What is LINC?
Greater KC LINC, INC, a 501(c)3 non-profit, known commonly as the Local Investment Commission (LINC), is a citizen-driven collaborative that localizes state of Missouri resources and programs to improve the lives of children and families in the Kansas City region.
LINC works primarily through its 53 Caring Communities sites in partnership with seven public school districts.
LINC’s Caring Communities join neighborhoods and government agencies in a unified effort that makes better students, stronger families and healthier communities.
Other LINC initiatives include senior support services, job training for families on government assistance, childcare training, and transitional and mentoring programs for foster youth.
Our Vision
A caring community that builds on its strengths to provide meaningful opportunities for children, families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency, attain their highest potential, and contribute to the public good.
Our Mission
To provide leadership and influence to engage the Kansas City Community in creating the best service delivery system to support and strengthen children, families and individuals, holding that system accountable, and changing public attitudes towards the system.
Watch our latest video describing our work and philosophy.
Core Results
LINC’s work is organized around achieving results in these nine core areas:
LINC Commissioners and professional cabinet members talk about the history of LINC and its impact on families and communities.
Adults working
Children and youth succeeding in school
Healthy children and families
Young children ready to enter school
Children safe in their families and families safe in their communities
Youth prepared for productive adulthood
Elders and people with disabilities valued and living as they choose
Well-informed citizens making decisions about their communities
Strong, thriving neighborhoods
LINC’s work is performed according to our 15 Guiding Principles.
How we do it — LINC by the numbers
* Caring Communities Before- and After-school Programming
Total number of students served: 7,624
Total students served by school district: Kansas City Public Schools, 3,860; Hickman Mills School District, 1,780; Grandview School District, 1,220; Center School District, 420; Lee A. Tolbert Charter School, 220; North Kansas City School District, 140.
Student demographics: 65% Black, 18% Hispanic, 10% White, 1% Asian, 6% other.
Rate of LINC students maintaining or increasing academic proficiency: Reading, 66.8%; Math 66.8%; Science, 61.4%
Family cost per child each year: LINC families, $0; national average for low income families, $1,722
* LINCWorks for families in the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SkillUP programs
Counties served: Jackson, Clay, Platte, Ray, and Cass
Average number of individuals served: 1,300
Services include: Help with transportation, education expenses, work-related expenses and legal barriers
Go to our Infographics page to learn more about LINC’s impact
* Positive transition programs for youth in state social services
Average number of cases: 450
Cases by community: 56% Kansas City, 11% Independence, 7% Grandview, 6% Raytown, 6% Lee’s Summit, 6% Blue Springs, 8% others
Cases by agency: Foster youth, 407; Youth in the Missouri Division of Youth Services court system, 43
Youth demographics: 42% White, 38% Black, 4% Hispanic; 2% Multi-Racial; 14% others.
Outcomes: Youth attending school, 211; youth employed, 94; youth receiving diploma or GED: 63
* Star School online statewide program for the Missouri Division of Youth Services
Number of students served since 2013: 633
Number of contracted teachers: 19
Outcomes: students returning to public or post-secondary school, 157; students earning diploma or GED, 96.
* And much more. Other LINC initiatives include work in the areas of health clinics and services, food and emergency assistance, adult literacy, parenting classes, prevention of child abuse and neglect, elder services, home improvement, neighborhood development, obesity prevention, character development, children arts programming, community prisoner reentry, mental health services, foreclosure counseling, community organizing, black history and chess.
Year LINC was founded: 1992
Number of volunteers: more than 2,100
Watch the first video about LINC from 1996. "A Quiet Revolution"
LINC's administrative offices are located at:
3100 Broadway, Suite 1100
Kansas City, MO 64111
Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. Our phone number is (816) 889-5050.