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The $1.5 Billion Ripple Effect: Why Workforce Development is KC’s Best Investment

Great Jobs KC

A man gives a presentation in a classroom. Overlay text reads: "Investing in KC's Potential: Why Workforce Development and 11th-grade college scholarships are the Best Investments.

Imagine the transformation of moving from a cycle of low-wage employment to a dependable, family-sustaining salary of $45,000+.

For an individual, this is more than just a paycheck; it is the foundation of dignity, stability, and future-readiness. That’s a game-changer. Suddenly, life feels more stable. There’s dignity, a direction, a sense that progress isn’t just possible; it’s achievable. For Kansas City, the impact goes way beyond one person. When we empower thousands of our neighbors to achieve this level of financial sustainability, we create a ripple effect that strengthens our regional economy. 

Investing in KC’s Human Potential

We believe that high-quality workforce development is Kansas City’s most strategic investment. If we get 50,000 Kansas Citians into great jobs by 2032 with an average salary increase of $30,000 a year, that equals $1.5 billion in increased income fueling Kansas City’s economy. The benefits extend beyond spending. Bigger paychecks can make homeownership possible. When more people buy homes instead of renting, neighborhoods get stronger. Families start building equity. Local schools, businesses, and even city services benefit because stable homeowners invest in their community. 

Our Programs Believe in a Holistic Approach

Great Jobs KC programs go beyond just tuition assistance and basic job placement. We provide a holistic approach to success—covering tuition, offering personalized career coaching, and delivering the wraparound support necessary for adults to thrive in high-growth, high-demand sectors like healthcare, IT, and advanced manufacturing. These are not stopgap measures; they are pathways to career-aligned training and long-term economic growth.

Beyond the Numbers: Community Impact

This ripple effect reaches into every corner of our community:

  • Neighborhood Stabilization: Increased income makes homeownership accessible, helping families build equity and fostering deeper roots in our neighborhoods.
  • Economic Self-Sufficiency: As more individuals achieve living-wage employment, the reliance on public assistance diminishes, freeing up critical public resources for other community-wide needs.
  • Fiscal Growth: A robust workforce drives stronger local businesses and increases tax revenue, creating a more sustainable system for everyone.

How You Can Partner with Great Jobs KC

For partners, donors, and employers looking for meaningful ways to drive economic development in Kansas City, this is the time to reach out. Your investment does more than “help”—it breaks down systemic barriers to education and employment. Whether you are funding tuition, sponsoring career mentorship programs, or providing scholar support resources, your contribution creates a measurable, sustainable change.

Kansas City is overflowing with untapped talent. Great Jobs KC serves as the bridge between that potential and real-world opportunity. The question is not whether workforce development works—the data shows it is the most effective tool we have for wealth creation and poverty alleviation. The real question is: are we willing to invest at the scale our city deserves?

Join us in building a future where every Kansas Citian has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we don’t just change individual lives; we transform the economic landscape of Kansas City for generations to come.

The time to act is now.

 

 

About Great Jobs KC

Great Jobs KC is a Kansas City-based nonprofit that provides access to college scholarships and tuition-free job training, along with job placement assistance for young people from low- and modest-income families in the metropolitan area, providing a pipeline of talent for a strong regional workforce. Please join us on our mission for economic independence for all. For more information, visit www.greatjobskc.org.

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Stephanie underwood - Chief financial Officer

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.

 

 

 

Adult Learner College Scholarship

The Adult Learner Scholarship application is closed. Please click GET STARTED to be added to communication reminders on when to apply during the next open cycle.

Program offers:

  • Up to $25,000 paid directly to the college over the course of up to six years.
  • Once awarded, the Scholar can enroll full or part-time the fall semester following awarding.
  • Scholarship can be used at any of our college partners. See our current list of partners HERE.
  • Scholarship can be used towards an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a credit-bearing credential. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be a high school graduate or GED holder (24 years or older).
  • Live in one of the six eligible counties. (Kansas: Wyandotte, Johnson; Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte)
  • Be income eligible. (FASFA Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less)
  • Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Have not previously been awarded a KC Scholars Scholarship (Traditional or Adult Learner).
  • Is not currently enrolled in a Great Jobs KC Skills Training Program.
  • US Citizenship/Residency is not required to apply.

If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE

GET STARTED

Jimmy Swift - Chief Operating Officer

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.

Great Jobs KC
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