Kansas City Music Foundation History
Beginning in the early 1940s, a small group of women envisioned offering music scholarships to college and university students in the greater Kansas City area. They also planned to make donations to area music and arts organizations, on a very small scale.
In 1971, the group formed what is now known as the Kansas City Music Foundation (KCMF). The idea of forming a nonprofit was a forward-thinking and innovative approach to fundraising – and a completely new undertaking for these women. KCMF owes a huge debt of gratitude to its original founders for having had such foresight.
Fundraising concerts were produced in the 1970s and 1980s. Many up-and-coming artists were introduced and featured in these concerts. Donors were now able to make charitable, tax-deductible contributions, which, along with the proceeds from the concerts, increased the ability to fund scholarships and organizations.
Fast forward to the early 2000s. To increase the earnings potential of the organization, KCMF’s assets were transferred to the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation (GKCCF), a nationally recognized charitable “bank.” This partnership with GKCCF has helped to further increase the funds KCMF has available and ensures the sustainability of our organization into the future.
Music scholarships are awarded through a competition/audition process held annually for college/university students within a 100-mile radius of Kansas City. Since 1971, hundreds of music students have received scholarships, and thousands of dollars have been awarded.
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