Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation Grant

The Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation Grant supports diverse arts programs in the greater Kansas City area, enhancing accessibility and quality. Established in 1987, the Foundation has a rich history of funding significant organizations like the Kansas City Symphony and Ballet. It accepts proposals from 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations focusing on performing and visual arts, promoting community growth. The Foundation prioritizes local initiatives while maintaining a commitment to the arts, providing vital funding for both large and small grantees.

NOTE: Grant proposals are reviewed on a monthly basis. We try to honor each proposal by responding promptly to all requests. Generally, grantees will be informed of the Foundation’s funding decision within sixty days from the date the proposal was received. However, please keep in mind that the time frame and route a grant proposal takes through the Foundation are affected by the size of the investment and how closely it aligns with the Foundation’s mission.
The Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation is a private foundation established by Muriel Irene Kauffman in 1987 with a vision toward communities in which the arts flourish.
The Foundation provides significant annual funding for the Kansas City Symphony, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Kansas City Ballet, and the Harriman-Jewell Series, which were appropriated by Mrs. Kauffman in 1994 when she established $1 million endowments for each organization. Other significant grantees include the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, UMKC Conservatory of Music, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, ArtsKC – Regional Arts Council and the Kansas City Art Institute. Examples of some of the smaller grantees to which annual funding is provided include The Coterie Theatre, Owen/Cox Dance Group, Kansas City Chorale, Charlotte Street Foundation, and Youth Symphony of Kansas City.

Eligibility

What We Fund: Funding is provided for general operations, program support, specific productions, fundraising events and capital campaigns. Who We Fund: The Foundation accepts written grant proposals from tax-exempt organizations that are classified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that enhance the quality and accessibility of the arts in the greater Kansas City community.Where We Fund: The Foundation focuses its philanthropic activities on the performing and visual arts, with the majority of grants being awarded to organizations in Kansas City. Minimal funding is provided to qualifying organizations that fall outside of the greater Kansas City area, and any such grants are predominantly “legacy grants.” We define the greater Kansas City community as the following counties: Jackson, Clay, and Platte in Missouri; Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas.

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not provide funding for religious activities, deficit funding or grants to individuals.