Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Ewing Marion Kauffman created the foundation in 1966 after building Marion Laboratories into a major pharmaceutical company and owning the Kansas City Royals. The endowment supports nonpartisan work in education achievement and entrepreneurship. DeAngela Burns-Wallace became president and CEO in 2023. The foundation allocates roughly 30 percent of assets to private equity. It commits to venture capital managers including Madrona Venture Group and Material Impact. It also holds positions in Great Range Capital and Quantum Capital Group. Geographic exposure centers on the United States with emphasis on Midwest and national opportunities. The portfolio includes both fund commitments and limited partner stakes in vehicles such as Founders First Capital Partners and Living Cities Catalyst Fund III. The foundation maintains 85 professionals at its Kansas City headquarters. It operates the Ewing Marion Kauffman School, a public charter school established in 2011. In October 2024 the foundation participated in the Fall Investment Academy Forum where staff presented on institutional investment strategy. Adjacent vehicles include the separate Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation focused on performing arts. Governance separates investment decisions from grant-making through a dedicated CIO and board oversight by former Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City president Esther George. This structure allows the endowment to maintain long-term private market exposure while fulfilling the founder’s education and entrepreneurship mandate without external LP pressure.