Kansas City Athletics Unveils ROOS UNITED as Central Philanthropic Giving Portal
9/16/2025 9:00:00 AM | General, Development, External Operations, Strategic Communications, Administration, Athletics
Kansas City’s philanthropic giving arm will be restructured to adapt to the evolving landscape of college athletics
KANSAS CITY (Sep. 16, 2025) — The rapidly changing landscape of college athletics continues to require adaptive, innovative and courageous change. Due to this new competitive environment, Kansas City Athletics is launching ROOS UNITED as the central vehicle for all philanthropic giving.
"Kansas City Athletics stands ready, not just to adapt, but to be at the vanguard of success," Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Dr. Brandon Martin said. "We are uniquely positioned to achieve unprecedented success, and I'm proud to launch ROOS UNITED and our corresponding revamped Roo Athletic Fund at the cornerstone of that vision."
ROOS UNITED will allow contributors to greater specify the way in which their donations will be employed. Formerly, athletics giving membership was solely based upon investment to the unrestricted Roo Athletic Fund (RAF). Now, in addition to the RAF, investments can be allocated to a specific sport program or the True Blue Fund dedicated to supporting Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).
As part of the restructuring of the Roo Athletic Fund, Kansas City Athletics is also reimagining the benefits of becoming a RAF member. Beginning at just $19.68 (representative of the first year of intercollegiate athletics at UMKC), membership will be tiered into six different levels based upon the totality of annual giving. Benefits include: access to exclusive e-newsletters, discounts on KC Roos gear, VIP invitations to exclusive events, alumni benefits, team/coach access and other campus offerings. Donations can even be divided into monthly payments across the year, making the process easy and accessible for all.
"We are calling on our alumni, fans and loyal supporters - the heart of Kansas City Athletics - to fuel the continued elevation of Kansas City's College Team," Martin said. "Every gift matters. The more you contribute, the greater your impact on our student-athletes and opportunities for competitive excellence.
Contributions to ROOS UNITED can be made today! Join now to help bolster the future of Kansas City Athletics and invest in the success of the student-athletes that make it all possible. Donations can be made online at kcroos.com/donate or via check made to RAC c/o Kansas City Athletics, 5000 Holmes St., Kansas City, MO 64110. For more information, call (816) 889-8758 or email athletics@umkc.edu.