22 Kansas City nonprofits awarded grants by the Mazuma Foundation

Mazuma Credit Union donating over $140,000 to benefit Kansas Citians - Read Full Article Here

OVERLAND PARK, KA (February 28, 2022) — The Mazuma Foundation continues its purpose to make Kansas City a better place to live, work, and bank with the announcement of its 2021 grant winners. This year, the Mazuma Foundation selected 22 local nonprofits to receive grants that will fund projects such as community theater performances and mobile food pantries across the Kansas City metropolitan area.

“The grant program and the Foundation further our efforts to support the valuable groups who are providing important services to fellow Kansas Citians,” said Deonne Christensen, President, and CEO of Mazuma. “I am proud of the Credit Union for the levels of Give-Back whether it be through donations, grants from our Mazuma Foundation, volunteer hours through our 40 Hours for Good Program and/or the events and financial education provided”.

This year’s grant winners include:

  • American Jazz Museum’s KC Jazz Incubator

  • Boys and Girls Club of Kansas City’s Whole Child Development Program

  • Coldwater’s No Hungry Kids Hope Food Packs

  • Community Capital Fund Workshop

  • Girl Scouts of the USA’s Financial Literacy Experience

  • Harvester’s Mobile Food Pantry

  • Hope House’s Civil Legal Program

  • Hope Kids KC’s Hope Day Program

  • InterUrban Art House

  • KC Shepherd’s Center’s Meals on Wheels

  • Kansas City Public Theater’s Urban Lab

  • Learn Science and Math Club’s Geeks for Kids and Advent for Good

  • Lee’s Summit Symphony Orchestra

  • Meals on Wheels

  • Northeast Community Center’s Harmony Project

  • Overland Park Orchestra’s Nutcracker Ballet

  • POAC’s Real World Learning

  • Prosperity Center for Youth

  • Startland’s MECA Challenge Youth Education Program

  • Summit Street Art Festival

  • The Gilda’s Club Financial Education for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

  • Thelma’s Kitchen

Each organization submitted an application to the Foundation to be considered for a grant. The Mazuma Foundation Board of Directors evaluated the applicants and selected the 22 recipients based on criteria relating to the core focus areas of art, financial education, and community development. In addition to the grants, Mazuma’s Corporate Social Responsibility program was able to support other community partners such as ArtsKC, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Jack & Jill of America, and the Victory Project, amongst others, bringing the total monetary give back in 2021 to over $140,000.

“With the Mazuma Foundation’s support, we will be able to provide financial education for cancer patients and their caregivers during the most challenging time of their lives,” said Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley, Executive Director of Gilda’s Club Kansas City. “Our mission to ensure people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community dovetails with Mazuma’s, and we’re grateful for the Foundation grant that will help us continue our important work in Kansas City.”

Besides the grant program, Mazuma finds other ways to give back to the community. Through Mazuma’s 40 Hours for Good program, Mazuma Team Members receive 40 hours of paid volunteer time annually to support Kansas City nonprofit organizations focused on the arts, financial education, or community development.  Mazuma also offers space in their three community rooms, free of charge, for any organization looking for a place to meet and discuss ways to make Kansas City a better place, socially and economically.  Mazuma was also a founding institution for the Kansas City COVID Relief and Recovery Fund, donating $100,000 to the cause.

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