KANSAS CITY, MO — Great Jobs KC is proud to announce a transformative three-year, $3,845,500 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. This generous investment will allow Great Jobs KC to expand its proven tuition-free skills training and support model beyond the Kansas City metropolitan area and into Ford County, Kansas, and Nodaway County, Missouri as Great Jobs.

The expansion marks a major milestone in Great Jobs KC’s mission to help 50,000 residents secure family-sustaining careers by 2032. By moving into these rural regions, the organization will provide adults with access to high-demand technical training in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and CDL; industries that are vital to the economic health of rural communities.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Patterson Family Foundation for their belief in our mission and their commitment to rural prosperity,” said Earl Martin Phalen, CEO of Great Jobs KC. “A great job shouldn’t depend on your zip code. This funding allows us to bring life-changing training and wraparound support services to hardworking individuals in Ford and Nodaway counties, helping them build better futures for their families and their local economies.”

The Patterson Family Foundation is dedicated to helping rural communities thrive by supporting education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. This partnership leverages Great Jobs KC’s expertise in removing barriers to employment—such as tuition costs, transportation, and childcare—to meet the specific labor needs of Western Kansas and Northwest Missouri.

The Great Jobs expansion program will provide:

• Tuition-Free Certification: Rapid training programs in high-growth
• Dedicated Scholar Advocates: Personalized coaching to help participants navigate training and the job search process.
• Supportive Services: Access to assistance for “barrier-removal” needs like tools, uniforms, and transportation.
• Employer Connections: Direct pipelines to local businesses in Dodge City (Ford County) and Maryville (Nodaway County).
  
  

Maria Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Patterson Family Foundation, shared her thoughts on the Foundation’s support for this expanded workforce program. “The Patterson Family Foundation is excited to fund Great Jobs KC as part of their work in bringing new workforce solutions to rural communities. We know that thriving rural communities are comprised of diversified industries and employment opportunities, and the work that Great Jobs is doing will bring new workforce skills to residents living in rural Kansas and western Missouri. The Foundation looks forward to seeing the impact of Great Jobs’ work in rural communities as we work together to help rural communities thrive.”

About Great Jobs KC

Great Jobs KC, a 501(c)(3) organization, drives regional economic stability and mobility by ensuring low- and modest-income individuals achieve family-sustaining careers. Our programs prepare the future workforce through two core pathways: college scholarships (up to $50,000) and tuition-free training in high-demand fields. We ensure success by providing one-to-one support for every participant, from enrollment through their first year of employment. greatjobskc.org

About The Patterson Family Foundation

The Patterson Family Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a private family foundation that extends the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. The Foundation’s mission, “Working together to help rural communities thrive,” is carried forward through strategic grantmaking and other collaborative initiatives that serve rural counties of fewer than 50,000 residents across Kansas and western Missouri. For more information, visit pattersonfamilyfoundation.org