Kansas City

Collaborating and innovating for equitable progress in the heart of America

An image of WOW graduates jumping in the air in front of the school wearing matching purple WOW t-shirts.

Overview

One community, two states and opportunity for all

A vibrant metro area in the heart of the country with world class art, music, food and professional sports. But the real heart of Kansas City is its people – bringing innovation, collaboration and resilience to the bi-state region. Though, not all of our neighbors have had the same opportunities. Historic and ongoing systemic racism has limited access to housing, education and prosperity for Black and Brown residents. GreenLight Kansas City works to address those inequities, finding proven, innovative approaches to help open opportunities so all residents can have a brighter future.

Portfolio

Investing in proven organizations to bring to Kansas City to address community-identified needs

We identify, invite in and launch evidence-based organizations, providing support so they quickly become embedded in the community and deliver measurable change.

See All Organizations

mRelief Logo in a blue thought bubble.
The Food Connect logo in black text with two hands outstretched holding up a box with vegetables and fruits extending out.
The All Our Kin logo with green text and green flowers and leaves extending from long roots above.
The BAM Logo in black and white with a youth guidance arrow in the bottom.
The WOW logo in purple and white with youth guidance lining the bottom.

Making an Impact in Kansas City

43,971

individuals reached in 2023-24

$3M

invested by GreenLight in portfolio organizations

36

Selection Advisory Council (SAC) members

Vanessa and AOK Team gathered together with a flamingo beach background draped behind them.
In Kansas City
104

child care educators served

Read Vanessa's Story

An image of WOW participants standing together in front of lockers in a school hallway, wearing matching purple WOW t-shirts.
In Kansas City
600

students are participating in Becoming a Man (BAM) and Working on Womanhood (WOW) in Kansas City this year

Read Karla's Story

An image of BAM participants gathered together outside their school posing for pictures in matching black BAM t-shirts.
In Kansas City
73%

of BAM students showed strong growth in social-emotional skills

Read Charlie's Story

Kansas City Team and Partners

GreenLight Kansas City is made up of a diverse group of changemakers from across the community, working together for positive impact.

All Our Kin

All Our Kin

Food Connect

Food Connect

mRelief

mRelief

Youth Guidance – BAM

Youth Guidance – BAM

Youth Guidance – WOW

Youth Guidance – WOW

Delivering measurable results in Kansas City

We invest multiyear funding along with on-the-ground support to ensure portfolio organizations quickly take root in the local community and are positioned for growth, measurable impact and sustainability. We are proud to highlight the work, results and meaningful stories of our portfolio organizations locally.

Read our latest Impact Report

Kansas City
A mother and child playing with a puzzle on the floor, representing the launch of All Our Kin, Kansas City.

All Our Kin will reach 200 family child care educators and 1,600 young children by 2026

Kansas City
An image of BAM participants gathered together outside their school posing for pictures in matching black BAM t-shirts.

BAM helps strengthen social-emotional well-being, school engagement, and increase academic attainment for hundreds of young men in the program

Kansas City
An image of WOW participants standing together in front of lockers in a school hallway, wearing matching purple WOW t-shirts.

This past year, 79% of WOW participants in KC who tested in the clinical range for depression improved their symptoms

Making an Impact in Kansas City

850

individuals reached in 2022-23

$1.8M

invested by GreenLight in portfolio organizations

38

Selection Advisory Council (SAC) members

Team

Sarah Courtney Haberberger
A headshot of Sarah Courtney Haberberger with a nature background.

Sarah Courtney Haberberger

Executive Director, GreenLight Kansas City

Danielle Robinson
A headshot of Danielle Robinson with a nature background.

Danielle Robinson

Program Manager, GreenLight Kansas City

Jo Rutkiewicz
A headshot of Jo Rutkiewicz with a nature background.

Jo Rutkiewicz

Coordinator (Multiple Sites)

Advisory Council

Jennifer Alvarez

The DeBruce Foundation

Veronica Alviderez

paraMi

Erica Andrade

El Centro

Jennifer Baker

State of Missouri

Cassie Bicknell

Bicknell Family Foundation

Julie Brewer

Community Member

Chan Brown

Kansas Health Foundation

Brandon Calloway

Generate Income for Tomorrow G.I.F.T

Carol Cartmill

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection

Samara Crawford Herrera

The Case Made

Denise Dillard

Community Member

Sheri Gonzales

University of Kansas

Dustin Hare

WyCo Mutual Aid

Maribel Hernandez

Community Consultant

AJ Herrmann

Accelerator for America

Tonya Johnson

Community Consultant

Mark Logan

Idealect

Craig Moore

Black Excellence Inc

Ajia Morris

The Greenline Initiative

Vincent Nguyen

Haren Companies

Tyler Nottberg

U.S. Engineering Company Holdings

Andrea Perdomo-Morales

Vibrant Health KC

Maria Rios

Olathe School District

Aryonna Roberts

Community Consultant

Micah Rose Emerson

KIPP Kansas City

Keely Schneider

Workforce Partnership

Stephanie Schneider

Five Elms Capital

Stephenie Smith

Sophic Solutions

Debbie Sosland-Edelman

Sosland Foundation

Leigh Anne Taylor Knight

DeBruce Foundation

Germarie Torres-Santiago

Community Consultant

Katie Vivas

YMCA of Greater Kansas City

Johnny Waller

The JLW Group

Kim Weaver

WyCo Mutual Aid

Andrew Weisberg

Overland Park Chamber of Commerce

Donna Young

Community Health Council of Wyandotte County

Founding Investors

adpredictive logo with ad in blue thought bubble.

