sectors

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CSF uses an online Partner Portal (FLUXX) for all applications. The application process includes the following steps:

Confirm Eligibility: Ensure your organization meets basic requirements
Create Organizational Profile:
- First-time applicants must register their organization in the FLUXX portal
- Complete eligibility quiz
- Provide organizational details, EIN, and contact information
Submit Funding Application:
- Access Partner Portal to complete funding application
- Self-select one outcome from within CSF's Community Impact Framework
- Prepare for in-person presentation (see below)
Participate in Presentation: Applicants participate in an in-person presentation/discussion with CSF staff to discuss their proposed project

Application Method: Online portal with fixed deadlines

Decision Timeline

Recent Application Cycle Timeline (for reference):

Application Supporting Documents Deadline: June 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM CDT
Core Funding Applicant Presentations/Discussions: August 12 - September 20, 2024
Notification of Funding Decisions: October 18, 2024
Contract Start Date: January 1, 2025

All funding decisions are made by the CSF Board of Directors. All applicants are notified of outcomes regardless of the result.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However:

Since 2016, CSF has funded over 100 partner organizations
129 programs were supported in 2024
$154 million in Core Funding has been awarded since inception
77 Capacity Building projects have been funded

Reapplication Policy

Organizations not chosen for funding are actively encouraged to schedule time with a CSF team member to debrief the process for future success. This indicates that unsuccessful applicants can reapply in future cycles. No specific waiting periods or restrictions on reapplication were identified in available documentation.

Application Success Factors

CSF's Approach to Applicants

CSF explicitly works to educate and support all applicants, ensuring that everyone—including small organizations and first-timers—has a fair shot at funding. This supportive approach is central to the Fund's equity commitment.

Key Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, organizations must:

Provide services to children ages 19 and under in Jackson County, Missouri
Be incorporated or authorized to do business in the State of Missouri as a not-for-profit corporation or government entity
Be certified or licensed to provide funded services (if applicable)
Provide services without discrimination
Maintain client confidentiality
Screen all employees and volunteers who work with children

Important Considerations

Community Impact Framework Alignment: Applicants must self-select one outcome from CSF's Community Impact Framework, demonstrating how their program aligns with the Fund's strategic approach
In-Person Presentations: Be prepared to participate in presentations/discussions with CSF staff—this is a key part of the evaluation process
Evidence-Based Approaches: CSF values programs that use evidence-based practices
Equity Focus: Programs that demonstrate commitment to equitable access and removing systemic barriers align well with CSF priorities
Reimbursement Model: Organizations should have sufficient cash flow to operate on a reimbursement basis
Debriefing Opportunities: Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to debrief with CSF staff—take advantage of this learning opportunity for future applications

Strategic Priorities

CSF emphasizes:

Mental health and social-emotional well-being of children
Strengthening families
Trauma-informed care and resilience
Prevention services (these receive significant funding allocation)
Individual and family counseling
Home and community interventions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Equity-Focused Funder: CSF actively supports small organizations and first-time applicants—don't be intimidated if you're new to the fund
Community Impact Framework Required: Carefully review CSF's Community Impact Framework and clearly articulate which outcome your program addresses
Prepare for Presentations: The in-person presentation is a critical component—be ready to discuss your program in detail with CSF staff
Two-Year Commitment: Funding is awarded in two-year contracts, so demonstrate sustainability and long-term planning
Reimbursement Model: Ensure your organization can manage cash flow under a reimbursement structure
Debrief if Unsuccessful: Take advantage of CSF's willingness to debrief unsuccessful applications—this feedback is invaluable for future success
Alignment with Priorities: Programs focusing on mental health, prevention, trauma-informed care, and family strengthening are strongly aligned with CSF's mission
Geographic Specificity: All services must directly benefit children and youth in Jackson County, Missouri

References

Children's Services Fund of Jackson County Official Website - https://jacksoncountykids.org - Accessed January 6, 2026
How to Apply - Children's Services Fund of Jackson County - https://jacksoncountykids.org/how-to-apply/ - Accessed January 6, 2026
About The Fund - Children's Services Fund of Jackson County - https://jacksoncountykids.org/about/ - Accessed January 6, 2026
Who We Fund - Children's Services Fund of Jackson County - https://jacksoncountykids.org/who-we-fund/ - Accessed January 6, 2026
Meet the Team - Children's Services Fund of Jackson County - https://jacksoncountykids.org/team/ - Accessed January 6, 2026
Contact - Children's Services Fund of Jackson County - https://jacksoncountykids.org/contact/ - Accessed January 6, 2026
Resources - Children's Services Fund of Jackson County - https://jacksoncountykids.org/resources/ - Accessed January 6, 2026
Jackson County Community Childrens Service Fund - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/822446441 - Accessed January 6, 2026
Children's Services Fund of Jackson County - Cause IQ - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jackson-county-community-childrens-service-fund,822446441/ - Accessed January 6, 2026
Children's Services Fund Board - Jackson County MO - https://www.jacksongov.org/Government/Boards-Commissions/Childrens-Services-Fund-Board - Accessed January 6, 2026
Children's Services Fund of Jackson County Core Funding - Greater Kansas City Community Foundation - https://grants.growyourgiving.org/prog/childrens_services_fund_of_jackson_county_core_funding/ - Accessed January 6, 2026