Real change is uncommon Together, let’s recognize everyday Kansas Citians doing extraordinary things to uplift their neighbors and neighborhoods. Impact Award Ticker Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award • Impact Award 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. The nomination portal is now closed. Thank you all for your submissions to recognize the incredible work nonprofit professionals are doing for our city! Nominees:Applications are due August 15, 2025 You should have received an email with a unique password providing access to your nominee application. To accept the nomination, please complete the application in its entirety. Eligible applications must include two letters of reference submitted by the due date. Applications that are partially completed, missing references, or submitted late will not be eligible for the Uncommon Leader Impact Award. Technical assistance in accessing your application is available via our grantee help desk. One awardee will receive $50,000 individually and $100,000 for their organization. A number of runner-up honorees will receive $5,000 individually and $10,000 for their organization. The Kauffman Uncommon Leader Awards are a portfolio of awards to recognize leaders who are making a lasting impact within their nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. These awards honor individuals whose work aligns with the Kauffman Foundation’s mission and exemplify the visionary leadership of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman, through innovative, generous, and meaningful work in the community. 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. Community Impact Mr. Kauffman wanted his philanthropy to have a significant positive effect on the Kansas City community. In the past three years, the nominee has actively engaged in initiatives or projects that have led to improvements in the Kansas City region, such as increased access to resources, education, or opportunities. The nominee’s work demonstrates evidence of long-term or sustainable benefits in the Kansas City region. 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. 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. Downloadable Resources For nominated individuals: Nominee application form – for preview use only [PDF] > For recommendations: Fillable reference letter [PDF] > Frequently Asked Questions What are the Kauffman Uncommon Leader Awards? The Kauffman Uncommon Leader Awards consist of two separate awards, the Impact Award and the Visionary Award. Both awards are designed to acknowledge and support the work of regional nonprofit leaders at 501(c)(3) public charities making extraordinary impact. How frequently will these awards be given by the Kauffman Foundation? The awards will be offered annually on alternating years. The Impact Award will be offered in 2025 and the Visionary Award in 2026. What does the Impact Award application process look like? The process is as follows: a nomination is made, the nominee completes the application, and two references submit recommendations in support of the nominee. See a PDF preview of the application. If you were asked to be a reference for a nominated individual, please use this fillable form when submitting your recommendation. What is the definition of a non-C-suite employee? A non-C-suite employee is anyone who does not hold a position at the highest executive level of a company. Roles that would not be qualified would include Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), etc. It would also not include any executive that reports directly to the CEO/Executive Director and is considered a part of the executive leadership team. What is the definition of 501(c)(3) public charity? Is there a database that can help check the status? A public charity is a specific type of 501(c)(3) organization that generally provides a service to a group of people. The requirements to be a public charity are most generally described in section 509(a) of the tax code. GuideStar is one site that can confirm charitable status. What is the definition of the Kansas City region? We define the Kansas City region as Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties in Missouri, and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. What are the tax implications of receiving an award? The payment associated with the award may be taxable, and recipients should consult their tax advisor on reporting requirements or specific impact. Who should I use as a reference? We recommend someone who can evaluate you based on the following criteria. Knows your impact: Choose someone who can speak to your qualifications, contributions, and why you’re deserving of the award. Professional or academic relationship: Ideal references include supervisors, mentors, professors, community leaders, or collaborators who have worked with you in a meaningful capacity. Relevant to the award: Select individuals who understand the values or goals of the award and can highlight how you embody them. Recent and specific: A reference who can provide recent, concrete examples of your achievements is more compelling than someone who speaks in general terms. Avoid personal references: Do not use family members or close friends, as their perspective may be seen as biased. Confirm willingness: Always ask your reference beforehand and ensure they are comfortable providing a thoughtful and timely endorsement. Can current and/or past associates or board members of the Kauffman Foundation receive an award? Individuals who have been either an associate or a board member of the Kauffman Foundation from June 2020 to present are not eligible to receive an award. Can relatives of Kauffman Foundation associates receive the award? To ensure fairness and uphold the integrity of the Kauffman Uncommon Leader Awards, immediate family members of associates or board members of the Kauffman Foundation are not eligible to participate in or receive awards. This ensures all judging and prize decisions remain fair and free from personal influence. Can I recommend someone for consideration of the Impact Award? Any community member can nominate an individual for the Impact Award during the open nomination period. The recommended person must be a full-time non-C-suite employee from a 501(c)(3) public charity in the Kansas City region who demonstrates a commitment to Kansas City through nonprofit service. Individuals should be nominated based on their alignment with the criteria for the award. Learn more about the nomination process and award criteria. How are finalists and awardees selected for the Impact Award? An external committee will review nominees based on the award criteria and make a recommendation to the Kauffman Foundation on finalists. Who is on the External Review Committee for the Impact Award? How were the committee members identified and selected? The members of the external review committee remain anonymous during the selection process. This allows the members to operate without pressure or persuasion from others. Committee members are identified and selected through an internal search process to secure a group of community leaders with experience and connection to the greater Kansas City nonprofit community.