Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Kauffman Foundation is the registered 501c3 nonprofit, private foundation based in Kansas City, Missouri. It was founded in 1966 by Ewing Marion Kauffman, who had previously founded a drug agency Marion Laboratories. The Kauffman Foundation works with communities to develop as well as support everyone that boost entrepreneurship, modernizing education, in addition to contribute to the vibrancy of Kansas City.

The Kauffman Fellows Program, requested for supporting diversity in the field of venture capital, originated from the Kauffman Foundation. In a statement subjected by TechCrunch, fellows said that they “have measured the importance of a trusted diverse network and how it impacts the success and longevity of the best investors in the industry. Research has introduced that Kauffman Fellows non only take larger returns than the industry average, but they stay in the industry 15+ years post-fellowship, which is 2X the minimum number of years it takes to recognize success in venture capital.”

History

In 2002, academic and entrepreneur Carl Schramm left a Maryland healthcare consulting firm to serve as president of the foundation until his resignation in 2012. Schramm's tenure was marked by conflicts over the foundation's mission and grant-making strategy, and he faced criticism for focusing on maximizing affect by awarding larger grants to fewer recipients and for de-emphasizing develope in and around Kansas City. clash also arose over the extent of his executive authority, which prompted the Missouri Attorney General to recommend that the foundation strengthen its clash of interest provisions and give the board of directors more decision-making authority.

In May 2022, EMKF announced a partnership and $10 million donation with the national community developing initiative, well Cities. The partnership saw the launch of a $100 million fund aimed at addressing the underinvestment in, Black, indigenous and people of colour communities.