Kauffman Foundation: What's Going On?

The Sept. 4 resignations of three Kauffman Foundation board directors, an inquiry by the Missouri Attorney General and reduced commitments to some local programs have left many Kansas City nonprofits wondering what the $1.7 billion organization's role will be in the future.

Paul Carttar, the Kauffman Foundation's new COO, admitted that there is reason for confusion. "I can assure you we have a high level of appreciation for how poor our communication back to the community has been, not just about our thinking at any given point in time but the process that we were going though in the re-evaluation of our focus and priorities," Carttar said.

Carttar said the foundation's new management team is working to repair damaged relations in the community. Part of its message is that Kansas City will remain a key part of the foundation's focus.

Changes at the foundation have become a lightning rod for nonprofits frustrated by economic conditions and financing problems that are out of their control, said Don Wise, president of CommonWealth Consulting LLC in Leawood, which works with area nonprofits.

Visit the Kauffman Foundation website. Kauffman is a huge supporter of economic development initiatives, especially those relating to entrerpreneurship. Let's hope all this great work continues.

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