In 2022, UMKC launched its fourth year of the First Gen Roo Scholars (FGR) program. FGR aims to support incoming first-generation college students (FGCS) to decrease gaps in retention and GPA, while also bolstering this population’s sense of community and integration on campus. As students whose parents or guardians did not receive a bachelor's degree in the United States, our scholars represent a diverse range of academic majors, financial need, and intersecting identities. Considering the specific experiences, skills, and values first-generation college students bring to the university makes education more equitable and possible for all students and empowers them to further contribute to UMKC. Our fall 2021 cohort achieved an average GPA of 3.25 and a 100% retention rate into spring semester, which far exceeded their non-FGR peers. Receiving an award through UMKC’s Giving Day would allow us to support additional scholars ($1,000 per student) in our 2023-2024 cohort. These scholars are then more likely to invest in the mentorship of future first-generation college students – on average, half (50%) of our peer mentors were FGR participants themselves. Donations to First Gen Roo Scholars ultimately supports retention, diversity, and community on UMKC’s campus.
Culture Fest is an annual event organized by the international student ambassadors at UMKC. The event brings together students, staff, faculty, and the Kansas City community to celebrate multiculturalism and embrace diversity on campus. The motive is to make UMKC a home and inclusive place for everyone, aligned with the fourth pillar of our strategic plan. Culture Fest 2023 is scheduled to happen on April 22, and we are excited to invite you to the event. Your participation is invaluable, and it means a lot to us! The program includes free continental cuisine and student participation in themed segments, including cultural exchange booths, cuisine contests, fashion shows, and talent night. We request your support to keep the event open and free for all. All donations will be directly utilized towards event expenses and support to participating students. All sponsors receive a special invitation to the Culture Fest, an appreciation certificate for their contributions, and participation in a raffle draw to win exciting prizes.
Don Quixote in the Modern World restorationOn the second-floor lobby of UMKC’s Haag Hall resides one of the world’s great art treasures. In 1940-1941, Spanish artist and political refugee Luis Quintanilla came to the University of Kansas City as an artist in residence. He left behind a series of murals in his unique style that depicted a retelling of Don Quixote in the “modern world” of 1940s America. They convey a powerful message about America’s quixotic attitude towards the war and the dangers of fascism that was ravaging Europe. Quintanilla used the university’s own students, faculty, and staff as the models for his work. These murals represent the largest surviving work of Quintanilla, whose many public murals were destroyed during the Second World War. They are a priceless treasure. It has been nearly 30 years since conservation work was last performed on the murals. In that time, colors have faded, spots have worn thin, and chips have fallen from the plaster. We are asking for the funds to help preserve this treasure for future generations. Moreover, we seek funds to help the university provide education and interpretation for the murals through signage.Restoration and Preservation: $2000Interpretive Signage: $500
The Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center is an on-campus resource that seeks to assist our UMKC community meet their basic needs: nutritious food, safe housing, financial assistance, and mental health resources. At the Care Center, we understand that these basic needs are what builds a foundation for personal and academic success. Established in May 2022, The Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center was made possible through the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Memorial Fund that honors the life of Chancellor’s Agrawal’s mother who was a champion of holistic support. We look forward to continuing to honor her legacy by ensure that each student that comes to the Care Center will feel safe and supported during the educational career. Due to your contributions last year, we met our goal to relocate the Care Center into a more centralized on campus to remove stigma from needing assistance and has allowed our staff to serve each student according to their specific needs. This year, you can help us continue the necessary work of making sure our students have a solid foundation for success by participating in in Giving Day. Here’s how your gift on Giving Day can help:• $20 = 60 meals• $50 = Allows us to purchase personal hygiene products for our students in need• $300 = assist with the purchase of fresh dairy products for our students • $750 = 500 reusable shopping bags for students
The School of Nursing and Health Studies (SoNHS) has a need for student scholarships, specifically for our RN-BSN and BHS programs. 83% of Nursing and Health Studies students rely on financial aid. 40% of undergrads receive UMKC grants or scholarships. Without that support, they could not continue their education. With your support, we can make a difference in these students' lives. We can help cover some of the extensive costs they accrue and can lighten the financial burden.
The Student Emergency Fund provides support for students who have an urgent need for temporary financial assistance. This fund allows students to continue their degree program uninterrupted. Applications for the fund are reviewed regularly, ensuring a timely awarding process.
