The Center Education Foundation was founded in 1999 with the purpose of enhancing educational opportunities for children in the Center School District in South Kansas City, Missouri.  The Foundation currently funds two important programs. The first provides grants to teachers in the District who have requested funds to support projects that extend the educational program provided through the District budget. The second program is focused on addressing the problem of student mobility (students moving in an out of schools during the year, largely due to unstable housing conditions). The Foundation supports the Impact Center Schools program that is operated collaboratively by various agencies in South Kansas City to help families with school-age children succeed in finding and staying in stable, affordable, and dignified housing.

The Center School District serves families in the South part of Kansas City, Missouri. Our student population is highly diverse with a significant percentage of students coming from low to middle income families. A fundamental goal of the District is to provide educational opportunities that help our students prepare to be productive citizens in a rapidly changing world.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of community leaders who share a vision for quality education.  The Board meets regularly to review grant requests, provide oversight of Foundation activities and support the funding needs of the Foundation.  Current Board members include:

• Chairman - Rick Sanford; Compass Realty Group / Impact Homes LLC, CHS Graduate
  
• Vice Chairman - Mark Pratt, CFP; Creative Planning Retirement Solutions
• Treasurer - OPEN

• Aaron Racine, J.D.; Monaco, Sanders, Racine, Powell & Reidy, CHS Graduate
• William Gotfredson, J.D.; Law Office of William J Gotfredson, P.C.
  
• Ted Beckett, J.D.; Beckett & Hensley, CHS Graduate
  
• Martha Capehart; Retired Executive Secretary, Center School District
• Larry Mattson; Retired Educator
• Selina Rios; City Year, CHS Graduate
• Cathy Stoetzer; Husch Blackwell LLP
• John Parker, Q10 Triad Capital Advisors
  
• Judy Unruh, Real Estate Agent simpliHŌM