Kansas City Scholars, Inc. General Information Contact Information Nonprofit Kansas City Scholars, Inc. Address 8080 Ward Parkway, Suite 402 Kansas City, MO 64114 Phone (816) 581-5700 Website kcscholars.org Facebook facebook.com/kcscholars/?fref=ts Twitter twitter.com/kcscholars Email info@kcscholars.org At A Glance How to donate, support, and volunteer KC Scholars will provide the means through scholarships, financial incentives to promote college savings, and support services for low- and modestincome students and adults needing access to pursue and complete a college degree. By doing so, KC Scholars will help improve the postsecondary graduation rate, economic independence, quality of the workforce, and participation in community activities in greater Kansas City. KC Scholars will make 500 awards annually (250 traditional, 200 adult learner, 50 college savings match) and once fully scaled in 2020, at least 2,000 students will be in the program each year. KC Scholars is a community-driven effort, engaging more than 70 individuals from all sectors to develop the program. Now all individuals have the opportunity to contribute to the success of KC Scholars and the students and adult 1
2 learners it will support. Donations as little as $25 are accepted and named scholarship opportunities are available for a commitment of just $2,500 a year for five consecutive years. Ready to Make a Donation? Please visit our website for more information about funding scholarships and making donations. http://www.kcscholars.org/fundscholarships
Mission & Areas Served Statements Mission Statement The mission of KC Scholars is to increase postsecondary education attainment in the greater Kansas City area. KC Scholars will serve low- and modest-income students and returning adult learners across a six-county area of the Kansas City region: Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas and Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte in Missouri. A minimum of 500 scholarships will be provided annually, with at least 2,450 students enrolled in college through KC Scholars by 2022. KC Scholars has a 75% college completion goal. KC Scholars has three program components so it can serve many across the broad region: 1.Traditional scholarships for which 11th graders apply. 2. Adult learner scholarships for adults age 24 or older that have previously completed a minimum of 12 college credits and now want to return to and complete college. 3. College savings match program to which 9th graders apply. A minimum of 250 traditional and 200 adult learner scholarships will be awarded, in an annual value of up to $10,000 and renewable for five total years. Additionally, 1,000 9th graders will have a college savings account seeded for them and 50 of those selected to be in a robust savings match and college incentives program valued at up to $7,000. In addition to scholarship support, KC Scholars will provide college advisement, persistence, and completion support so that recipients stay in and complete college and stay in or return to Kansas City to work and live and contribute. The scholarship can be used at any of the 17 colleges in the KCS Postsecondary Network, most in the Kansas City region. KC Scholars is unlike any other in the nation and will be the catalyst for widespread long-lasting impact across the Kansas City region. For details on scholarship eligibility, visit: kcscholars.org Background Statement Ewing Marion Kauffman was an entrepreneur and humanitarian, whose innovative and long-lasting contributions have benefited millions of people in Kansas City and beyond. One of Mr. Kauffman s visions was to ensure a postsecondary education was possible for everyone, regardless of income, age or ethnicity. Since 1988, the Kauffman Foundation has provided college scholarships and support services to 3,900 students and desired to continue its emphasis in the postsecondary completion space. With the help of more than 70 community members, the Kauffman Foundation has made the strategic decision to launch this new scholarship and college savings program for young students and adults Kansas City Scholars. The 70 community members worked together over a 7-month period to plan KC Scholars. KC Scholars provides scholarship and college advisement support across three program components: a traditional scholarship for which 11th graders apply, an adult learner program for adults with some college but no degree to return to and earn a college degree, and a college savings match program for which 9th graders apply. Low- and modest-income individuals from six counties (Wyandotte and Johnson in Kansas and Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte in Missouri) are eligible to apply. Students attending public, private, or charter schools and home-schooled are eligible to apply. KC Scholars provides a minimum of 500 scholarships annually, with another 950 9th graders having