We are so happy to announce that Professor Emeritus Kathy Krause will provide a dollar for dollar match up to $1,000 for contributions to our Summer Study Abroad program in Lyon, France. Please help us take advantage of this generous matching gift today, and double YOUR impact! Every summer, UMKC students have the chance to study abroad in France, Spain or Argentina through the Foreign Languages & Literatures department. For Summer 2023 the French Study Abroad program will visit Lyon, France where students will spend six weeks attending classes, visiting historical sites, and immersing in French culture by living with local families. As one of our alumni put it, “My experience as a student in the UMKC French program and studying abroad in France changed my life. As a first-generation college student, I felt that the French professors were INVESTED in helping students learn and grow. In particular, studying abroad in Lyon was a transformative experience. The French program made me a better writer and speaker, skills I use every day in my career.” Developing self-reliance and adaptability, improving cultural awareness and communicative competence are all transferable skills valuable in both a student’s personal and professional life. Unfortunately, at $5,000 this experience is cost prohibitive for many students. To support our students, many of them first generation, the Foreign Languages & Literatures department created a French Study Abroad Scholarship Fund. Join friends and alumni in making the opportunity to study abroad accessible for current and future UMKC students. Please help make it possible for more Roos to embark on this powerful voyage to Lyon!
We need your help to raise money for the School of Medicine's Student Emergency Fund. Your donations will support our students in times of need, whether an urgent need arises or an ongoing need requires financial assistance.
Dance tells a story and costumes do the same. Costumes to dance and perform in are very important to portray what we do. Costumes not only make you feel like somebody else, but it makes you move in a different way. Part of our BFA degree is in Choreography and Performance, and for both of those you need costumes. Costumes give dancers and choreographers that finishing touch of professionalism. And here at UMKC that is what we are trying to grasp, to be a professional dancer. As dance majors, we are honored to work with so many choreographers and costumes can tie a piece together, and is the forefront of how the piece is presented on stage. It brings moving art to life! Costumes can range anywhere between $75-$200 a person and to perform ballets with gorgeous tutus, those can range anywhere between $200-$500 a person. This UMKC Giving Day, please consider giving to the UMKC Conservatory Dance Department Costume Fund so we can continue bringing excellence to the stage in how we move and how we look. @umkcdance
In 2014, the UMKC School of Law Young Alumni Committee started a fundraiser to provide lunch at the bar for UMKC alumni sitting for the February and July bar exams in both Missouri and Kansas. Now, more than ever, we feel it is tremendously important to provide our newest colleagues with this little peace of mind as they sit for this exam.
On July 1, 2022 Social Work and Psychology combined with Education to form a new unit at UMKC called the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences (SESWPS). In celebration of this, we want to collectively raise $5000 for Psychology and Social Work toward student scholarships. We are inviting alumni and friends of these departments to start giving monthly gifts. If someone were to commit to giving $10 per month, the yearly amount would count toward the goal (in this case $120). $25 per month would equal $300 yearly, and so on. We can potentially accomplish much together, as 20 people committing to $10 per month would provide 2 yearly scholarships of $1200 each. Join us and be part of surpassing this goal in celebration of raising scholarship funds through monthly giving for UMKC's Social Work and Psychology departments! You will be able to confirm which department your gift will support after clicking the “Make a Donation” tab.
Support the Alumni Association! The Alumni Association works diligently to keep alumni connected and engaged through UMKC's schools and colleges. Our goal is to help connect fellow classmates, support current students, network or just stay on top of what’s happening at UMKC. The Alumni Association also works to develop volunteer opportunities to mentor students and new resources for career and professional development. As all alumni are automatically members, and there are no annual dues, the Association relies on the generous support of alumni. Your support will help ensure that the Alumni Association is able to continue providing quality programming for alumni and supporting our students.
Are you passionate about supporting Black students at UMKC and connecting with Black Alumni? The Black Alumni Alliance (BAA) assists in supporting the recruitment, retention and support of Black students at UMKC. BAA does this through partnership with campus offices and through support of UMKC Black student organizations. BAA also facilitates both professional networking of Black alumni, faculty and staff through existing campus and community events as well as through the creation of new programs that provide professional development and networking opportunities. In addition to student and alumni programming and support, BAA assists in the preservation of Black history on the UMKC and in the recognition of Black alumni and student successes.
The Institute for Urban Education (IUE) addresses racial disparities and educational inequities through the preparation and support of exemplary teachers for richly diverse schools in Kansas City. The presence of effective, committed, culturally aware, and diverse teachers is the most significant factor for increasing student achievement. Students in the IUE sign a contract before beginning their studies committing to teach in a partner Kansas City urban school for 4 years upon graduating. In return for this commitment they receive generous scholarships that support them throughout their studies in the IUE. The IUE wants to raise $4000 toward student scholarships. We are inviting alumni and friends of the IUE to give towards IUE scholarships and student support. This giving can be one-time giving or set up as a monthly gift. For example, if someone were to commit to giving $10 per month, the yearly amount would count toward the goal (in this case $120). $25 per month would equal $300 yearly, and so on. We can potentially accomplish much together, as 20 people committing to $10 per month would provide 2 yearly scholarships of $1200 each. Individual one-time gifts are also invited! Join us and be part of surpassing this goal in celebration of raising scholarship funds through monthly giving for UMKC's Institute for Urban Education!
