Collective Impact Grant

The Collective Impact grant program, offered by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, supports systems-level change efforts aimed at closing economic mobility gaps in the Kansas City region. The Foundation, known for its dedication to education, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement, structures this opportunity as a two-phase grant: a planning stage followed by a multi-year implementation phase. This initiative targets coalitions led by trusted, high-capacity intermediaries capable of convening diverse stakeholders and fostering collaboration aligned with Kauffman’s strategic priorities. In the planning phase, coalitions may apply for grants of up to $500,000 to support a nine-month period dedicated to developing a comprehensive systems-change strategy. The coalition must be either existing or newly formed and should clearly define the issue it intends to address, provide an evidence-based rationale for intervention, and design a collaborative framework to guide the process. Importantly, beneficiaries most affected by the systemic challenge should be integrated meaningfully into the planning and decision-making. The intermediary organization is expected to submit a detailed, shared planning budget and engage in regular dialogue with the Foundation, including check-ins and collaborative learning sessions. After the planning phase, eligible coalitions that develop a compelling and viable plan may be invited to apply for implementation funding ranging from $5 million to $20 million over three or more years. These grants are intended to support the actual execution of the systems-change strategy developed in the planning phase. Proposals should include a vision statement, a theory of change, a logic model, and measurable outcomes, all rooted in a landscape analysis and informed by those closest to the problem. Implementation grants should also demonstrate stakeholder engagement, a sustainability plan, risk mitigation strategies, and clear governance structures. The Foundation emphasizes five core components of collective impact: a common agenda, shared measurement, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and backbone support. The latter refers to the intermediary’s role in coordinating the coalition, mobilizing funding, advancing policy, and supporting aligned activities. The Foundation sees itself as a partner in the process, offering technical assistance and national resources to support grantees throughout both planning and implementation. The program is currently closed to new applicants, with the next application window anticipated to open in Summer 2026. A dedicated contact at the Kauffman Foundation is provided for support during the planning grant period, and the Research, Learning, and Evaluation team collaborates with grantees to ensure shared learning and rigorous evaluation practices are embedded from the beginning. To apply, coalitions must submit proposals via the Foundation’s application portal once the cycle reopens. The process includes submitting a planning grant proposal that, if successful, may lead to an invitation for an implementation grant application. While an invitation does not guarantee funding, it is contingent on the submission of a robust, actionable systems-change plan that aligns with the Foundation’s focus areas of education, employer connection, and equitable access.

Prioritize equitable inclusion, demonstrate strong coalition leadership, include beneficiaries in planning, and provide data-backed logic model.