Giving Back | Central Bank of Kansas City

Where Hope and Action Meet

The people that bank at our branches, the people who live in our communities — they’re people we see every day, and they’re why we do what we do. We understand what they need, deserve, and are capable of, and we invest in that.

We encourage economic stability and growth in our neighborhoods by financing buildings, creating jobs, and promoting financial literacy. Our staff members are deeply involved at a personal level. They volunteer to help kids read, support local nonprofits, host health fairs, and advocate for local businesses.

We’re a community bank for a reason - because we care about the people who live and work here.

See Impact in Action

Watch the stories that define our mission. In our video you’ll witness the life-changing impact of our initiatives. We hope it inspires you to join us in making Kansas City a happier, healthier place for everyone.

Investing in Limitless Potential

When you bank with Central Bank of Kansas City, you unleash the power of community. For 75 years, we've been more than just a bank. We've had a mission to foster economic stability and growth in our neighborhoods.

With your deposit, you enable us to support local businesses, provide affordable housing, and create opportunities for those who need it most. You’ll secure your financial future and contribute to the prosperity of Kansas City.

Our commitment to community economic development shines through our investments in local businesses, affordable housing, and financial literacy programs. We believe building strong communities happens through one-on-one, person-to-person action. It also takes thoughtful strategy and collaboration with our neighbors.

As part of our mission, we work with multiple organizations and businesses that improve life for everyone in our hometown, while still providing the personal service and financial solutions tailored just for you.

Nurturing Neighborhoods

We have a committee wholly dedicated to community development. At our monthly meetings, we discuss volunteering opportunities, fundraising drives, and sponsorships. Join us in recognizing the invaluable work of local nonprofits and collaborate in making a positive impact.

Lead to Read

Lead to Read is an organization that we love, because it gets KC kids excited about reading! It connects students in first through third grade in Kansas City elementary schools with trusted, caring adult volunteers who read with them to help improve their basic reading skills.

The reading mentors provide nearly 30,000 sessions of one-to-one reading support to over 1,600 students every school year. Currently we have seven bank staff reading each week to 2nd grade students at Garfield Elementary - some have been volunteering since the beginning of Lead to Read in 2011. Learn more about Lead to Read

Operation Breakthrough

We are committed to our partnership with Operation Breakthrough (OB). This includes supporting their New Markets Tax Credit Project, which helped establish Maker Spaces, teaching financial literacy to high school students, volunteering for clothing drives and events, and sponsoring their Big Dreams - Bright Futures event. We deeply admire OB's mission to create a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for children in poverty while empowering their families through advocacy, emergency assistance, and education.

Shark Tank Next Gen Competition

Central Bank of Kansas City created the Shark Tank Next Gen Competition in 2016, and 2026 marks our 11th annual event. Each year, more than 80 students from area high schools come together to test their creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial thinking.

Do your students have what it takes to solve a real-world problem with an innovative solution? On competition day, teams are presented with a problem and challenged to develop a product or service to address it. They build a business plan, prepare their pitch, and present their ideas to a distinguished panel of judges. First- and second-place teams are awarded in each room, and a new challenge is introduced every year to keep ideas fresh and forward-thinking.

We proudly partner with Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City to bring this experience to life. Year after year, students impress judges with their confidence, creativity, and bold ideas — proving that the next generation of entrepreneurs is already on the rise.

Northeast Chamber of Commerce

Our commitment to the neighborhood extends to strong support for the small businesses in the Northeast KC area through our involvement in the Northeast Chamber of Commerce. During monthly meetings, we explore ways to enhance our community, making it a vibrant place to live and work. A bank officer has been a member of the NE Chamber Board since its inception, and many bank officers actively participate on nonprofit boards and contribute to local charities, both individually and as part of our organization.

Financial Literacy Efforts

We are deeply committed to building strong financial futures for the next generation. In addition to Shark Tank Next Gen Competition, we support initiatives like Teach Kids to Save, sponsor the Banzai Finlit in schools, host elementary bank tours, and volunteer at Junior Achievement BizTown and the School of Economics. These long-standing efforts have contributed to our outstanding rating under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) since 1996.

We partner with nonprofits and community organizations to deliver practical, accessible financial education to those who need it most. From quarterly budgeting, credit, and savings sessions at Newhouse to workshops at Samuel U. Rodgers for new parents, our team meets people where they are. Our goal is to expand opportunity and strengthen financial stability across the communities we serve.

Help This City Thrive

Are you passionate about making Kansas City a more vibrant place to live, work and play? Are you or your organization eager to contribute to community economic development that fuels growth? Whether you’d like to volunteer, invest in community projects, or learn more about our initiatives, we'd love to connect with you.