July 20, 2026, is the 10th anniversary of the creation of Great Jobs KC/KC Scholars. Founded on Ewing Marion Kauffman's belief that an education should be available to EVERYONE no matter their circumstances. Great Jobs KC has worked diligently across the KC metro to serve our community and support systemic change as Mr. Kauffman intended. 10 years later, Great Jobs KC has empowered 17,000 adults and youth to meet their education and career goals by providing access to financial and other resources for post-secondary credentials and opportunities to transition into high-demand, family-sustaining careers. Thanks to Mayor Lucas, we can celebrate this anniversary and honor Mr. Kauffman’s legacy with the official proclamation of  “Great Jobs KC Day” on July 20th, 2026. 

Honoring our core value of continuous improvement, we are always working to put Scholars first. Over the past decade, we have served as a vital engine for economic mobility and educational advancement by continuously evolving our programs. While we started as a traditional college scholarship, over the past 10 years, we have expanded to include short-term training programs for KC Metro adults ready to learn hard skills quickly and get back into the workforce. We kept pushing boundaries for radical transformation within our city by expanding our support network to include a comprehensive workforce development strategy, delivered through our in-network Employer Partner Program, to match graduated Scholars with local companies hiring in their specific field. Being the bridge between local talent and regional employers, we maintain a forward-looking stance on community equity. As a result of our Scholars' educational strides, over 3,000 have been placed in great jobs that not only support them and their families but also the Kansas City economy. 

As we mark one decade of community transformation and generational expansion, we honor those who helped make it all possible. Thank you to every donor, every partner, every person who has spoken about our programs so we can continue to grow and reach even more people, tapping into the talent in our own backyards. And thank you to our Scholars for knowing, seeing, and continuously cultivating your talent. It is because of you that Kansas City is stronger and the future is indeed brighter!