Student Teams work throughout the year to build robots and human-powered vehicles or to solve algorithmic programming problems. These diverse teams give students a chance to test their academic knowledge with real-world projects- gaining presentation skills, technical skills, project management skills, and communication skills. This robust experience builds strong resumes for our next generation of workforce leaders. Student Teams within the School of Computing & Engineering- Baja Buggy, Big Beam, Concrete Canoe, Game Dev, Integration Bee, Robotics, and Missouri Collegiate Mathematics Competition Teams all require funds for travel, materials, and equipment. Please give today to support these amazing Student Teams!
Every summer, UMKC students have the chance to participate in programs to France, Spain or Argentina through the Foreign Languages & Literatures department. For Summer 2023 the Spanish Study Abroad program will visit Malaga, Spain. Study abroad is a life-changing experience. There is no better path to strengthen language skills, expand cultural knowledge, and foster empathetic, world ready leaders. During six weeks, students attend classes, visit historical sites, and immerse themselves in the culture by living with local families. Unfortunately, at $5,000 this experience is cost prohibitive for many students. To support our students, many of them first generation, the Foreign Languages & Literatures department created a Spanish Study Abroad Scholarship Fund. Join friends and alumni in helping to make the opportunity to study abroad accessible for current and future UMKC students. Please help more Roos experience Malaga, Spain this summer!
The Graduate Assistance Fund (GAF), supported by the Women's Council, provides financial support to women currently enrolled in all graduate programs at UMKC, expands opportunities, and enhances educational experience and careers. Funds help them conduct required research, travel to professional conferences, and engage in educational opportunities beyond the classroom. Over the past 52 years, the GAF has assisted more than 2,500 women by providing more than $2.2 million in graduate fellowships. Your gift will help ensure this fund can support women graduate students in the future. Help us raise $2,023 in 2023!
The Multicultural and Community Affairs Committee is partnering with the Multicultural Student Affairs Office and Harris Park to provide historically underrepresented students with the opportunity to learn the basics of golf.Golf is often seen as an exclusive sport, and we want to make sure that more students have the ability to say yes when asked to participate. Your sponsorship will ensure that our students gain a valuable skills for their toolkit. In addition to providing this opportunity for students, this tournament is a fundraiser for the MCA Committee to continue to provide vital support and programs for our historically underrepresented students.
The School of Pharmacy is raising funds to assist its current and future students. Every dollar you give makes a difference.
Each year UMKC relies on gifts to the annual fund from alumni, parents and friends to meet the immediate needs of our schools and programs. These gifts play an essential role in our ability to teach, discover and lead. Help us provide big opportunities for our UMKC students with a gift to the annual fund.
Support students at UMKC by donating to the Career Services Professional Wardrobe Studio and Closet. We proudly make it possible for students to dress for success for interviews, career fairs, and networking events. Students can select up to 5 professional clothing items per semester at no charge and are able to keep all items for future use. We understand that students are on a tight budget, and we want to make it possible for students to have the best chance of making a good first impression when connecting with employers and land their dream job. With your contribution, we will be able to keep our clothing racks full, purchase supplies, provide professional dry-cleaning services, and create an inviting space for our Roos. Your donation will make it all possible.
Dental students are given $500 worth of vouchers to distribute to dental clinic patients, helping those in need and further connecting students to patient care.
* Match Alert! The Heart of America Patriot Foundation will match all donations dollar for dollar up to $25,000! Heart of America Patriot Foundation (HOAPF) Scholarship is for UMKC students who are dependents of 100% Disabled Veterans, those who were Killed in Action, and those veterans who were Prisoners of War. Disabled Veterans and their families often have a lot on their plate, and this scholarship helps to remove some of that burden and worry of how their children will pay for school. Help us make a college dreams come true for dependents of patriots! Make a gift on Giving Day!
By contributing to the Roo Athletic Fund, you are making an essential investment in Kansas City Athletics. Contributions have a direct impact on our student-athletes – from academic support, additional resources in sports nutrition, and performance and renovation of facilities – enabling us with the ability to recruit and retain the highest caliber of student-athletes and coaches.With nearly $50,000 in average annual expenditures per student-athlete, funding is essential to support the academic and athletic success of more than 250 Kansas City student-athletes.
This discretionary fund allows the school to fund projects and initiatives that are not reflected in the regular budget.
This projects supports an exciting aspect of dental instruction - the use of digital tools to diagnose and treat dental patients.
Help support UMKC students who have an urgent need for temporary financial assistance, especially if it might prevent a student from continuing their degree program. In an emergency or crisis situation, UMKC aims to be a lifeline for students in need. These resources are to be used to prevent major interruption in completing academic requirements by students who have encountered unexpected financial obstacles. Average awards are about $750. We don't want to turn away any students due to a lack of funding. Your support can change the world for one of our UMKC students!