Founded in 1943, the Hall Family Foundation supports programs and initiatives in the Kansas City region that seek to effect positive change in our community.
The Hall Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of human life. Programs that enrich the community, help people and promote excellence are considered to be of prime importance. The Foundation views its primary function as that of a catalyst. It seeks to be responsive to programs that are innovative, yet strive to create permanent solutions to community needs in the Greater Kansas City area.
History
Joyce C. Hall was born on August 29, 1891, in David City, Nebraska. A plainspoken individual, he was raised with a deep respect for hard work and an unwavering commitment to quality. Mr. Hall came to Kansas City in 1910, and, starting with a shoebox full of cards and a rented room at the YMCA, began the business that was to become Hallmark Cards, Inc. In 1921, Joyce Hall married Elizabeth Ann Dilday. Together they built a life dedicated to family and community.
In 1943, Joyce and Elizabeth Hall, along with Joyce’s brother Rollie B. Hall, created the foundation that continues to nurture and strengthen the city they loved. As outlined in the original bylaws, they intended that the Hall Family Foundation should promote: the health, welfare and happiness of school-age children; the advancement and diffusion of knowledge; activities for the improvement of public health; and advancement of social welfare. These purposes were based on a family resolve to help people and enhance quality of life. More than 70 years later, their legacy lives on.
Grant Categories
The Hall Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropic efforts on five primary areas of need in the Kansas City Area.
Early and K-12 Education
Grantmaking in early, elementary and secondary education seeks to promote excellence and access to a quality education. We prefer to support organizations, programs and projects that address the educational needs of urban school children with a particular interest in systemic reform/improvement efforts, closing achievement gaps and building human capital.
Higher Education
The Foundation makes Higher Education grants for select programs that are considered centers of excellence. We emphasize programs that expand research capacity and education opportunities. We recognize the link between Higher Education and the economic vitality of the region.
Children, Youth and Families
Grants in this category intend to improve well-being and respond to families’ physical and emotional needs. We emphasize services to people most at risk due to poverty, limited access to resources, health issues and exposure to violence. Our preference is assistance to children and youth and to those living in the urban cores of Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas.
Community Development
Our community development grantmaking seeks to prevent or overcome blight and deterioration of the urban core and its neighborhoods. We prefer to support organizations, programs and projects that promote lasting, comprehensive redevelopment in targeted areas or whose work leverages HFF grant awards in other interest areas that may affect specific neighborhoods.
The Arts
Grants in The Arts encourage excellence in the community’s performing and visual arts organizations. Top priority is given to programs that enhance quality, strengthen management and increase audience development. While larger, established arts groups take priority, we also invest in smaller groups that fill a specific arts niche.
Additional Interests
Grants in this category include Foundation support of community-wide efforts that seek to provide long-term solutions to high priority local issues, such as Life Sciences.
