The William J. Brace Charitable Trust is a private foundation established in 1958 to support nonprofit organizations serving Kansas City, Missouri. Administered by Bank of America Private Bank, the foundation's primary mission is to promote quality educational, cultural, human services, and healthcare programs with a strong local impact. The trust prioritizes programs that address the education and health of children, the health and care of older adults, and the needs of hospitals serving Kansas City. Preference is given to organizations operating directly within this community.
The foundation welcomes proposals from tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that align with its program focus areas. These areas include arts, culture, and humanities; education; health; human services; and community improvement and capacity building. While the foundation supports both program-specific and general operating requests, it does not consider capital support proposals. Grants are awarded for one-year terms, though budgets may reflect multi-year strategies provided the request is limited to a single year of funding.
The application process is fully online and coordinated through Bank of America’s philanthropic portal. Proposals must be submitted by October 31 each year. If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, applicants must submit by the previous business day by 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Applicants are encouraged to begin their submission early, as technical support is only available during standard business hours, Monday through Friday.
After submission, proposals are reviewed internally by a philanthropic team in consultation with advisors or co-trustees when applicable. Grant decisions are announced by the end of January following the application deadline. If funded, grantees must submit a post-grant evaluation report within one year of the award date. This report includes an update on project goals, lasting outcomes, financial summaries, and, where relevant, plans for sustaining the project.
Inquiries before application are encouraged and may be directed to Tony Twyman, Senior Philanthropic Client Manager, or to the Missouri Philanthropic Solutions team via the foundation’s grantmaking email. The William J. Brace Charitable Trust continues to support efforts that improve the wellbeing of Kansas City’s residents, ensuring that its resources benefit the local community in alignment with the legacy of its founder.
Focus on children’s education/health, elder care; no capital asks; contact early with questions
