# Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Kansas City, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Kansas City, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110, United States
- **Founded:** 1966
- **Assets under management:** 2700 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** kauffman.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/kauffman-foundation

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

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.

## Sectors

- Education
- Entrepreneurship

## People

- DeAngela Burns-Wallace — President and CEO

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation?

Lisa Murray serves as chief investment officer. DeAngela Burns-Wallace holds final authority as president and CEO. The board, chaired by Esther George, provides oversight.

### Does the foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The foundation commits to external managers across private equity and venture capital. Confirmed holdings include Madrona Venture Group, Material Impact, and Great Range Capital.

### What investment stages does the foundation typically target?

Allocations span early-stage venture through buyout and secondaries. The portfolio includes seed and growth commitments alongside private equity funds.

### How is the foundation related to the Ewing Marion Kauffman School?

The foundation founded and continues to support the Ewing Marion Kauffman School, a grades 5-12 charter school in Kansas City established in 2011.

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- [Euroz Hartleys Group](https://altss.com/profile/euroz-hartleys-group)
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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/ewing-marion-kauffman-foundation-emkf

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