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William T. Kemper Foundation Executive Director,
Michael D. Fields
William
T. Kemper, Jr. was born in 1902 into a family known for its
leadership and contributions to the Kansas City community. His
father, "W.T." Kemper, was chairman of the Commerce Trust Company,
the predecessor of Commerce Bank of Kansas City. His mother,
Charlotte Crosby Kemper, was an ardent
William T. Kemper, Jr. began his business career after graduating from the University of Missouri in 1926. He compiled an impressive list of accomplishments throughout his career, including the positions of president, chairman, chairman of the executive committee and director of the former First National Bank of Independence. Kemper's contributions to his community extended far beyond its boardrooms. He was an innovator in urban development, including several projects in the Quality Hill area of downtown Kansas City. In addition, he was involved with such organizations as the American Red Cross, the American Royal Association, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Boy Scouts of America and Saint Luke's Hospital. Throughout his life, Mr. Kemper was an avid art collector and a benefactor of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. In memory of his mother, he founded the Charlotte Crosby Kemper Gallery at the Kansas City Art Institute, where he served as chairman and was designated a lifetime trustee. Kemper stipulated that, upon his death, the majority of his estate be placed in the William T. Kemper Foundation, with Commerce Bank and Jonathan M. Kemper as co-trustees. His foundation is a continuing gesture of the goodwill that marked his lifelong philanthropic efforts. Carrying on the Vision The William T. Kemper Foundation - Commerce Bank, Trustee was established in 1989, following Mr. Kemper's death. The Foundation is dedicated to continuing Mr. Kemper's lifelong interest in improving the human condition and quality of life. Preference is given to projects located in the Midwest, with particular emphasis on his home state of Missouri and the surrounding areas. The philanthropic efforts of the William T. Kemper Foundation concentrate on four broad areas: Education - Program funding and capital support for both public and private academic institutions. Requests for individual scholarship assistance are not considered. Health and Human Services - Support for medical and social service agencies, including those that serve disadvantaged and disabled individuals, youth and the elderly. Civic Improvements - Support for projects that enhance the vitality of the community through civic beautification and that strengthen community assets. The Arts - Funding of the art institutions and activities, including educational programs that foster the appreciation of and the accessibility to the performing and visual arts and that enhance audience growth. By the terms of the initial bequest, the William T. Kemper Foundation restricts its grants to organizations, which qualify as tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code and certain other conditions. It cannot make grants to those classified by the IRS as "private foundations." Grants for operational support, special projects and capital improvements will be considered. Although the Foundation usually makes one-year grants, requests for multiple years of special-project funding will be considered under appropriate circumstances. Generally, grants of less than $500 are not made. How to Apply The Foundation accepts proposals for funding through out the year. All proposals must be submitted in writing and include the following:
Organizations making requests that fall within areas of Foundation interest may be asked to provide more detailed information. Written notification of grants awarded or denied will be made following final evaluation of the proposal. Areas of Exclusion The following are reasons or subject areas that will render a grant proposal as ineligible:
Accountability Grant recipients are required to submit a written narrative report and an accounting of all disbursements from the proceeds of the grant on an annual basis. Any grant that extends for more than one year will be conditional on further review and evaluation of the program or project as may be determined by the staff and Contributions Committee. The recipient is responsible to ensure that the grant is used for the purposes indicated in the grant request. Variations will be made only at the direction of the Foundation, and must be requested in writing. If the grant is used for other than the stated purposes without explicit permission, the Foundation reserves the right to withdraw funding. Inquiries All funding proposals and requests for additional information must be submitted in writing to the executive director at the following address: Executive Director,
Michael D. Fields Contributing Committee: James Madison Kemper,
Jr., Chairman - Jonathan McBride Kemper
- Laura Kemper Fields |
collector and champion of the
arts.