Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

The energy will leap from the pages!

We enjoyed a wonderful visit last week from Hal Williams, founder and president of the Rensalaerville Institute. Hal enlighted our board, staff, and donors with insights into effective grant making, focusing on the characteristics that distinguish a charitable "investor" from a mere charitable "funder." Among many other words of wisdom, Hal encouraged all of us to look for human energy in an organization . . . . people with the stamina, optimism, and sense of humor who are the lifeblood of any successful enterprise. If you would like to learn more about this concept, click here to request a copy of Hal's powerful "energy audit."

I don't know about you, but after a weekend of chasing after three little children, I could use an infusion of energy! If you need a little inspiration, the Community Foundation's hot-off-the-press annual report, featuring scholarship stories, may give you the boost you need. If you have a fund at the Community Foundation, your copy will arrive in your mailbox later this week. If you are not yet part of the Community Foundation's family of giving, click here to request that a copy be mailed to you . . . . and even better, click here to find out how you can easily start your own personal or family foundation fund for a fee of as little as $21 per month.

Here's a glimpse of the energy you'll find in the pages of the report . . . .

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Greater Kansas City’s Hispanic Scholarship Fund, since its inception in 1984, has awarded more than 1,930 scholarships totaling almost $1.5 million through money raised from the public and private sector, as well as matching scholarships from area colleges and universities.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarships each year to college students of Hispanic descent who are both entering or continuing their college education. The fund is overseen by the Hispanic Development Fund, one of the Community Foundation’s affiliated foundations.

“The Hispanic Scholarship Fund continues to be one of the few local scholarship programs in the country that consistently awards more than 80 scholarships each year,” said Ramon Murguia, chair of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Advisory Board. “We are very proud that our scholarship fund has contributed to the success of many area professional Latinos and we plan to continue investing in our community’s future by providing support for education.”

For complete scholarship criteria please visit our scholarship page.

Destination Wedding ... in Kansas City!?!?

Destination wedding hotspots: Hawaii, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman . . . . and Kansas City! Yes, Kansas City. My sister's wedding over the weekend drew friends from around the country right here to Kansas City. Caroline and her fiancée, who live in North Carolina, could have tied the knot at any tropical getaway, but instead chose the home town for the celebration. Guests were impressed with the beauty of the fountains and boulevards, the ease of getting around town, the shopping, the arts, and of course, the fabulous fall weather.

It is easy to take Kansas City for granted. This weekend was a wonderful reminder to me about the importance of the Community Foundation's mission: improving the quality of life in our community. All of us together are striving to make Kansas City a better place to live—and visit—for generations to come. As you fulfill your own community dreams through the power of philanthropy, consider how your investments in local charitable causes make our community a better place to run a business, raise a family, and enjoy life.

I don't know about you, but I am hitched to Kansas City!

Back to School

As I said goodbye to my six-year-old at the door of the elementary school, it struck me just how fortunate Ann is to be heading back to school. (Actually that was my second thought, following the shock of realizing I have a first grader!) Unfortunately there are many first graders in our region who will not leave twelfth grade prepared to continue their education--practically a must in today's economy.

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation's leadership initiative, "Time to Get It Right," focuses attention on the importance of educational opportunity--for all children--to secure a bright future for Kansas City. That is why our 2006 annual report features a handful of the 152 scholarship funds that are part of our family of giving. Each scholarship fund--like each of the Community Foundation's nearly 2,000 funds--has an amazing story behind it. You will be inspired by glimpses of the wonderful ways Kansas Citians are giving back to our community. We are grateful for the donors who are willing to share their stories, inspiring others to experience the joy of making a difference. The annual report's featured donors certainly understand why Benjamin Franklin once wrote that "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

We each have our own charitable cause. But we have one thing in common. We all are improving the quality of life in our region. You can, too, if you are not yet a donor. Visit the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation at www.gkccf.org. You'll see just how easy it is to make a difference. Together.