Great Jobs KC and Heights are excited to announce a friendly fundraising competition leading up to Super Bowl LIX. The two organizations are challenging supporters to raise the most money in honor of the big game, with the winning team earning bragging rights and the opportunity to see the other GET SAUCED.
Great Jobs KC is a non-profit organization that empowers individuals to achieve economic independence through college degrees, job training, and career development. Heights connects Philly’s youth, especially Black, Brown, and first-generations-to-college students from low-income communities, to educational and career opportunities that support their pathways to economic mobility. Both organizations share a commitment to strengthening their community and a passion for their hometown NFL team.
If Great Jobs KC raises the most funds, the Heights’ development team will nominate a team member to pour Kansas City BBQ sauce over their head. If Heights raises more funds, then Great Jobs KC’s Director of Leadership Annual Giving, Laura Cooke, will pour the infamous Philly Cheesesteak cheese whiz over her head.
Great Jobs KC’s Laura Cooke knows how exciting this time of year can be. “As a lifelong Chiefs fan and proud Swiftie, I couldn’t be more excited for the big game—and for a little friendly competition off the field with our friends in Philly! Gridiron Giving is our chance to rally the community behind Great Jobs KC and show that Kansas City doesn’t just win championships, we impact our community one future at a time. Every dollar raised helps our Scholars achieve their college and career dreams. Go Great Jobs KC, and Go Chiefs!”
The team from Heights is equally energized, “The energy in Philadelphia is electric as we head into the Super Bowl this week, and Heights Philadelphia is excited to show Great Jobs KC how our city soars when given the chance, ” said Julie Avalos, AVP of Development, Heights Philadelphia. “Thanks to the Gridiron Giving campaign, we have the opportunity to show Kansas City how our city rallies – not just for the Philadelphia Eagles, but for the students of Philadelphia too. In Philly, we don’t just play hard, we give hard. Go Birds!”
The Super Bowl Fundraising Challenge will run from Tuesday, February 4th, up until 8 am CST on Monday, February 10th, or what we call VICTORY MONDAY! Supporters can donate to their preferred organization online at give.greatjobskc.org/gridiron for KC and give.heights.org for Philly. The winning team will be announced, and bets will be paid via social media following the Super Bowl.
About Great Jobs KC
Great Jobs KC (www.greatjobskc.org) is a 501(c)(3) college scholarship and tuition-free job training program. Its goal is to support persistence and increase the college completion rate for low- and modest-income students across the six-county, bi-state service region and secure family-sustaining careers. The organization was designed to change thousands of individual lives and transform the region by preparing the local future workforce and contributing to the regional economy.
The KC Scholars Scholarship Program awards traditional college scholarships to high school juniors, adult learner scholarships to adults 18 years and older, and college savings match awards to high school freshmen.
The Great Jobs KC program provides tuition assistance to approved career training programs in high-demand industries such as construction, healthcare, information technology, logistics/warehousing, manufacturing, and service careers. With the support of Great Jobs KC, adults 17+ and older can learn the skills needed in one year or less to earn between $45,000-$85,000.
Great Jobs KC supports all its Scholars throughout their college or job training and into their first year of employment.
About Heights Philadelphia
Heights Philadelphia (“Heights”) is an Economic Mobility Catalyst creating pathways to educational and workforce success for more than 3,300 students in the city. Focused on supporting Black, Brown, and first-generation-to-college youth from low-income communities, Heights pathways are the foundation of a more equitable and prosperous Philadelphia.
Through advising and enrichment, pathways to careers, partnerships, and a community of support, Heights is dedicated to helping young people navigate critical transitions in their academic journey. Leveraging micro and macro solutions, Heights works with businesses, schools, and colleges to increase total opportunity while simultaneously providing personal and individual support to Philly youth.
Heights is rooted in the bold vision that “all Philadelphia students graduate high school and achieve economic mobility through college and workforce success,” and is committed to breaking the cycle of generational poverty in the city. Learn more at www.heights.org
The Kauffman Foundation’s generous grant helps Great Jobs KC get closer to its $100M goal, supporting 50,000 Kansas City residents with job training and education.
Great Jobs KC Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Saint Mary partner with
The Kauffman Foundation’s generous grant helps Great Jobs KC get closer to its $100M goal, supporting 50,000 Kansas City residents with job training and education.
Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.
Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.
Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.
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If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE
As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships.
Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.
Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country. Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.
