Kim Harbur ’79 Honored with AFPKC Spirit of Philanthropy award for lifesaving advocacy
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Kansas City Chapter (AFPKC) honored Kim Harbur ’79, co-founder of Gift of Life, with the 2025 Spirit of Philanthropy Award, recognizing her extraordinary leadership in advancing organ, eye, and tissue donation education and advocacy.
Since launching Gift of Life in 1998, Kim has transformed the landscape of donation awareness through programs that inspire action and foster hope including the Life Savers initiative educating more than 500,000 high school students and families, sparking conversations that lead to lifesaving decisions. Through the Transplant Mentors program over 1,200 patients awaiting transplants have been paired with trained mentors who understand their journey firsthand.
Kim’s influence reaches far beyond Kansas City. She has served on national boards including the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), championing equitable organ allocation policies and advocating for children in need of transplants. Her leadership has helped Kansas City achieve some of the nation’s highest donation and conversion rates.
Jody C. Olson, M.D., FACP, FCCM, Senior Associate Consultant at Mayo Clinic, added:
“Gift of Life has been instrumental in promoting organ donation in Kansas City with tangible results. In 2024, over 1,000 life-saving organs originated from this region—an achievement few other regions match. This success translates directly into lives saved and is a direct result of Gift of Life’s work educating the community and supporting patients.”
“What I admire most is that Kim transforms gratitude into action,” said Shara Brice, Executive Director of Gift of Life. “She takes the gift her family received and multiplies it—giving hope, education, and life-changing connections to thousands of families. Her leadership is a model of how one person’s vision can ripple outward to change countless lives.”
Kim Harbur’s tireless advocacy has saved lives, comforted families, and educated countless individuals. This award celebrates her enduring legacy and positions Gift of Life for a future of continued innovation and impact.
About Gift of Life
Gift of Life is a Kansas City-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting organ, eye, and tissue donation through education and mentoring. Learn more at www.giftdonor.org.
