William T. Kemper Foundation

OVERVIEW: The William T. Kemper Foundation supports education, health, human services, civic improvements and the arts.

FUNDING AREAS: Education, health, human services, civic improvements, the arts

IP TAKE: The William T. Kemper Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers, restricting transparency about its grantmaking guidelines and application. The foundation is accessible to Missouri and Kansas nonprofits, but consider reaching out to the executive director to confirm its guidelines and introduce a program before submitting a proposal.

PROFILE: Established in 1989, the William T. Kemper Foundation is a family foundation based in Kansas City, Missouri. Kemper was the former president, director and chairman of First National Bank of Independence in Missouri. He was a University of Missouri graduate, well-known civic leader in Kansas City, and held top banking positions in Missouri and Kansas. Commerce Bank is the current foundation trustee. The foundation funds local efforts for education, health, human services, civic improvements and the arts.

Tax filings reveal that this funder provides broad support within its home region. Education grants support public and private academic institutions with program and capital funding. Kemper supports health and human services efforts that address the needs of the elderly, youth and people who are disabled or otherwise disadvantaged. Civic grants fund improvement projects for beautification and community resources. Art grants fund a variety of local institutions and art-related activities.

Grants range between about $1,000 and $1 million. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Missouri, Kansas and portions of Western Illinois. Past local grantees include the College of Architecture, Planning & Design at Kansas State University to support the Seaton Complex revitalization and expansion, After the Harvest, the American Jazz Museum and Cardinal Ritter College Prep.

This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Grantseekers should direct application materials to the foundation by mail and to the attention of Commerce Bank, Trustee. Potential grantees can find proposal guidelines in the foundation’s recent tax filings or contact the foundation for updated information. Direct general questions to the staff at 816-234-2577.

PEOPLE:

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