Alumni and Giving
Excellence for All
A note from Amanda Davis (MPA '07), chief advancement officer and president, UMKC Foundation:
A very special university
UMKC values accessibility but also offers incredible excellence — it’s a place where anyone can receive a set of rich experiences that will prepare them to do great things. With each passing year, I am bowled over by the progress we are making in delivering excellence in education, research, and public service to as many people as possible. I am incredibly proud to be a part of providing a pathway for anyone, regardless of their circumstances, to make extraordinary contributions to the future of Kansas City and the world beyond.
We probably have a few things in common. I am an alumna of UMKC and a direct beneficiary of what it has to offer. I would not have found my calling and been prepared to serve had it not been for this university. I am also a donor and am grateful to have the opportunity to give back to an institution that has given me so much.
Together, we are part of an extraordinary community. We are an engine of growth, innovation, and hope for our university and for thousands of students each year. Thank you for believing in UMKC and the bright future our students will create for us all.
The Feeling Is Mutual
Whether you've attended UMKC or have become a friend of UMKC along the way, you're a Roo. And if there's one thing we Roos have in common, it's that we love UMKC. A lot. So now it's our turn to let you know that we feel the same about you. Thank you for continuing to champion UMKC.
Get involved
Did you know that once you graduate from UMKC, you are an automatic member of the Alumni Association? The association brings together a growing network of UMKC graduates to make connections and celebrate milestones and achievements. We hope you'll stay in touch!
Give back
Want to support the unique mix of accessibility and excellence that is UMKC? The UMKC Foundation, an independent nonprofit, accepts gifts and bequests that support academic innovation and game-changing research, empowering students to dream bigger.
Once a Roo, Always a Roo
UMKC Roos are leaving their mark on the world and paving the way for future generations.
118,000+ active alumni
Want to find your old roommate? On second thought, maybe not. But we have ways to keep you connected to all things UMKC — no dues required, that is, unless you want an upgrade for product discounts and voting privileges.
A family of five foundations
Along with the UMKC Foundation, there are four additional 501(c)3 foundations at UMKC, including the Rinehart Foundation (School of Dentistry), the Pharmacy Foundation (School of Pharmacy), UMKC Law Foundation (School of Law) and UMKC Research Foundation.
$95.5M FY24 philanthropic impact
This number includes the gifts we raise each year as well as the funds coming from endowments established by previous generations of donors. Every gift to UMKC makes us a place of greater opportunity. You can make a difference now and in the future through giving to endowed funds. Planned gifts empower UMKC to continue investing in the growth of our students, the university and our community, today and far into the future.
For the vast majority of folks in Kansas City, we’re all recruiting at UMKC, all the business executives in this town, and so we should be giving back to UMKC.
Molly Higdon, CFA (MBA '91)
Director of Private Wealth Markets/Springfield and Kansas City, Simmons Bank and President, UMKC Alumni Association
Your Gifts in Action
Your generosity not only helps students pay for college; it opens doors to opportunity.
Your [generosity] has a tremendous impact on the quality of education for students like me who will use these facilities and technologies for years to come.
Jonathan Armijo
Doctor of Dental Surgery, Class of 2027
Your generosity ensures that students like me can transform education into meaningful, real-world impact and make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
Carrine Spinks (B.A. '22)
Master of Arts in Counseling, Class of 2025
Every student isn’t given the same privilege or access to the same resources. That’s where donors can come in and really make a difference.
Calvin Flemons
Doctor of Pharmacy, Class of 2025
A Lasting Legacy
To keep our commitment to being a transformational force, we must create spaces where students, faculty and staff can work together to change the world.
A new era for healthcare access
The six-story, 200,000-square-foot Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building, the university's largest capital investment to date, will enable the university to provide state-of-the-art education for the next generation of healthcare providers, find newer and better ways to serve patients in need, strengthen collaborations with surrounding neighborhoods and facilitate greater interdisciplinary partnerships to fuel innovation and research.
Student-centered success
UMKC is home to several nationally recognized academic support programs, such as Supplemental Instruction and First Gen Roo. These crucial programs will soon have a new home on the renovated student success space in the fourth floor of the Miller Nichols Library to provide for a more collaborative and effective delivery of services to meet the diverse needs of our students.
The power of the performing arts
The UMKC Conservatory is undergoing a renovation and expansion focused on hearing safety, updated technology, increased usable space and ADA compliance in the Olson Performing Arts Center. Philanthropy is making this much-needed project a reality.
Latest Headlines
UMKC Celebrates the Opening of Roo Plaza
15 Apr 2025 | The new campus spot will serve as a hangout space for students Read full story UMKC Celebrates the Opening of Roo Plaza
UMKC Celebrates May 2025 Commencement
11 Apr 2025 | Three community leaders will give Commencement addresses Read full story UMKC Celebrates May 2025 Commencement
Graduate Schools and Programs Named Top 100 in U.S. News & World Report Rankings
8 Apr 2025 | UMKC recognized for its excellence in law, nursing, education and medicine Read full story Graduate Schools and Programs Named Top 100 in U.S. News & World Report Rankings