At United Way of Greater Kansas City, we believe that every child deserves the chance to thrive, both in and out of the classroom. That’s why youth opportunity is one of our core pillars of impact. From early learning to high school graduation and beyond, we invest in programs that help young people build brighter futures through academic support, mental health care, stable housing, and more.
The back-to-school season is an exciting time. However, for many Kansas City families, it can also bring added stress, from securing school supplies to finding safe and reliable before- and after-school care. According to the National Retail Federation, K-12 shoppers plan to spend an average of $146.45 on school supplies alone, per child. That amount doesn’t include clothing, shoes, electronics, and other school requirements. Additionally, the price of a typical school supply list has increased 7.7% over the past year, with some essentials seeing much larger jumps.
That’s where local nonprofit partners step in. As the school year kicks off, we’re highlighting five organizations that are going above and beyond to ensure students are ready to learn, grow, and succeed:
Equal Start
Equal Start is dedicated to providing low-income families of Platte County, Missouri an equal and safe opportunity for school readiness by enriching physical, mental, and social well-being. The Equal Start Back-to-School Fair is an exciting community event dedicated to helping students kick off the school year with confidence. This free program supports qualifying local families by providing essential back-to-school resources to those who meet income guidelines, setting them up for success. To date, over 10,400 backpacks and 8,850 hygiene kits have been distributed to students!
Guadalupe Center
Impact 100 partner, Guadalupe Center, aims to improve lives in Latino communities throughout the Kansas City area. The Guadalupe Centers Early Childhood Center first opened its doors in 1985. We are accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. We are a Head Start program and teach Creative Curriculum along with Conscious Discipline.
Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council
The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council is a neighborhood improvement organization composed of neighborhood residents and an ever-growing number of partners committed to achieving Ivanhoe’s vision of becoming a thriving community. For the 2026-2027 school year, the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council Backpack Giveaway will distribute over 300 backpacks filled with school supplies for children before they return to the classroom. Additionally, free barber services and hair braiding for kids will make sure students are confident and ready to learn.
Phoenix Family
Phoenix Family’s Operation Backpack is an annual back-to-school drive in Kansas City that provides new backpacks and essential school supplies to local children in need. A backpack may seem small. To a child who doesn’t have one, or who watches everyone else unpack new supplies while theirs are borrowed or broken, it shapes how the whole year begins. Operation Backpack gets supplies into the hands of children in Phoenix Family communities before the first day of school, so they walk in prepared and ready to belong.
Vibrant Health
Vibrant Health is a community health center that provides medical, dental, and behavioral health services to more than 20,000 patients in Kansas City, including pediatric care and well-child visits to support healthy growth from infancy through adolescence. Ahead of a new school year, Vibrant Health’s Back to School Bash provides free books, backpacks, food, bikes, and more to local students. Day-of physicals and vaccinations are provided, ensuring students are ready for the first day of school.
When the community invests in our students, we invest in our future. As the school year begins, these nonprofits and so many more are providing hope to thousands of students across Kansas City.
Discover how you can get involved, whether by volunteering your time or donating essential items to organizations that support students throughout the metro. Visit our Community Partners Directory for volunteer opportunities.