Kauffman Foundation

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Notes on the Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman's Vision: To foster "a society of economically independent individuals who are engaged citizens, contributing to the improvement of their communities."

* Entrepreneurship and education
* Does not give sustaining funds to others for ongoing operations.
* Helps germinate and develop ideas
* Others must see value in the idea thatis being proposed
* The idea must be authentic
* Ideas/project must be aimed at genuine needs and opportunities
* Ideas must be scalable and practical
* Often ask others to more than match the money and human effort they put in
* "We strive to meet the test by making idea generation itself an interactive, iterative process".
* Enter new issue areas in exploratory fashion; i.e. research studies
* Fund research studies
* "We know a program idea is on the path to success when it produces early results that inspire others besides our initial grantees and partners to emulate it, or to join in funding the effort along with us. We know a program is really succeeding when people start to "own" it—not only by taking financial responsibility, but by taking hold of the idea and enhancing or elaborating it, to make an impact in ways we hadn't envisioned".
* Looking for ideas that will cause the ripple effect (cause other partners, universities, etc. to join or model their programs after the original)
* Interested in knowledge transfer in Universities
* Believe in leverage
* focuses on project that cause job creation, innovation, and the economy to flourish.
* "We work with leading educators, researchers, and other partners to further understanding of the powerful economic impact of entrepreneurship, to train the nation’s next generation of entrepreneurial leaders, to develop and disseminate proven programs that enhance entrepreneurial skills and abilities, and to improve the environment in which entrepreneurs start and grow businesses".
* They also offer their conference center for local and national meetings
* Kauffman Center established FastTrac, a national training program for entrepreneurs, the Kauffman Fellows program to bring venture capital to the field, and entreworld.org to serve as a comprehensive and credible online source of information for entrepreneurs.
* "The Foundation collaborates with the Small Business Administration and the University of Missouri-Kansas City to offer KCSourceLink and connect small business owners with the right resource at the right time".

FUNDING STRATEGY for GVAN:

Kauffman Foundation offers programs for struggling entrepreneurs

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation will offer a new program, beginning April 6, for "self-made entrepreneurs who might be struggling with managing or growing their businesses in this economy."

That's the word from Monica Doss, Kauffman's director of FastTrac GrowthVenture programs.

The program includes resources and coaching for entrepreneurs to evaluate the market, create a business plan to maximize profitability, streamline operations, and make critical business decisions.

Sessions are scheduled to run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from April 6 through May 4.

For more information or to apply for the program, contact Sharon Tillman at gro.namffuak|namllits#gro.namffuak|namllits or go online.

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