Helping to Shape Kansas City Since 1964
The History of the Civic Council
Founded by a group of business CEOs, the Civic Council brings together its members' personal and corporate resources to address difficult, complex community challenges. Throughout its history, the Civic Council has given birth to significant initiatives that have contributed to the community’s economic growth and quality of life. Examples include creating a plan for redeveloping Kansas City’s downtown and growing the region's life sciences research and development. A hallmark of the Civic Council is its focus on long-term issues that are strategic and informed by research. Since 1964, the Council has spearheaded numerous vital community initiatives. We embrace complex challenges, historically relying on quiet leadership. However, our future endeavors prioritize transparency in collaborating with the community on economic, social, and political matters.
“Our Beginnings
Formed in the mid-1960s at the height of the civil rights era, we spend much of our early years helping the city navigate these issues.”
“Collaboration
Our work with regional leaders is used to develop the “Prime Time” initiative to sell KC, which evolve into the creation of the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)”
“Kansas City Tomorrow
We launch the Kansas City Tomorrow (KCT) business leadership program to develop the next generation of civic leaders.
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“Data-informed Policy
We commission a study recommending the creation of the Full Employment Council, which now administers federally-funded employment & training programs in KC.”
“Growth
Our organization expands and hires the first full-time staff person to accelerate Civic Council initiatives.”
“At the Forefront of Science
We fund the creation of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute, now BioNexus KC.
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“Revitalizing Downtown
We initiate the Sasaki Plan, a study that leads to the revitalization of downtown KC, and commission a second Sasaki plan in 2005 to examine the creation of downtown neighborhoods.”
“Investing in our Youth
We create PREP-KC, a nonprofit that connects high school students to engagement opportunities with business professionals and higher education faculty.”
“Heartland Civic Collaborative
The Heartland Civic Collaborative unites four Midwest metros – Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha and St. Louis – to collectively strengthen the Heartland’s competitiveness in the global economy.”
“KC Rising
Galvanized by the Prosperity at a Crossroads report (by Brookings Institution and Mid-America Regional Council) showing Kansas City being surpassed by several peer regions, the Civic Council becomes a founding partner and funder of the KC Rising initiative.”
“The Urban Neighborhood Initiative
In conjunction with United Way of Greater Kansas City, The Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI) is established as a Community Development Corporation (CDC) in 2016 to build healthy neighborhoods that enable all children and families to thrive.”
“Police reform and new recommendations
Following months of research, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Civic Council released three recommendations related to policing practices from the the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.
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“Bridging the Economic Divide
The Civic Council held Board Retreat, focusing on “Bridging the Economic Divide.” The event emphasized inclusive prosperity and established strategic priorities to address key regional challenges, including housing affordability and safe neighborhoods.
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“Vision for the Region
The 2024 Economic Playbook, developed with insights from Bruce Katz, outlines a strategic vision for the next decade, focusing on inclusive prosperity, regional competitiveness, and sustainable growth.
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