At the Foundation’s May 2022 meeting, the Board of Directors approved 15 grants totaling $1,095,000 in funding for support of the Lifelong Learning focus. Operation Breakthrough was granted $150,000 for their efforts in helping children enter Kindergarten school ready. A $125,000 investment was made in PREP-KC, to further the goal of children reading on grade level by third grade and achieving high academic standards. Since laying the groundwork for a child’s success in school is an important benchmark for the community, the Foundation continues to support efforts to improve the quality of teaching in both early learning centers and in grades K-3 throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.
In keeping with the Foundation’s focus to affect policy through advocacy, three of this year’s Lifelong Learning grantees – AlignED (formerly the Alliance for Childhood Education), Kansas Action for Children and the Missouri Budget Project – were awarded grants in support of their advocacy efforts.
The Foundation also continued its commitment to children entering kindergarten school ready. In addition to KCPT, Operation Breakthrough and The Family Conservancy, several new grants were awarded to providers who support early education, such as El Centro, Front Porch Alliance and Start at Zero.
A complete list of 2022 Lifelong Learning investments can be found below. For more information, contact Administrator/Senior Program Officer Liana Riesinger at 816-531-0077.