college savings accounts set up for them. This translates to at least 2,450 scholarship recipients attending college by 2020 and at least 2,000 in college annually each year thereafter. This number of scholarships will increase the region s postsecondary attainment rate.05 percentage points annually and positively impact workforce and economic development of the region. The Kauffman Foundation provided an initial investment of $70 million and as a strategy to ensure long-term sustainability and community ownership, is raising funds from the regional community. Funds raised will increase the number of scholarships provided annually. KC Scholars is being incubated at the Kauffman Foundation, but is an independent 501(c)(3) public charity that will locate in the Kansas City community, with its own Board of Directors, in July 2017. 3
Impact Statement Accomplishments: 1. Involved 70 community members in development of the KC Scholars program, with 15 of them currently serving on an Implementation Committee. 2.Publicly launched KC Scholars on September 28, 2016. 3. Created a Postsecondary Network of 17 colleges/universities at which the scholarship can be used (most in the KC region). 4. Established a collaboration with four college advisement, persistence, and completion service provider programs. 5.Became incorporated as a 501(c)3 public charity. Goals: 1.Establish a Board of Directors to begin service July 1, 2017. 2.Accept scholarship applications January 2 March 3, 2017 (and during this time annually). 3.Award scholarships in May 2017. 4. Match the $79 million investment by the Kauffman Foundation with a 50% investment by the community so that KC Scholars is sustainable, community-owned, and can increase the number of scholarships provided each year. Needs Statement 1.To secure 187 community Reviewers to help evaluate scholarship applications. 2. To raise funds equal to 50% of the annual investment made by the Kauffman Foundation for the purpose of increasing the number of scholarships awarded annually. 3.To secure volunteers to assist with financial literacy education on an ongoing basis. CEO/Executive Director/Board Chair Statement As KC Scholars is a new entity, the current challenge is ensuring that all application and selection processes go smoothly, that the collaborations with 17 colleges in the KCS Postsecondary Network is strong, that the focus remains on the overall goal of 75% college completion rate, and that the community invests in the program. To address any potential challenges, a 15-member community-based Implementation Committee is in place and will serve though June 2017. This level of ongoing community advice and involvement ensures adequate community ownership and a thoughtful approach to program implementation and management. Additionally, a 10-year comprehensive third-party evaluation is in place, with specific benchmarks set for the program and ongoing rigorous evaluation of its impact both on individuals served and on the KC metro. Service Categories Scholarships & Student Financial Aid Areas of Service Areas Served Areas KS - Johnson County KS - Wyandotte County MO - Cass County MO - Clay County MO - Jackson County MO - Platte County 4
Programs Programs KC Scholars Description Category KC Scholars serves low- and modest-income students and adult learners across six-counties: Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas and Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte in Missouri. At least 500 scholarships will be provided annually across three program components: 1.Traditional scholarships for which 11th graders apply. 2. Adult learner scholarships for adults age 24 or older that have previously completed a minimum of 12 college credits and now want to return to and complete college. 3.College savings match program to which 9th graders apply. A minimum of 250 traditional and 200 adult learner scholarships will be awarded, in an annual value of up to $10,000 and renewable for five total years. Additionally, 1,000 9th graders will have a college savings account seeded for them and 50 of those selected to be in a robust savings match and college incentives program valued at up to $7,000. College Savings Match (9th Graders) High school 9th graders can apply to receive a 4-to-1 match on contributions into a 529 college savings account. The maximum match granted is $5,000, but an additional $2,000 is available in incentives for completing key college-ready milestones in high school. Annually, a 529 college savings account will be opened for 1,000 students selected through the application process. Of the 1,000 for whom an account is opened, 50 will be selected to be in the match and incentives program. This is a one-time award. Scholars will receive college advisement, persistence, and college completion support. Education, General/Other Student Financial Aid Population Served General/Unspecified,, Short-Term Success