Kansas City Architectural Foundation

Celebrating more than 35 years, the Kansas City Architectural Foundation (KCAF) educates individuals and communities about the power of architecture to transform lives and improve the places where we live, learn, work, and play. Through our outreach programs, grants, scholarships and educational resources, KCAF inspires people to become thoughtful and engaged stewards of the built environment.

Since being founded in 1984, KCAF has awarded more than 170 architectural scholarships amounting to over $400,000 granted to students from the metropolitan area.

KCAF is able to continue providing scholarships and educational opportunities through endowments and donations from community architectural enthusiasts. KCAF is a charitable corporation (501 (c ) 3).

KCAF SCHOLARSHIPS

Kansas City Architectural Foundation awards more than $50,000 a year in scholarships to metro-area students pursuing a degree in architecture. Applications are due each spring and awarded at an annual ceremony in August. Scholarship application is posted on this page each year. These scholarships are funded through contributions to KCAF from generous companies, individuals, and organizations.

From 2017 to 2025, Kansas City Architectural Foundation grew from awarding 6 scholarships totaling $22,000 to 15 scholarships totaling $50,500—a 150% increase in scholarships and 129% growth in total funding. 

2025 KCAF Scholarship Winners:  The 2025 KCAF scholarship winners and their families attended a recognition reception, where they met other students, received their scholarship checks, and heard from a panel of local architects who were KCAF scholarship recipients and who are now building their careers in Kansas City. Total scholarship amounts awarded in 2025:  $50,500 to 15 students, including two first-year students. Four of the students were repeat scholarship recipients. Scholarship amounts ranged from $1,000 to $8,000. Our generous donors make these scholarships possible.

2024 KCAF Scholarship Winners:  The 2024 KCAF scholarship winners and their families attended a recognition reception, where they met other students, received their scholarship checks, and heard from a panel of local architects who were KCAF scholarship recipients and who are now building their careers in Kansas City. Total scholarship amounts awarded in 2024:  $49,500 to 13 students, including two first-year students. Six of the students were repeat scholarship recipients. Scholarship amounts ranged from $1,000 to $8,000. Our generous donors make these scholarships possible.

2023 KCAF Scholarship Winners: We welcomed the 2023 KCAF scholarship winners and their families to a summer reception, where they met other students, received their scholarship checks, and heard from the director of KC Global Design. Total scholarship amounts awarded in 2023:  $52,500 (a new record) to 13 students, including two first-year students. Six of the students were repeat scholarship recipients. Scholarship amounts ranged from $1,000 to $8,000.

2022 KCAF Scholarship Winners: We welcomed the 2022 KCAF scholarship winners to a summer reception, where they met other students, received their scholarship checks, and heard from educators at KSU, KU, and UMKC. Total scholarship amounts awarded in 2022:  $47,500 to 12 students, including two first-year students. Three of the students were repeat scholarship recipients.