T H I S I S W H Y W E D O I T
2 0 2 5 A W A R D S C E L E B R A T I O N
Why do we get up every morning and face the day with determination? Even if it feels like what we do might not be enough? Why do we choose this kind of work? What do we say when our friends and family ask, “Why do you still care?” Because itʼs what we do. It's why we're here. Sure, we could probably work fewer hours, endure less stress. But on the days when there is a tiny success, a small victory or a big win, we know we're in the right place, with the right people. Because we are resilient, innovative and, let's face it, single-minded and tenacious. We choose the sunny side of the street and we don't give up easily. The Nonprofit Connect Awards Celebration is our way of honoring our nonprofit community. Itʼs a chance to come together to reaffirm, trade stories, see old colleagues and make new friends. A chance to recharge and refresh with the people who understand just why we do it.
TUESDAY,
MAY 13, 2025
2025 Sponsorship Opportunities
Every day nonprofits make an incredible impact, strengthening our community and improving lives. This is why we do it. We believe in lifting up the changemakers and celebrating their dedication.
By becoming a sponsor of the 2025 Awards Celebration you are championing the mission driven work that makes Kansas City a better place to live and work. Your sponsorship directly empowers Nonprofit Connect to provide essential support, education and connections that help nonprofits fulfill their purpose.
Join us on May 13, 2025 at the Muehlebach Hotel as we honor those who give their all for our community by becoming a sponsor. For questions regarding sponsorships for the 2025 Awards Celebration please contact events@npconnect.org.
2024 Nonprofit Connect Awards Celebration — Photos by Ashley Elwell Photos
2 0 2 5 H O N O R E E S
Equity in Action
Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care - Represented by David Wiley
David became President & CEO for Kansas City Hospice in September 2016 after serving as the Chief Operating Officer for two years. Prior to that, David served on the Kansas City Hospice Board of Directors for 14 months beginning 2013. As CEO, David has hired a new executive team and worked to instill a culture of support and servant leadership enabling our frontline teams to provide high level care.
David came to KCH with more than twenty years of progressive leadership experience at H&R Block, a fortune 500 company located in Kansas City. His experience and leadership roles included field management, call center, finance, accounting and cross-functional leadership of organizations. David loves to volunteer and understands the impact that volunteers can make to those they serve which is so important in end-of-life care.
Stronger Together
Northeast Community Center-Home of Harmony Project KC and The Greater KC Hispanic Development Fund - Represented by Kyla Pitts-Zevin and John Kearney
The Northeast Community Center utilizes the universal language of music to develop young musicians and minds, partner with families, and build community in Kansas City. In a neighborhood with 25+ languages spoken, music is the universal language. Together, they are orchestrating a thriving community through access to music education and wraparound services including educational and supportive programs.
The mission of the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Development Fund is to improve the quality of life of Latino families in Greater Kansas City by engaging the Latino community in philanthropy to build stronger communities through grantmaking and scholarship support,
Nonprofit Catalyst (Staff Member - Small Organization)
Kathryn Walker - ARTS KC
Spanning the four decades with a 13-year tenure with ArtsKC, Kathryn brings knowledge and wisdom to the workplace. Although past retirement age, she has not yet retired because she believes in the mission of “Advancing Lives Through the Arts” and know that the work ArtsKC is doing is making a systemic change in the quality of life for the region.
Nonprofit Catalyst (Staff Member- Large Organization)
Gloria Jackson-Leathers - Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Gloria Jackson-Leathers is senior advisor to the president, community engagement at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
She is responsible for fostering and enhancing relationships between the Foundation and the diverse communities it serves. As a key advisor on matters related to community engagement, Jackson-Leathers provides vision, direction, and oversight to help advance the foundation’s community engagement initiatives. She is a former commissioner of the Greater Kansas City Housing Authority and former board member of Visit KC as well as the Ewing Marion Kauffman School.
Nonprofit Catalyst (Executive-Small Organization)
Bobbi Jo Reed - Healing House KC
Bobbi-Jo Reed is a person in long-term recovery with 25 years of continuous sobriety. She is the Founder and CEO of Healing House, Inc. in the Historic Northeast KC.
She is Chair of the Kansas City Recovery Coalition, member of the Missouri-Division of Behavioral Health State Advisory Council, a Mental Health First Aid instructor, Trauma Informed Care trainer, Certified Peer Specialist- Supervisor and Medicated Assisted Recovery Specialist; recognized as a 2018 Mental Health Champion and an Executive Member of the Missouri Coalition of Recovery. Service Providers and the National Association of Recovery Residences.
Nonprofit Catalyst (Executive – Large Organization)
Robin Winner & Dennis Meier - Synergy Services
Robin has provided non-profit management for more than forty-five years and has been at the helm for Synergy Services since 2000.
Dennis is a 30+ year veteran of Synergy Services, serving first as a Family Counselor, then as Director of Therapeutic Services, and finally as Associate Executive of Clinical Services before being named Co-Executive Director in 2018.
Excellence in Impact
Great Jobs KC - Represented by Earl Martin Phalen
Great Jobs KC supports you on your journey to success. Whether it’s a college degree or a job-training certification that leads to a financially secure future, we provide access to all. We support you through scholarships for college, tuition-free job training programs, access to good-paying employment opportunities, and the support needed to remove the barriers that might keep you from succeeding.
Persevering Advocate
Teresa & Tom Walsh - HNC Living Foundation
The Walshes recognized the real need in the Kansas City area, and across the country, to help head and neck cancer patients who may struggle with significant financial needs.
In December 2013, they formed HNC Living Foundation to provide financial assistance for head and neck cancer patients to improve their treatment, recovery and quality of life. In July 2014, HNC Living’s 501(c)(3) application for nonprofit exempt status was approved. HNC Living has awarded over $2 million dollars and has helped more than 2,600 head and neck cancer patients.
