Uncommon Leader Impact Award Grant

The Uncommon Leader Impact Award, presented by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, honors non-C-suite employees at 501(c)(3) public charities making significant contributions to economic mobility in Kansas City. Awarded biennially, it recognizes those demonstrating community impact, equity, collaboration, and innovation. In December, one recipient will receive $50,000 and $100,000 for their organization, underscoring the foundation's commitment to fostering sustainable change and uplifting underrepresented voices within the community.

Note: The awards will be offered annually on alternating years. The Impact Award will be offered in 2025 and the Visionary Award in 2026.
The Uncommon Leader Impact Award recognizes non-C-suite employees at 501(c)(3) public charities who drive meaningful impact through their work aligned with the Kauffman Foundation’s mission to advance economic mobility, exemplify the core values of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman, and demonstrate significant contributions to the Kansas City region.
Recognized at the Uncommon Leader Award Ceremony this December:

• One awardee will receive $50,000 individually and $100,000 for their organization.
• Award Criteria

The Impact Award criteria are based on Mr. Kauffman’s core values of community impact, equity, collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to economic mobility.
Equity
Mr. Kauffman aimed to ensure that opportunities were accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or background.
The nominee actively involves and uplifts underrepresented voices within the community.The nominee provides individuals and communities with the support and resources they need to succeed – recognizing that people start from different places and need different kinds of support to achieve equitable outcomes.
Collaboration
Mr. Kauffman strongly believed in collaboration as a key to sustainable change and community impact. He emphasized that, “No one person, organization, or institution can solve complex social problems alone. Real progress comes from people working together – sharing ideas, resources, and responsibility to achieve common goals.”
The nominee collaborates within their organization as well as with other organizations and community members to achieve collective goals.
Innovation
Mr. Kauffman encouraged the Kauffman Foundation to explore new approaches and innovative solutions to tackle complex problems.
The nominee demonstrates leadership by inspiring others to take action or by leading successful initiatives.The nominee uses innovative approaches to solve community challenges or improve existing programs.
Economic Mobility
Mr. Kauffman was deeply committed to economic mobility and systems change, particularly through entrepreneurship and education. He believed that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve success, regardless of their background. Mr. Kauffman worked to change the systems that created inequality: “You don’t fix problems by patching symptoms – you change the system so the problems don’t happen in the first place.”
The nominee demonstrates a visionary and systems-level approach to economic mobility.The nominee works to dismantle systemic barriers.

Eligibility

Please keep in mind all nominees must meet the following eligibility criteria:Must be a full-time, non-C-suite employee at a 501(c)(3) public charity organization. A non-C-suite employee is anyone who does not hold a position at the highest executive level of a company. Any executive that reports directly to the CEO/Executive Director and is considered a part of the executive leadership team is not eligible.We define the Kansas City region as Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties in Missouri, and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas.

Ineligibility

Cannot be a board member of the 501(c)(3) public charity organization of which you are a non-C-suite employee.Cannot have been a Kauffman Foundation employee or board member from June 2020 to present.Cannot be an immediate family member of a Kauffman Foundation associate or board member.