It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Frank Kirk, a dedicated YMCA of Greater Kansas City board member and former Chief Volunteer Officer, on Saturday, September 7.

Frank’s remarkable journey with the YMCA began in 1988 when he joined the Board of Directors. Over the past 36 years, his leadership in annual, endowment, and capital fundraising campaigns helped raise millions of dollars, fueling the YMCA’s mission of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. His impact was immeasurable.

Frank played a pivotal role in the capital campaigns that led to the creation of the Cleaver Family YMCA (2006), the renovation and expansion of the Linwood Family YMCA (2018), and the development of the Kirk Family YMCA (2021) in downtown Kansas City, MO.

The Kirk family’s legacy of service, with Frank at its helm, is deeply rooted in the philosophy his father, Jim Kirk, championed: "Put back more into the community than you take out." Jim Kirk, known for his iconic YMCA Christmas tree sale fundraiser in the 1950s, established the Y’s endowment program—a tradition that Frank and his brothers, Phil and Mike, proudly continued. From a young age, the Kirk brothers helped sell Christmas trees at the Southtown Y to support the YMCA’s work with youth.

A longtime member of the Paul Henson Family YMCA in Prairie Village, Frank embodied leadership, generosity, and a steadfast commitment to making Kansas City a better place for future generations.

I was fortunate to share many memorable moments with Frank over the years. My favorite is from October 14, 2021, when we celebrated the opening of the Kirk Family YMCA. I asked Frank to cross his arms and lean stylishly against the monument with me, which resulted in the photo above. We laughed and high fived afterward. 

Frank Kirk was a true force for good, and his dedication to the YMCA positively impacted countless lives, including mine.

Read more about the life of Frank Kirk in his obituary. 

Mark Hulet
President and CEO
YMCA of Greater Kansas City