KMR Group Foundation: Impacting Lives and Empowering Communities
Since its establishment nearly two decades ago, the KMR Group Foundation has been a potent force for positive change in underserved communities.
Founded by Vancouver-based philanthropists Kate Jones and Marty Rifkin, the Foundation’s mission is to offer equal access to healthcare, food, safety, and education both locally and worldwide.
The Foundation’s main areas of focus:
Youth & Children: The foundation serves disadvantaged children and families in their communities, believing that the potential to excel is inherent in every child. They aim to give children an equal opportunity for success and development by creating and sponsoring innovative programs and academic scholarships.
Community Giving: For almost 20 years, KMR has supported the underserved in Clark County, Washington. They have a strong commitment to their local community, investing in its future by supporting acts of compassion and providing scholarships to students in need.
Global Giving: The foundation provides humanitarian relief for women and children around the world. Through global giving efforts, they strive to uplift individuals and families who are in need, regardless of their location.
Education: KMR places a strong emphasis on the importance of education. They provide scholarships to high school seniors graduating from an accredited local high school with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and in need of financial assistance.
Food & Shelter: The foundation partners with other organizations to help those who struggle to meet their basic needs, including food and a safe, clean place to sleep.
Urgent Response: KMR provides rapid response when a disaster strikes, offering immediate assistance to crisis-affected communities. This could involve providing essential supplies, supporting rescue efforts, or contributing to rebuilding initiatives.
Investing in Education
One of the cornerstone efforts of the KMR Group Foundation is its scholarship program. This initiative provides financial assistance to high school seniors from accredited local schools who demonstrate academic promise with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and are in need of financial support. These students must be enrolled or planning to enroll in Clark College or Washington State University Vancouver.
The scholarships awarded range from $1,000 to $3,500 per school year and can be renewed for up to two years, demonstrating the Foundation’s commitment to the longevity of a student’s academic journey. In fact, the majority of KMR recipients receive $3,500, with their scholarships renewed for up to four years while they attend Clark or WSUV.
This robust support aims to reduce student debt and enhance the likelihood of recipients graduating and securing employment, reinforcing the Foundation’s belief in education as a key to uplifting individuals and families.
Global Humanitarian Efforts
Beyond its local community, the KMR Group Foundation extends its humanitarian relief efforts to women and children around the world. The Foundation provides assistance in various forms, from educational support to essential needs to numerous global communities.
Essential Pack Program
In addition to its scholarship and global giving initiatives, the KMR Group Foundation runs the Essential Pack Program. This initiative provides around 1,000 individuals with everyday necessities, such as toothpaste, shampoo, and socks, during the summer and holiday seasons.
The program also includes stuffed animals, coloring books, and crayons for young ones. This initiative is yet another testament to the Foundation’s commitment to improving the well-being of underserved individuals and families.
Conclusion
The KMR Group Foundation has made significant strides in its commitment to bolstering underserved communities, both locally and globally.
Its mission is to offer equal access to healthcare, food, safety, and education, focusing its efforts on supporting disadvantaged children and families and providing humanitarian relief for women and children worldwide.
