Kauffman Foundation announces $1 million gift to Union Station

In what is being called “a grand vote of confidence,” the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to Union Station.

The gift, to be doled out in installments over three years, will help ensure the continuation of the ever-expanding Maker Faire Kansas City, which drew more than 17,000 people last month. The Kauffman Foundation was a founding sponsor of Maker Faire Kansas City, which began in 2011.

The gift will also support the year-round Maker Studio at Union Station’s Science City, as well as other programming.

In a statement announcing the grant, Kauffman Foundation president and CEO Wendy Guillies said Union Station “has evolved to become a 21st century hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and community events.”

The grant represents an increase in the support the station has previously received from the Kauffman Foundation, said Union Station CEO George Guastello. He said it will give the station “the opportunity to develop new programs across the spectrum of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education for our entire community.”

Union Station board chairman Bob Regnier called the grant “a grand vote of confidence that signals to Kansas City what to expect from Union Station in the future.”

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Kauffman Foundation announces $1 million gift to Union Station."