The Journal, found online at klcjournal.com, is the nationally recognized magazine published by the Kansas Leadership Center in Wichita. The publication focuses on highlighting important civic leadership issues in Kansas and beyond through in-depth reporting, investigative journalism and innovative writing, graphic design, photography, multimedia and public discussions. The Journal is nonpartisan. It seeks to educate and inform readers about issues from multiple perspectives and it does not engage in advocacy.
In 2019, The Journal received the Sigma Delta Chi Award for Public Service in Local/Regional Magazine Journalism from the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Burton W. Marvin News Enterprise Award from the University of Kansas’ School of Journalism and the William Allen White Foundation.
Statement of Editorial Independence
The Journal subscribes to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News.
The Journal retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between coverage decisions and sources of all revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions.
We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our editorial judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.
The Journal may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but we maintain editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.
Our organization will make public all donors or grantors who give a total of $5,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN’s Membership Standards.
The Journal provides more details about its approach to journalism on its transparency and ethics page. We also offer further explanations about our policies for corrections and clarifications.

Current Major Donors
Current supporters that have contributed or granted at least $5,000 to The Journal and/or the Kansas Leadership Center are the following:
- Kansas Health Foundation
- Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
- Solutions Journalism Network
- The Wichita Foundation
- The Miami Foundation (via NewsMatch)









About the Kansas Leadership Center
The Kansas Leadership Center, publisher of The Journal, is a first-of-its-kind educational organization founded to foster leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous communities in Kansas. Its programs and teachings present leadership as an activity available to anyone at any time. KLC offers training for organizations, teams and individuals as well as advanced programs for leadership development practitioners. It provides development grants for civically oriented organizations in Kansas, partners with local community leadership programs and offers customized trainings for the business sector. KLC hosts civic leadership forums and encourages Kansans to take active part in public life for the common good. It receives core funding from the Kansas Health Foundation.
KLC Mission
To foster civic leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous communities in Kansas and beyond.
KLC Vision
To be the center of excellence for civic leadership development.
The Journal’s Role
To build a healthy 21st Century public square for all to lead.
How We Do It
–Provide trustworthy information that energizes civic engagement
-Help people understand areas of common ground as well as differences
-Perpetuate a culture of respect for differing viewpoints
-Shine a light on difficult civic challenges without fear or favor
-Highlight progress — and the people mobilizing it — when it occurs
-Explore when and why gaps between reality and aspiration persist
If you have questions or concerns, please write us at thejournal@kansasleadershipcenter.org.