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Community Grants

Deepening our investment in the health of Kansas City

After serving Kansas City for decades, The Research Foundation is deepening our investment in the health of our community through a new grants program.

In alignment with local needs and the foundation’s historic programmatic focus, The Research Foundation will award community grants in support of programs and organizations that expand access to care, promote health equity, and address the health care pipeline and promote retention within the health care work force.

What are you looking for?

Our Application Process
Our Eligibility Requirements
Our Grant Info Meetings
Frequently Asked Questions

  • Access to care

    Expanding access to care

  • Workforce

    Addressing the health care pipeline and promoting retention within the health care workforce

  • Health equity

    Promoting health equity

Application Process 

1. The Community Grants Application will open on June 1, 2023. Schedule a call with Jennifer, Director of Community Grants, if you would like to discuss eligibility or receive assistance at any point in the application process .

2. Attend a grant info meeting either in person on June 1, 2023 or virtually on June 5, 2023. Attendance is encouraged but not required to apply. A recording of the virtual meeting will be available on this page after June 5.

3. Submit an application by September 15, 2023.

4. All applicants will be notified of grant decisions by December 15, 2023.

Eligibility Requirements

Geographic Area

The Research Foundation focuses its funding on organizations that primarily serve residents of Jackson County, Missouri with a priority on urban Kansas City.

Organization Status

Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3). We do not support 509(a)(3) organizations. We do not make grants to organizations with a pending 501(c)(3) status.

Focus Areas

Community grants are awarded in alignment with the following priorities:

  • Expanding access to care
  • Promoting health equity
  • Addressing the health care pipeline and promoting retention within the health care workforce

Support Types

Support is available to any program delivered by an eligible applicant that aligns with the stated priorities. All program applicants are allowed to request 10% in indirect costs to help ease the burden of overhead necessary to deliver the program.

Nonprofit organizations with health-centric missions for whom more than half of their program offerings are in alignment with The Research Foundation's stated priorities can apply for general operating support.

Community Grant Info Meetings

Our Community Grant Info Meetings will allow you to learn more about our application process and eligbility requirements. Sign up to receive updates on when registration for these meetings open as well as more details about our grants program by clicking the button below.

  • In-Person Community Grant Info Meeting
    In-Person Community Grant Info Meeting

    9-10 a.m.
    June 1, 2023
    1-North Conference Room in Research Medical Center
    Space is limited to the first 45 attendees that register.

  • Virtual Community Grant Info Meeting
    Virtual Community Grant Info Meeting

    2-3 p.m.
    June 5, 2023
    Via Zoom

  • Frequently Asked Questions >>>

    What is The Research Foundation’s geographic focus?
    The Research Foundation will provide support for organizations that primarily serve residents of Jackson County, Missouri (more than 50% of those served must be Jackson County residents) with a priority on urban Kansas City.

    How does my organization apply for a grant?
    Organizations must apply online through The Research Foundation grant portal.

    What is the timeline for grant applications and awards?
    The current community grants cycle will support program or operating activities that occur during the 2024 calendar year. The application, decision, and post-award timeline is detailed below.

    • Community Grant Info Meetings: June 1, 2023 and June 5, 2023
      • In-Person: 9 to 10 a.m. | June 1, 2023 | 1-North Confernece Room in Research Medical Center
      • Virtual: 2 - 3 p.m. | June 5, 2023 | Via Zoom
    • Application Deadline: September 15, 2023
    • Notification of Awards:  No later than December 15, 2023
    • Site Visits/Interim Reporting: Conducted between May and July 2024
    • Final Report Deadline: January 2025

    Does The Research Foundation fund general operating support?
    Nonprofit organizations with health-centric missions for whom more than half of their program offerings are in alignment with the stated priorities can apply for general operating support.

    Does The Research Foundation fund multi-year grants?
    The Research Foundation will make one-year grant awards only. Multi-year requests will not be considered at this time.

    Can an organization submit more than one application per year?
    The Research Foundation will only accept one application per organization per year.

    What is the average grant size?
    Approximately $1.7 million is available through this commmunity grants process. We encourage applicants to ask for what they need with the understanding that most grants funded will be in the range of $25,000 to $50,000.

    Will my organization be required to submit reports?
    Funded organizations will be required to participate in either verbal or written interim and final reporting to follow up on agreed upon outcomes and ensure organizations have the resources they need to successfully deliver programming. These requirements will be outlined in grant award agreements. Site visits may be conducted annually.

    What is not supported by The Research Foundation?

    • Political parties, candidates, or political activities
    • Organizations that require or advocate religious activity as part of or in exchange for services
    • Individuals
    • International organizations
    • Organizations that discriminate
    • Endowments and capital campaigns
    • Operating deficiencies
    • Fundraising events and activities
    • Travel or conference expenses
    • Single-disease organizations
    • Medical research

    Still have questions?
    Feel free to email or schedule a call with Jennifer, Director of Community Grants, for assistance or clarification!

  • Important Dates >>>

    Community Grant Info Meetings
    In-Person: 9 -10 a.m.| June 1, 2023 | 1-North Conference Room in Research Medical Center
    Space is limited to the first 45 attendees that register.

    Virtual: 2-3 p.m. | June 5, 2023 | Via Zoom
    A recoring will be available on The Research Foundation's website after the meeting.

    Application Deadline
    September 15, 2023

    Notification of Awards
    No later than December 15, 2023

    Site Visits/Interim Reporting
    Conducted between May and July 2024

    Final Report Deadline
    January 31, 2025