The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has announced a three-year, $4 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in support of the Kansas City Monuments Coalition.

Awarded through Mellon’s Monuments Projects to UMKC’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the grant will support the historical preservation projects of 16 community organizations as well as public programming in partnership with the Kansas City Public Library. The grant includes funding for two full-time UMKC staff positions and graduate students who will aid this effort.

“This transformative grant from the Mellon Foundation emphasizes the importance of inclusive storytelling and historical preservation” said UMKC vice chancellor for research and economic development Sumeet Dua. “The exceptional work of our UMKC faculty has been instrumental in securing this opportunity, showcasing their dedication to engaging with the community, and reshaping how history is represented and understood.”

For a complete list of monument projects supported by the grant, see the UMKC website.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Matthew Fowler)