Kansas City, Mo. — Crux KC, Kansas City’s marketing “un-agency,” has selected The Prospect KC as the recipient of its 2025 Crux for a Cause program, providing $50,000 in pro-bono marketing services to the Kansas City nonprofit in the program’s sixth year.
“Each year, we have the distinct honor of meeting and learning about so many of Kansas City’s incredible nonprofit organizations. This year was no exception, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with The Prospect KC,” said Founder & CEO Melea McRae. “Our team was moved by the work they’re doing to improve food access, teach culinary skills and prepare others for successful careers in the food and hospitality industry, and we can’t wait to see how our fractional model can amplify The Prospect KC’s mission, brand and reputation.”
The Prospect KC is a nonprofit social enterprise founded in 2019 by award-winning professional chef, Kansas City native and community activist Shanita McAfee-Bryant. The organization offers programs designed to address food access, nutrition education and culinary job training in Kansas City’s Eastside neighborhoods. It also provides comprehensive support services through a robust network of social service partnerships offering food assistance, housing, childcare, transportation and job skills training.
“We are incredibly grateful to be selected as Crux’s 2025 pro-bono marketing recipient,” said McAffee-Bryant, founder and executive director of The Prospect KC. “This opportunity comes at a pivotal time for The Prospect KC as we merge with Nourish KC Community Kitchen to create a stronger, unified force against food insecurity in our community.”
The Prospect KC serves the community through its four major programs:
- Food Access: The Nourish KC community kitchen prepares fresh, nutritious meals daily using rescued food from partners like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. The Daily Pantry offers essential items—dry goods, canned foods, and fresh produce—empowering families to prepare healthy meals at home.
- Nutritional Literacy: The Nourish U platform offers online cooking classes, live demonstrations, and instructional videos to teach individuals how to prepare healthy meals using commonly available ingredients.
- Workforce Development: The 16-week Culinary Futures program combines hands-on training with coursework accredited through Missouri Community College, providing participants with culinary skills and college credits. Our program integrates support services, including job placement, financial literacy workshops, and mental health resources to promote long-term success and stability.
- Employment-Focused Social Enterprises: Training program graduates can continue their career journeys through the organization’s employment-focused social enterprises, the Prospect KC Catering, The Nook Coffee Shop and The Benton Bed and Breakfast.
Since the Crux for a Cause program began in 2020, the un-agency has served a wide range of nonprofit organizations based in Kansas City, including People of All Color Succeed, KC Shepherd’s Center, Kanbe’s Markets, What if Puppets, and, most recently, WeCode KC and CAPA in 2024.
Crux is a team of 45 serving an active roster of more than 60 client partners. The “un-agency” is a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree, a three-time Ingram’s Corporate Report 100 nominee, a two-time Kansas City Business Journal Champion of Business and Fast 50 company, and a three-time Greater KC Chamber of Commerce Top 10 Small Business. Crux’s work for nonprofits has earned numerous awards, including Nonprofit Connect Philly Awards and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) PRISM awards.
“This partnership with Crux will allow us to amplify our message, engage more deeply with those we serve, and strengthen our relationships with donors and volunteers,” McAfee-Bryant said. “Together, we can tell our story in a way that inspires greater impact and builds a more resilient Kansas City.”
Learn more about Crux for a Cause and the company’s commitment to the Kansas City community.
About Crux KC
Crux is the “un-agency,” a radical rethink of what marketing can and should be. Our fractional CMOs, surrounded by a squad of specialists, focus on what truly drives a business forward – a high-performance machine built for branding, messaging, content, communications, digital marketing and paid media – to elevate brands and amplify missions and fuel growth. Crux delivers everything you need, nothing you don’t. Growth, simplified. Learn more at cruxkc.com.
About The Prospect KC
Founded in 2019, The Prospect KC is a nonprofit social enterprise that offers programs to address food access, nutrition education, and culinary and hospitality workforce development in Kansas City’s Eastside. The Prospect KC operates multiple businesses that give program graduates the opportunity to put their skills to use as full-time employees and provides a robust network of social service partnerships offering food assistance, housing, childcare, transportation and further job skills training. Learn more at theprospectkc.org.
