MU
Wins Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneurship Grant
MU has been selected as a recipient of a 2004 Kauffman Collegiate
Network grant from the Ewing Marion
Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City to develop and pilot entrepreneurship
initiatives. The Kauffman Foundation (www.kauffman.org)
is the largest foundation in the U.S. focusing on entrepreneurship.
The MU proposal titled, "Enhancing Student Entrepreneurship,"
will launch a sustained initiative to ensure that students throughout
MU have opportunities to learn about the potential and the fundamentals
of entrepreneurship. The program will be led by Dr.
Joe Johnston, director of MU Career Center, Dr.
Doug Moesel, associate professor of management in the College
of Business, and Dr. Tom
Crowe, associate professor of industrial engineering in the
College of Engineering. Elizabeth Cogswell, foundation relations
with the Development Office, coordinated the grant team and Susanne
Carter, grant writer in the College of Education, wrote the grant
proposal. Membership in the Kauffman Collegiate Network will qualify
MU to apply for additional Kauffman Foundation grants to assist
with implementation.
Through the new program, multiple points of entry and levels
of intensity will be created, so that students at varying points
in their academic careers can gain access to teaching, research,
mentors and experiential learning opportunities related to entrepreneurship.
During a five-year start-up phase, MU will develop a "Certificate
in Entrepreneurship" program for students seeking a multi-year,
in-depth course of study, as well as for-credit seminars for students
at the freshman, sophomore and junior levels and new entrepreneurship
"capstone" courses for seniors in a wide variety of
majors. Drawing of MU's nationally acclaimed Freshman Interest
Group (FIG) program, new E-FIGS (entrepreneurship FIGS) will draw
first-year students with diverse academic interests into learning
and living communities that share a focus on entrepreneurship.
The program will be a hybrid one: both a magnet program attracting
students to enhanced areas of strength already extant (e.g. MU's
collaborative engineering and business program in entrepreneurship-EMILE),
and an outward reaching program that provides central resources,
faculty development, and curriculum planning opportunities to
enable departments , schools, and colleges across the MU campus
to provide entrepreneurship education appropriate to the needs
of their students. By the end of five years, MU will also develop
on-line course work for non-traditional, off-campus students,
as well as a high-school outreach program to prepare counselors
to help secondary students consider entrepreneurship as a viable
choice for college study and careers.
To view a recent article from the Columbia Tribune about this
grant, click
here.
More About the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
(www.kauffman.org)
What is the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation?
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City works with
partners to help individuals attain economic independence by advancing
educational achievement and entrepreneurial success. Established
in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing
Marion Kauffman, the Kauffman Foundation works toward a vision
of a society of economically independent individuals who are engaged
citizens, contributing to the improvement of their communities.
What types of programs or projects does the Kauffman Foundation
fund?
The foundation's focus areas mirror Ewing Kauffman's interests:
education and entrepreneurship. He saw these two areas as ends
of a continuum: Help young people develop into responsible adults,
and support opportunities for economic self-sufficiency and success.
What does the Kauffman Foundation do?
Working in concert with its partners, the Kauffman Foundation:
" Makes grants to not-for-profit organizations locally, regionally
and nationally;
" Conducts or funds entrepreneurship education programs;
" Offers technical assistance and training;
" Hosts meetings and conferences;
" Sponsors entrepreneur education and training programs for
adults and children;
" Consults and advises on programs and projects;
" Disseminates findings, results, and lessons learned
Who was Ewing Kauffman?
Ewing Kauffman was born on a farm in Garden City, Mo., in 1916,
and grew up in Kansas City. He started a pharmaceutical company
in the basement of his home in 1950, ringing up first year sales
of $36,000 and a net profit of $1,000. He and an entrepreneurial
team built Marion Laboratories, Inc., into a diversified health
care company with nearly $1 billion in sales and 3,400 associates
by 1989. His company provided jobs and economic self-sufficiency
to thousands of people. The former Marion Laboratories is now
part of Aventis Pharmaceuticals, which reaches worldwide and has
sales of more than $10 billion. Mr. Kauffman also brought Major
League Baseball back to Kansas City in 1968, boosting the city's
economic base, profile and civic pride. He made the Royals a model
sports franchise, developing young players who won six division
titles, two American League pennants and a World Series championship
in 1985. Ewing Kauffman died in 1993. Throughout his life this
self-made man brought an entrepreneurial spirit and style to everything
he did. He inspired the people around him, energized a city and
challenged us all to do more for our community.
Why did Ewing Kauffman establish the foundation?
Ewing Kauffman was a common man who led an uncommon life dedicated
to his three key principles: treat others as you want to be treated,
with humility, dignity, respect and honesty; share the rewards
with those who produce; and give back to the community. These
values and beliefs are at the core of everything the Kauffman
Foundation does. Ewing Kauffman's early philanthropic efforts
involved the development of innovative programs to help at-risk
children and youth stay in school, avoid using drugs and become
productive members of society. As the foundation evolved, Ewing
Kauffman listened and learned from others to shape a philanthropy
that would drive impact.
What are the foundation's current assets?
The foundation has a current asset base of approximately $1.8
billion.
FINANCIALS _____________________________________________________
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003
Total Assets: $1,563,607,289
Highest Grant Paid in FY03: $1,500,000
Lowest Grant Paid in FY03: $100
Average Grant: $50,000 to $150,000
Where does the foundation's money come from?
Ewing Kauffman's personal wealth served as the asset base for
the foundation during his lifetime. When he died, a large portion
of his estate, approximately $800 million endowed the foundation.
The foundation's investments keep the foundation well positioned
to meet annual grantmaking opportunities and operating needs.
What is Kauffman Legacy Park and where is it located?
Kauffman Legacy Park, 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Mo., 64110,
is an urban park dedicated to the legacies of Ewing and Muriel
Kauffman. It is located in the heart of Kansas City, Mo., along
the Brush Creek corridor. The park's 37 acres are between Rockhill
Road and Troost Avenue (West to East), and between 47th Street
and Volker Parkway (North to South).
