Our Founder’s Story

The SkillBuilders Fund was created in 1983 by the late Marjorie Powell Allen, a civic leader and philanthropist, who championed women’s causes and education, as well as many other community-building activities.

Mrs. Allen was a woman of great vision who could identify a need and quickly find a way to meet it. She was an active and articulate proponent of “women helping women.” Much of her thought and energy was devoted to improving their lives as evidenced by her role as a founder of the Central Exchange, the Women’s Employment Network of Kansas City, and the Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City.

Mrs. Allen was a pioneer, a motivator of people, who led with contagious enthusiasm and encouraged others to take risks and broaden their horizons.

The SkillBuilders Fund seeks to continue its founder’s work by providing opportunities for women to be the best they can be.

Founder’s Daughters Barbara P. Allen (left) Deborah J. Allen (right)