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Up To Date

Kauffman Scholars funded more than 2,500 Kansas City students over its 2 decades

By Steve Kraske,
Elizabeth Ruiz
Published January 11, 2024 at 4:00 AM CST
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Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kauffman Scholars invested $140 million into the futures of students from under-resourced and marginalized communities in the Kansas City area.

Since 2003, the Kauffman Scholars program invested $140 million to help Kansas City-area students in under-resourced areas pursue an education and a successful career.

For 20 years, students from under-resourced communities in the Kansas City metro have been given a chance to better their educational outcome thanks to the support of the Kauffman Scholars program.

The flexibility of the program allowed Kauffman Scholars to seek opportunities other than a traditional four-year degree, including certificate programs, military and law enforcement.

"The program was impactful in connecting them to various resources throughout the community, helping them build that capital to be able to navigate, to understand what jobs and opportunities were needed and necessary," said DeAngela Burns-Wallace, CEO and president of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

The final cohort of Kauffman Scholars graduated in 2023. In total, 2,568 student scholars and their families received mentorship, training and financial support through the program.

Burns-Wallace said the work to support Kansas City-area residents will continue through KC Scholars and Great Jobs KC.

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Up To Date PodcastKauffman FoundationeducationcollegeNonprofits
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Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
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Elizabeth Ruiz
As a producer for Up To Date, my goal is to inform our audience by curating interesting and important conversations with reliable sources and individuals directly affected by a topic or issue. I strive for our program to be a place that hosts impactful conversations, providing our audience with greater knowledge, intrigue, compassion and entertainment. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.
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