Hi, Chad Grittman, nice to meet you

I grew up in Oak Grove, Missouri—a small town just east of the city—so I’ve always known the value of a close-knit community, all while being directly influenced by the “big city” nearby.

My background is primarily in nonprofit work, with a bit of business along the way. I started my career as a social worker, then a minister, while dually working around community development and social services work. Fundraising has always been a key component of what I do, casting vision for people to invest in a cause or a mission bigger than themselves.

On the side, I’ve spent years coaching nonprofits to build stronger strategies and tell their stories better. Today, I work as Vice President of a life sciences agency that focuses on economic development and building up Kansas City’s healthcare and innovation ecosystem.

I’ve called a few parts of Kansas City home—I've lived in the 5th District (right off 87th Street!), owned a home in South Hyde Park in the 4th District, and for the past two years, I’ve been living in the 6th District: right in the heart of Waldo.

Each neighborhood has shaped how I think about city life—what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s possible.