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Country Club Plaza Launches the “Plaza Promise,” a Long-Term, Multi-Year Commitment to Community Impact Across Kansas City
June 23, 2026
Country Club Plaza Launches the “Plaza Promise,” a Long-Term, Multi-Year Commitment to Community Impact Across Kansas City
Member News

Kansas City, Missouri – (June 23, 2026) – Country Club Plaza is proud to announce the Plaza Promise, a strategic community investment initiative focused on creating lasting impact across Kansas City. Guided by the Plaza’s core value of creating inspiring places that enhance people’s lives, the Plaza Promise is a multi-year commitment focused on six key areas of impact designed to foster opportunity, improve quality of life, and create lasting benefits for generations to come.

“We’re here for the long-term and are committed to ensuring the Country Club Plaza positively impacts Kansas City,” said Chris Harren, Senior Vice President of Development at Gillon Property Group. “We see the Country Club Plaza as more than a shopping district. It’s a place where families build memories, young minds are inspired, our city shines, and where we collaborate to help address our community’s needs.”

The Plaza Promise:

  • Inspire young Kansas Citians by:
    • Partnering with ProX to offer meaningful internship opportunities for Kansas City high school students in summer 2027. Through this partnership, students will gain hands-on experience, explore career pathways, and build work-ready skills while contributing to real projects within our organization. An initial sponsorship of $7,500 kicks off this year’s collaboration, with future sponsorships totaling $22,500 over three years.
    • Committing to being a work-based learning partner through the Real World Learning Initiative.
  • Increasing access to arts education at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art through sponsorship of summer programs for Kansas City area youth.
  • Amplifying the impact of ArtsTech by providing needed supplies, hiring students to contribute to art installations, and dedicating a Plaza Art Fair booth to ArtsTech students to promote and sell their artwork.
  • Strengthen connections with local arts institutions through the “Arterie.”
  • Further public safety through a $10,000 initial investment in the Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Program (IPVI), with future sponsorships totaling at least $30,000 over three years, and an ongoing partnership with the Metropolitan Organization Countering Sexual Assault (MOCSA). Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Country Club Plaza businesses and restaurants participated in MOCSA’s SAFE Training to recognize warning signs and safely intervene in situations involving non-consensual behavior. Through community events such as the seasonal Shopping Strolls, Country Club Plaza also supports MOCSA’s mission by providing opportunities to share educational resources, engage families through children’s activities, and raise awareness about preventing sexual violence.
  • Accelerate housing equity through $5,000 / unit contributions from new residential developments, potentially totaling more than $4M over the full buildout timeline and approved density. Additionally, Country Club Plaza will provide $10,000 in seed funding this year to the Headed Home program, a new AFL-CIO program providing downpayment assistance for working families. Future contributions to the Headed Home program will also be made at a rate of $250 per residential unit, potentially totaling as much as $50,000 per residential project added to Country Club Plaza.
  • Invest in the local workforce through the Missouri Works Apprenticeship Program
  • Promote Kansas City pride with a new 816 Day celebration every


“My office has seen an increase in cases involving intimate partner violence, which is one of the most dangerous and complex kinds of cases our office works on each day. Through the IPVI program, we can interrupt this behavior and prevent tragic escalations. Country Club Plaza’s contribution will help ensure all public safety stakeholders have what they need to break the cycle of violence in our community,” said Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

“The Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council fully supports the Plaza Promise and looks forward to our men and women building the future of the Country Club Plaza. We believe the Plaza’s approach is a positive force in the city and we appreciate the long-term commitment, in partnership, to the development of our future union workforce that will have a direct positive contribution to the local Kansas City economy,” said Ralph Oropeza, Business Manager for Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades.

“The Plaza Promise is the gold standard for how developers should impact this city. Country Club Plaza has been thoughtful and deliberative in its approach to positively impacting Kansas City by supporting the local workforce, our youth, the arts, housing equity, and civic pride. The AFL-CIO is proud to work side-by-side with the Plaza to jumpstart the new chapter for this Crown Jewel,” said Duke Dujakovich, President of the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO.

“This investment into the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program will help us provide earlier intervention, accountability, and coordinated support services across our city. This type of collaboration with Country Club Plaza is precisely the business community support we need to save lives,” said Tye Grant, President and CEO of the Police Foundation of Kansas City.

“We are excited to partner with Country Club Plaza to expand access to high-quality professional experiences for Kansas City youth in summer 2027,” said Solissa Franco-McKay, Executive Director of ProX. “When local organizations open their doors to students, they help young people see what is possible for their futures while also investing in the next generation of talent and leadership for our region.”

“Country Club Plaza leadership consistently demonstrates how deeply they value the community,” said Ursula Terrasi, founder and owner of longtime Plaza business Terrasi Living & Scandia Home. “Their commitment is reflected not only in the support they provide to impactful organizations like the Truman Library, MOCSA, and United Way, but also in the care they show for cherished Plaza traditions such as the Plaza Art Fair and the Plaza Lighting Ceremony.”

“Being part of the Country Club Plaza community means so much to me as a local business owner,” said Deserae Minor, owner of KC Style Haus, located on the Plaza. “It’s incredibly rewarding to work with a group that not only champions its tenants but also invests in the broader community. As a small boutique, that continued support is invaluable, and it’s exciting to see fellow local businesses like Faire du Bien and MERSEA become part of the neighborhood as well.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Country Club Plaza. This collaboration creates meaningful opportunities for our students to experience the arts beyond the classroom, from participating in programs at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to showcasing their creativity through public art displays on the Plaza,” said Tru-Kechia Smith, Executive Director of ArtsTech. These experiences help our young artists build confidence, connect with the community, and see the value of their voices and talents. We are grateful for the Plaza’s investment in our students and are excited to work together to inspire the next generation of creative leaders.”

“Country Club Plaza has been a valuable partner in helping MOCSA reach more people across our community,” said Brandy Williams, Director of Education at MOCSA. “From increasing awareness through the Holiday/Spring Market and Shopping Strolls to supporting prevention and education through the SAFE Training Program, this partnership is helping create safer, stronger communities. We are proud to be part of the Plaza Promise and its vision for lasting community impact.”

About Country Club Plaza:

The Country Club Plaza originally opened in 1923 as one of the nation’s first thoughtfully planned suburban shopping districts, setting a new standard for mixed-use development and experiential retail. Designed by prominent architect Edward Delk in Baroque Revival and Moorish Revival styles inspired by the architecture of Seville, Spain — one of Kansas City’s sister cities — the Plaza remains one of the city’s most iconic destinations. Today, the historic 15-block, one million-square-foot mixed-use property sits in the heart of Kansas City and features a curated collection of unique-to-market tenants. The Plaza offers a dynamic mix of retailers including ALO, Anthropologie, Apple, Coach, Free People, J. Crew, J.H. & Son’s, LoveShackFancy, Lululemon, MERSEA, Perch, Sephora, TIVOL, Tumi, Warby Parker, and West Elm. In addition, there are more than 25 dining options including Gram & Dun, Jack Stack Barbecue, Rye, The Capital Grille, and True Food Kitchen.