Charitable Contributions of Jacob and Ella Loose

In addition to acquiring this land for the purpose of creating a park, self-made millionaire and philanthropist Jacob Leander Loose and his wife Ella established a variety of charitable funds. In 1913, Jacob Loose started the endowment fund for Children’s Mercy Hospital. Two years later, he donated the largest flagpole to Swope Park. After WWI, the Loose family became an active supporter of the Liberty Memorial Association, which is today home to the National World War I Museum. Loose died on September 8, 1923, but even in death, his contributions to the city continued as his death established the Million Dollar Charity Fund Association which gave resources to people in need. 

Ella Loose also became a philanthropist with a particular interest in children, after losing two of her own as infants. She was a benefactor of Gillis Orphanage and established “Loose Shoe Day” in 1907, which provided a new pair of shoes and a $1 bill to the resident children. The special event was held for more than 30 years and extended to the WCA in 1927, in which the Loose family was a leading benefactor.

At age 60, Ella became “Kansas City’s No. 1 Society Dowager” and often traveled to Washington D.C. as part of an action plan to conquer capital society. On September 26, 1945, Ella passed away as the last member of the Loose family. The majority of the Loose estate was turned over to the Million Dollar Charity Fund Association. The Fund was renamed to the Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation in 1977 and helped launch the Greater Kansas City Community Fund, which now ranks in the top 1% of more than 700 community organizations nationwide. 

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