Short-term success will be measured through an ample first application pool, awarding of 500 scholarships in May 2017, 200 adult learners entering college in fall 2017, and at least 2,400 scholarship recipients enrolled in college by 2020. To achieve the results stated above, KC Scholars will create a region-wide college-going mindset, excite 9th graders and their families to save for college on an ongoing basis and assist them with increasing their financial literacy and knowledge, provide college advisement to high school students so that they prepare for and are ready for college success, and ensure that adults that once started college and were unable to complete that it is not too late and that they can return to and complete college. KC Scholars is creating a region-wide movement around the importance of earning a college credential or degree and providing community level support to ensure that many have an opportunity for college. 5
Long- Term Success Program Success Monitored By Examples of Program Success The goal of KCS is for 75% of those Scholars that enter college to complete a credit-bearing credential or degree (associate s and/or bachelor s) within five years. For scholarship recipients, the long-term goal is that they have optimal career options, can reach economic independence, and can live and work and contribute in the Kansas City region. Since KC Scholars serves low- and modest-income students and adults, the goal is to break the cycle of poverty for some. Another goal is to increase likelihood of future generations attending and completing college so that college-going becomes an expectation rather than an exception. For those with a college degree, their children are three times more likely to also complete college. Those with college savings match accounts are three times more likely to go to college and four times more likely to complete a degree. A comprehensive evaluation plan, as well as dashboards to track results on the three components of KC Scholars, has been developed in conjunction with Kauffman Foundation evaluation staff. The evaluation plan includes identification of key data metrics to be collected, tracked, and used to measure program results. The evaluation is multifaceted and includes key research questions focused on program management, implementation, and impact. Metrics will be collected for all Scholars for each year in the program around five stages: application, award, matriculation, persistence, and completion. A third-party evaluator will be selected to provide multi-year technical assistance with data collection, conduct formative evaluation, and conduct early summative evaluation. In addition to formal evaluation, each applicant pool will be analyzed, student progress toward and then in college will be monitored, and an annual report issued. At the time, we are accepting our inaugural applications so will not have testimonials from or statistics about scholarship recipients until after May 2017. CEO Comments As KC Scholars is a new entity, the current challenge is ensuring that all application and selection processes go smoothly, that the collaborations with 17 colleges in the KCS Postsecondary Network is strong, that the focus remains on the overall goal of 75% college completion rate, and that the community invests in the program. To address any potential challenges, a 15-member community-based Implementation Committee is in place and will serve though June 2017. This level of ongoing community advice and involvement ensures adequate community ownership and a thoughtful approach to program implementation and management. Additionally, a 10-year comprehensive third-party evaluation is in place, with specific benchmarks set for the program and ongoing rigorous evaluation of its impact both on individuals served and on the KC metro. 6
Leadership & Staff Executive Director/CEO Executive Director Term Start July 2015 Email Ms. Beth Tankersley-Bankhead PhD btankersley-bankhead@kcscholars.org Experience Beth Tankersley-Bankhead is the Executive Director of KC Scholars coming from Director of Postsecondary Initiatives in Education for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where she worked with grant- and nongrant- related initiatives in the postsecondary space including Kauffman Scholars, Inc., and development of the Kansas City Scholars program. Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Tankersley-Bankhead was the Executive Director of the Missouri College Advising Corps (MCAC), a full-time near-peer college advising model headquartered at the University of Missouri. During her time with MCAC, she led the successful growth of the program from seven high schools statewide to 41 fourteen of them in Kansas City. Previously, Tankersley-Bankhead worked at Eastern Illinois University, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Kappa Delta Pi, University of Central Missouri, and University of Missouri. Tankersley-Bankhead earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and grades 7-12 English education from the University of Central Missouri, and a Master of Science in counseling and guidance with an emphasis in college student personnel from Eastern Illinois University. She holds a PhD in educational leadership and policy studies with an emphasis in higher and continuing education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Senior Staff Ms. Beth Tankersley-Bankhead Title Director of Postsecondary Initiatives, Kauffman Foundation Staff Paid Full-Time Staff 4 Paid Part- Time Staff 0 Volunteers 200 Retention Rate 0% Paid Contractors 3 Formal Evaluations CEO Formal Evaluation CEO/Executive Formal Evaluation Frequency Senior Management Formal Evaluation Senior Management Formal Evaluation Frequency NonManagement Formal Evaluation Non Management Formal Evaluation Frequency Annually Annually Annually 7
Plans & Policies Organization Has a Fundraising Plan Organization Has a Strategic Plan Management Succession Plan Organization Policy and Procedures Nondiscrimination Policy Whistleblower Policy Collaborations KC Scholars and our partners are dedicated to helping you complete your college degree! KC Scholars awardees will receive support services focused on college enrollment advisement as well as persistence and completion support once enrolled in college. Examples of support services provided are: one-on-one and group advising; assistance with college admissions applications, essays, scholarship applications, and FAFSA completion; assistance registering and prepping for college entrance tests; advisement for parents and family; financial literacy and paying for college education; campus tours; campus rep visits and interactions; education about how financial aid works and understanding financial aid awards; and general assistance knowing how to be ready for and admitted to college. Once in college, KC Scholars awardees will be required to participate in an assigned program or service on their enrolled campus. Support services will be provided through partnerships with the following organizations as well as KC Scholars network of 17 colleges and universities. Government Licenses Is your organization licensed by the government? No 8
Board & Governance Board Chair Board Chair Ms. Jan Kreamer Term July 2017 to June 2018 Board Members Name Mr. Terry Bassham Ms. Tammy Edwards Ms. Michelle Kay Ms. Jan Kreamer Mr. David Warm Affiliation President and CEO, KCPL/Great Plains Energy Vice President of Community Development, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Vice President and General Manager, Enterprise Holdings Executive Director, Mid-America Regional Council Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black 1 Asian American/Pacific Islander 0 Caucasian 3 Hispanic/Latino 1 Native American/American Indian 0 Other 0 Board Demographics - Gender Male 2 Female 3 Unspecified 0 Governance Board Term Lengths 0 Board Term Limits 0 Board Meeting Attendance % 0% Written Board Selection Criteria? Written Conflict of Interest Policy? Percentage Making Monetary Contributions 0% Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions 0% Constituency Includes Client Representation Number of Full Board Meetings Annually 0 9
Financials Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Start Jan 01, 2016 Fiscal Year End Dec 31, 2016 Projected Revenue $2,368,004.00 Projected Expenses $2,368,004.00 Endowment Value $0.00 Percentage 0% Detailed Financials Revenue and Expenses Total Revenue -- -- -- Total Expenses -- -- -- Revenue Sources Foundation and Corporation -- -- -- Contributions Government Contributions $0 $0 $0 Federal State Local Unspecified Individual Contributions -- -- -- Indirect Public Support -- -- -- Earned Revenue -- -- -- Investment Income, Net of Losses -- -- -- Membership Dues -- -- -- Special Events -- -- -- Revenue In-Kind -- -- -- Other -- -- -- 10
Expense Allocation Program Expense -- -- -- Administration Expense -- -- -- Fundraising Expense -- -- -- Payments to Affiliates -- -- -- Total Revenue/Total Expenses -- -- -- Program Expense/Total Expenses -- -- -- Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue -- -- -- Assets and Liabilities Total Assets -- -- -- Current Assets -- -- -- Long-Term Liabilities -- -- -- Current Liabilities -- -- -- Total Net Assets -- -- -- Short Term Solvency Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities -- -- -- Long Term Solvency Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets -- -- -- Top Funding Sources Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount -- -- -- Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar -- -- -- Amount Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount -- -- -- Capital Campaign Currently in a Capital Campaign? No Goal $0.00 Created 04.28.2018. Copyright 2018 Greater Kansas City Community Foundation 11