Kansas City’s Generosity Is Real—But Are Nonprofits Ready to Tap Into It?

2025 hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for many nonprofit leaders.

Across Kansas City and beyond, organizations are grappling with some tough realities: delayed funding decisions, paused grants, staffing cuts, and donor uncertainty. The mood? Cautious at best. And in a time when government funding is being cut week after week and fundraising goalposts keep moving, many teams are quietly wondering how they’re supposed to meet increasing demand with shrinking resources—again.

But here’s the plot twist: the generosity hasn’t gone anywhere.

In fact, according to the latest data from CCS and Cause IQ, Kansas City’s individual giving is strong—and still growing. In 2023 alone, individuals across the Kansas City metro contributed over $1.4 billion to charitable causes. That’s an enormous number—and it gets even more compelling when you realize that the average individual charitable contribution in the Kansas City metro was $3,735.

That’s higher than the statewide averages in both Kansas and Missouri.

So, what’s happening here?

Donors are giving. Nonprofits are still struggling. And that disconnect has everything to do with capacity, strategy, and storytelling.

The Philanthropic Landscape: Kansas City by the Numbers

Let’s take a quick look at where Kansas City stands:

• There are more than 15,000 nonprofit organizations operating in the Kansas City metro.

• Those organizations generate a collective $26 billion in revenue.

• The sector employs 125,000+ people, making it one of the largest employment categories in the midwest region.

• Median household income is $79,842, signaling strong giving potential.

• And again, the average individual contribution sits at $3,735, showing us that people are willing—and able—to give.

These numbers point to a powerful truth: Kansas City still has a very generous and philanthropic community. The challenge isn’t donor generosity—it’s nonprofit bandwidth.

It’s Not a Donor Problem—It’s a Capacity Problem

Over the past year, we’ve watched organizations tighten budgets, delay hires, and attempt to “pause fundraising” altogether in order to stabilize. But here’s the thing: fundraising isn’t the problem—it’s the path forward.

Many nonprofits are still operating with outdated strategies or legacy systems built for a different era (or different budget). Other nonprofits are relying on part-time development support or all-hands-on-deck event fundraising, trying to piece together annual goals with very little strategy behind the scenes.

At The Philanthropy Place, we believe that fundraising should feel doable, intentional, and built to grow with you. That’s why we work alongside organizations as fractional fundraising partners, providing hands-on support to build (or rebuild) systems that last. Whether it’s stepping in to create a sustainable major gifts program, setting up donor portfolios that actually make sense, or reimagining donor communications, our goal is to help organizations make the most of what they already have—and invite supporters into that work more meaningfully.

What Nonprofits Can Do Right Now

So, how do we reconcile donor generosity with the current stress on our sector? We believe it starts with mindset, structure, and the confidence to ask boldly.

Here’s how:

1. Focus on relationships over transactions.
   Many nonprofits are still chasing quick wins—events, grants, social media campaigns. But the data tells us that donors are ready to invest in causes they believe in. Invest in those relationships, tell your story clearly, and make the ask as a partnership.

2. Build infrastructure that matches your goals.
   That scrappy development plan that got you through the last few years may not be enough to carry your mission forward in 2025. Revisit your strategy. Clean up your donor data in your CRM. Train your team on best practices. Fundraising systems don’t have to be fancy—but they do need to help you work your plan.

3. Ask bigger.
   If the average gift in the Kansas City metro is $3,735, and you’re still asking for $250 gifts across the board, it’s time to reassess. Trust your donors. They want to know what’s needed—and they want to know their gift will make a difference.

4. Get creative with your staffing.
   You don’t have to go it alone. Interim development leadership, fractional fundraisers, and external strategy support can help you move forward without making long-term hires that your organization, culture, or budget is not yet ready for.

5. Own the opportunity.
   The Kansas City region is one of the most philanthropic in the country. The resources are here. The people are ready. The question is: are you positioned to make the most of it?

Kansas City’s generosity is real—and nonprofits don’t have to go it alone. If you’re leading a mission that matters but feeling under-resourced or unsure about next steps, we see you and hear you.

At The Philanthropy Place, we’re not here to give you a one-size-fits-all plan. We’re here to build something with you that works—so you can keep showing up for your mission, your community, and your team.

 Let’s step into what’s next—together.