Anonymous

The Bank of America Logo with red and blue stripes positioned in a diamond shape over the text.

George K. Baum Family Foundation

Brad and Elizabeth Bergman

Mike and Millie Brown

Burns McDonnell Foundation logo with three different length blue lines next to the text.

Mollie Hale Carter Sunflower Bank

Fred and Lucy Coulson

DeBruce Foundation Logo with Orange and Red D next to Blue and Green B.

Dave and Dee Dillon

DST Systems Logo with DST in red letters.

Scott and Tammy Ford

Gautreaux Family Fund

Global Orphan Project Founder’s Circle

global prairie logo with circular grey logo with lines inside.

Darcy Howe and John Black

red kansas city southern lines logo in the shape of a stop sign.
kansas health foundation logo with yellow and brown star above the text.

Robert S. Kaplan

Kemper Foundations

Ray Kowalik

KPMG logo with blue outlined blocks in the background.

Thad and Susan Langford

Ron and Cassie Lemay

David and Tracy Lockton

Mariner Logo with circular blue wave to the left of the text.

The McDonnell Foundation, Inc

Leigh and Tyler Nottberg Family Foundation

Ottensmeyer-Porter Charitable Fund

Polsinelli Logo with grey and red blocks stacks together on the P.

Sandra Price

Regnier Family Foundations

Neal and Angela Sharma

Sherman Family Foundation

John and Susan Simon

Abby Sosland and Mark Goodman

Sosland Foundation Logo in grey.

Tortoise Investments

United Methodist Church of the Resurrection logo with cross and red flame to the left of the text.
United Way of Greater Kansas City Logo with circular logo with blue hand below an orange stick person and yellow sun rays.

VantEdge – Paul Edgerley and Terry Matlack

Jean and Don Wagner

Russ and Debbie Welsh

Jack F. and Glenna Y. Wylie Foundation / Midwest Trust / Thomas A. McDonnell

Type

Prioritizing Diverse Perspectives for Greater Impact: Engaging Deeply with Community
Feedback+Denver Conference announcement with an image of the Denver skyline.

Insights

Prioritizing Diverse Perspectives for Greater Impact: Engaging Deeply with Community

Jun 5, 2024

Boston, Greater Newark, Kansas City, National

GreenLight Kansas City Releases “A Case for Community Consultants as a Grantmaking Strategy”
The cover of the community consultants case study with the title in the corner, surrounded by a vibrant image of the Kansas City skyline.

Insights, News

GreenLight Kansas City Releases “A Case for Community Consultants as a Grantmaking Strategy”

May 9, 2024

Kansas City

GreenLight Fund Names Ali Knight as Chief Executive Officer
A headshot of Ali Knight with a window in the background.

Announcement, News, Press Release

GreenLight Fund Names Ali Knight as Chief Executive Officer

Apr 16, 2024

Two nonprofits got a $1.2 million grant to address Kansas City food insecurity
Up to Date logo.

Media Mention

KCUR

Two nonprofits got a $1.2 million grant to address Kansas City food insecurity

Nov 23, 2023

Kansas City

$1.2 Million Investment Brings Two Nonprofits to Kansas City to Address Food Security
A grocery cart in an aisle within the store, filled with carrots, pineapples, and miscellaneous vegetables and fruits.

Announcement, Press Release

$1.2 Million Investment Brings Two Nonprofits to Kansas City to Address Food Security

Oct 30, 2023

Kansas City

GreenLight Fund Annual Impact Report July 2022 – June 2023
The cover photo of the annual impact report with a young woman wearing a yellow sweater standing outside with her arms crossed.

Insights

GreenLight Fund Annual Impact Report July 2022 – June 2023

Oct 20, 2023

Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Greater Newark, Kansas City, National, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Twin Cities

KCTV5 Cares: GreenLight KC and Youth Guidance collaborate to benefit KC high schoolers
A screenshot of the news interview with GreenLight Kansas City & Youth Guidance as the individuals sit on a couch and the interviewer sits on a chair.

Media Mention

KCTV5

KCTV5 Cares: GreenLight KC and Youth Guidance collaborate to benefit KC high schoolers

Jun 5, 2023

Kansas City

GreenLight Brings Innovative Family Child Care Model to Kansas City
The All Our Kin logo with green text and green flowers and leaves extending from long roots above.

Announcement, News, Press Release

GreenLight Brings Innovative Family Child Care Model to Kansas City

Nov 14, 2022

Kansas City

Join our work in Kansas City

We rely on champions and supporters who believe in the power and potential of community-driven change.