KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Hunt Family Foundation has announced a $100,000 matching grant to City Year Kansas City in celebration of the AmeriCorps program's 10 years serving the Kansas City Public School District in Kansas City, Missouri.
"City Year Kansas City is a tremendous program with a proven track record, and our family is proud to have supported its efforts for more than ten years," Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. "During this time, City Year has improved the lives of young people and helped to build strong, vibrant communities right here in Kansas City. This year, the Hunt Family Foundation is honored to launch a matching grant challenge, doubling our annual commitment and inviting Chiefs Kingdom to join us. Together, we can amplify City Year's impact and ensure more students graduate high school ready to thrive."
The grant – which matches the foundation's annual gift to City Year from earlier this year – was announced by Chiefs President and City Year Kansas City Board Member Mark Donovan at City Year's "Friendraiser" last month. The Hunt Family Foundation has now committed more than $1.2 million to City Year Kansas City and their work in Kansas City Public Schools since 2015.
"Using their platform to strengthen our community is second nature for the Hunt Family Foundation and Kansas City Chiefs, and this couldn't be more evident than now with their matching gift for City Year KC and our work in KCMO's public schools," City Year Kansas City Senior Vice President and Executive Director Jeff Shafer said. "This type of strategic collaboration is what drives true impact and we're incredibly grateful for their longstanding partnership."
In August 2015, City Year Kansas City launched its pilot program with 16 AmeriCorps members serving as full-time tutors and mentors in two Kansas City Public Schools. The Hunt Family Foundation and the Kansas City Chiefs are founding City Year Kansas City Team Sponsors and have supported a team of City Year AmeriCorps members at Central Middle School since the program's inception in 2015. With the support of the Hunt Family Foundation and the Kansas City Chiefs, City Year has been able to maintain its service and positive impact on students at Central Middle School and across Kansas City Public Schools. City Year AmeriCorps members serve full-time in local schools, providing students with tutoring and in-class support, after-school programming, as well as organizing school-wide initiatives.
Over time, the Chiefs and the Hunt Family Foundation have hosted annual first-day-of-school events, brought Chiefs players, executives, and Legends, and have supported City Year corps members who provide direct support to students in high-need schools, helping improve attendance, behavior, and academic outcomes, especially for those most at risk, as part of their relationship with City Year Kansas City and Central Middle School.
