KC People’s Fund is focused on building power within communities impacted by systemic racism. Community power means that groups most affected by inequality can come together to organize and take action. They work together to set goals, change the way people think about issues, influence decision-makers, and build strong, ongoing relationships with those in power to create real change in their systems. Central to building community power is that the people in the community are the real experts on their own lives and the issues they deal with. Community power is built through organizing and base building. The focus is on supporting individuals and groups to lead their own movements for systemic change.

Systemic change refers to a fundamental shift in the structures, processes, and underlying assumptions that govern a system. By addressing the root causes of problems rather than the symptoms, it will lead to a transformation that affects the entire system in a positive and sustainable way. Rather than focusing on isolated interventions, systemic change aims to create ripple effects throughout the entire system to foster deep, lasting improvements.

The KC People’s Fund uses participatory gifting to make new funding decisions. We honor the wisdom and leadership of the communities we seek to serve by ceding decision-making power to our Gifting Team. The members of the Gifting Team use their lived experience to collectively decide where funds are invested. Those funds are distributed as gifts, not grants with no restrictions or conditions aside from those required by federal and state laws.

WE ENVISION A KANSAS CITY WHERE
BLACK, BROWN INDIGENOUS
AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR
HAVE = ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES,
OPPORTUNITIES, AND SUPPORT
NEEDED TO THRIVE IN A WORLD WITH
ABUNDANCE AND LOVE