United Way of Greater Kansas City, with support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, is pleased to announce the continuation of major investments into small community organizations through the Nonprofit Catalyst Fund.
Established in February 2023, the goal of the fund is to advance the work and mission of small nonprofits that are led by or primarily serve Black, Latino, and other people of color across United Way’s six-county service area.
With this newest round of funding, a total of 88 organizations have now received grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 each, totaling $2.1M. Recipients are 501(c)(3) public charities supporting education, human services, entrepreneurship, workforce skill building, economic mobility and community development.
“The investments made possible through the Nonprofit Catalyst Fund are truly life-changing and provide a major impact to these organizations,” said Essence Yancey, United Way director of community impact. “A connection to United Way is a powerful megaphone to amplify their work, and these additional financial resources allow them to add staff, create new and sustain existing programming, and to build resiliency that makes a tangible difference in the lives of our fellow Kansas Citians.”
Nonprofit organizations – particularly smaller organizations with strong ties to the communities they serve – are significant contributors to an equitable and inclusive economic development system, not only as employers and community conveners, but also in the delivery of critical programs and services that promote inclusive prosperity.
“Looking across the list of organizations in this third round of funding, we see front-line operators with everyday commitments to serving individuals, breaking through persistent barriers, and reshaping the landscape of Kansas City,” said DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Ed.D., president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. “We are honored to join with United Way in elevating their work in our communities.”
Nonprofit Catalyst Fund grantees in this round are receiving a combined $500,000 and include:
Art as Mentorship | (Kansas City, Mo.) Youth Development, Entrepreneurship
Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute | (Kansas City, Mo.) Workforce Development, Healthcare Advocacy
Center of Grace | (Olathe, Kan.) Financial Security, Life Skills Training
Communities Creating Opportunity | (Kansas City, Mo.) Financial Security, Community Development
Decarcerate KC | (Kansas City, Mo.) Human Services Fathers Assisting Mothers Inc. | (Kansas City, Mo.) Human Services
Full Throttle Foundation KC | (Kansas City, Kan.) Human Services
Green Acres Farm & Research Project | (Kansas City, Mo.) Human Services, Community Development
Kansas City Dream Center | (Kansas City, Kan.) Human Services
Kansas City Women in Technology | (Kansas City, Mo.) Education, Workforce Development
Korean American Society of Greater KC | (Overland Park, Kan.) Human Services
Next Paige Foundation | (Kansas City, Mo.) Youth Development
Phoenix Family | (Kansas City, Mo.) Financial Security
Poetry for Personal Power | (Kansas City, Kan.) Human Services
Reaching Out from Within | (Kansas City, Kan.) Human Services
Redemptorist Social Services Center | (Kansas City, Mo.) Human Services
River of Refuge | (Kansas City, Mo.) Human Services
Ryogoku Soccer Academy | (Kansas City, Mo.) Youth Development
Santa Fe Area Council | (Kansas City, Mo.) Community Development
Seeing Yourself in Science dba RW2 Career & Technical Education | (Lee’s Summit, Mo.) Workforce Development, Tech Education
Soul of Santa Do Good Foundation | (Kansas City, Mo.) Human Services
The Kansas City Defender | (Kansas City, Mo.) Human Services
Urban Technology Empowered Communities Urban TEC | (Kansas City, Mo.) Education, Workforce Development
Youth Ambassadors | (Kansas City, Mo.) Education, Workforce Development
