The Francis Family Foundation envisions current and future generations of well-rounded individuals who are creative, lifelong learners, striving to achieve their fullest potential within their communities.
The Francis Family Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals, families and communities with particular commitment to the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.
By modeling and reflecting our family's vision, history, interests and values, we will accomplish this mission:
- Through effective and innovative grant making in health research, lifelong learning and arts and culture.
- By drawing upon the best research and best practices.
- By focusing on community-based initiatives and collaborations.
- By supporting programs that address unmet community needs.
- Through focused, proactive grant making.
The Francis Family Foundation believes in:
Excellence - We are committed to standards of excellence in our operations and grant making activities.
Accessibility - We believe all members of our communities should have the opportunity to participate fully in educational, cultural and social activities, and believe we should seek ways to improve access to these activities to individuals and families of all ages, religions, races, ethnicities, financial abilities and physical and mental abilities.
Diversity and Inclusiveness - We believe in the rich diversity of the greater Kansas City area, and promote inclusiveness in the way we work and in our grant making activities. We seek to celebrate our common experiences and concerns through our grants.
Community - We embrace and promote a strong sense of community and seek opportunities with great potential for strengthening community life and the urban fabric.
Innovation and Creativity - We value the creative process among people of all ages and backgrounds, and we encourage excellence and innovation in our grant making activities.
Lifelong Learning - We promote lifelong learning as a key factor in developing active, well-rounded and contributing individuals in our communities.
Collaboration - We encourage and model collaboration among funders and community organizations.
Integrity and Sustainability - We maintain and promote fiscal and program integrity in our operations and grant making activities to ensure the sustainability of organizations that enrich community life.
Planning and Evaluation - We believe in planning and evaluation as critical methods to assess the effectiveness of our grant making so we can make a difference.
Francis Family Foundation funding enables breakthrough solutions in pulmonary medicine leading to the development of enhanced treatments and cures for pulmonary diseases.
To attract, develop and retain the best researchers in the field of pulmonary research.
1. Fund the Parker B. Francis (PBF) Pulmonary Research Fellows Program, which is recognized internationally as a model program for pulmonary research, and help leverage additional funds for pulmonary research and care.
2. Consider partnerships that enhance the pulmonary research environment and more quickly advance research solutions into practice worldwide.
Francis Family Foundation funding encourages lifelong learning for people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds through innovative, diverse, creative and research- proven ways of learning.
To promote: (1) quality during a child’s earliest learning experiences; (2) the family’s role as first teachers; and (3) access to excellence in K-12th grade, especially in the urban core of Kansas City.
1. Support organizations, programs and initiatives that improve the quality and capacity of the metrowide early education system and leverage potential for long-term sustainability.
- Support development and marketing of a metrowide quality rating system.
- Improve professional development opportunities for early education teachers and directors, especially in developmentally appropriate practices.
- Educate the public and the policymakers about the importance of quality early education and making investments in long-term sustainability of quality early education programs.
2. Support organizations, programs and initiatives that increase a parent’s ability to support their children’s early development and school readiness, especially in positive verbal communication and foundations for literacy. Special emphasis will be given to services for underserved minority and low-income families.
3. Invest proactively in community partnership opportunities to support K-12 urban education reform efforts.
Francis Family Foundation funding promotes the principle that arts and culture are fundamentally important for all people.
To support development of the greater Kansas City area as a creative community recognized as a regional hub for excellence in arts and culture, rich with expression of diverse cultures and affording access to all levels of creative participation.
1. Support arts and culture organizations, programs and initiatives that:
Promote and sustain regional excellence in artistic and creative expression;
Enable greater access for children, families and adults to participate in arts and culture programs, especially underserved minority and low-income community members;
Enhance the environment that nurtures the training, development and creative process of visual and performing artists, and expands the number of people who support their work; and
Support public engagement and public policy advocacy efforts that leverage funding for long-term sustainability of arts and culture organizations in the greater Kansas City area.
2. Fund a Small Arts Grant Program that promotes grassroots arts and culture programs in traditional and non-traditional sites throughout the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.
3.Invest proactively in community partnerships, which enable greater access for school children Pre-K–12th, especially underserved minority and low-income students, to participate in enriching arts and cultural experiences.