CCF Launches Rooted Change Fund
Today, Community Capital Fund is launching the Rooted Change Fund with support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The fund is designed to support grassroots, community-based organizations advancing economic mobility in historically underserved areas of the Kansas City metro.
Eligible applicants can request up to $50,000 (one-year) or $100,000 (two-year) to launch or grow projects that create and expand economic mobility in target areas of need. Examples of projects that may be funded include:
Job Creation & Entrepreneurship: employment pathways, small-business creation
Sector-Focused Skill Building: mentorships, apprenticeships, certificates, and industry-aligned training
Financial Assistance: grants, stipends, credit repair, debt management, property improvements, or other catalytic capital
Social Capital: partnerships, memberships, and networks that open doors to opportunity
Transportation & Access: commute supports, car repair clinics, ridesharing, digital skills, and wayfinding to employment hubs
Housing Stability (light-touch): minor home repairs, homebuyer or tenant education, home-based business education
Note: Requests to build new housing units are not eligible. Improvements to public infrastructure require permission from the governing authority. If an applicant has an idea to promote economic mobility that is not listed above, CCF encourages them to reach out directly.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be organizations based in Jackson County (MO), Clay County (MO), or Wyandotte County (KS)serving low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. Eligible entities include nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status) or other organizations with a charitable purpose that have at least one year of operating history and $300,000 or less in current or prior-year revenue. Grant awards are capped at 30% of the organization’s previous year budget.
Application Timeline:
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025: Applications open (online only)
Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Info Session #1 — Register here
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, 5:00–6:00 p.m.: Info Session #2 — Register here
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CST: Application deadline
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026: Award notifications via email
Early March 2026: Disbursements & cohort kickoff
Organizations interested in applying can do so online. For questions, email grants@ccfkansascity.org or call 816-502-9584.
Learn more and apply: ccfkansascity.org/rootedchange