Description

Data centers are a hot topic throughout Missouri-- and the Midwest. Midwestern communities are powering the future of artificial intelligence and cloud computing though the exponential growth of data center operations. Missouri has at least 61 data centers operated by 32 providers. These infrastructure investments have impacts on economic and environmental resources that are not always well understood or anticipated.

We are kicking off the Midwest Partnership's 2026 Webinar Series with a fact-based primer on what data centers are, their function, and implications for communities. 

Please join us for this lunch-hour webinar to become better-informed partners working to drive effective decision-making and strategy development within your community. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

✅ Fact-based insights on the topic of data center operations and implications on communities; and

✅ Questions to ask to understand the benefits and drawbacks of data centers for your region. 

Guest SPEAKERS

Kate E. Stoll is Project Director for the Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The EPI Center builds trusted relationships between experts and decision makers at all levels of government to make it easier for policymakers to access and incorporate scientific evidence into their decision-making processes. 

Kate served as Senior Policy Advisor at the MIT Washington Office from 2014 to 2022. Prior to MIT, she served as a Congressional Fellow with the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. From 2011 to 2013 Kate was an AAAS S&T Policy Fellow at the National Science Foundation.

Kate served as Chair of the AAAS Committee on Science and Engineering in Public Policy in 2022 and as a member of the Board of Higher Education and Workforce at the National Academies from 2019-2025. 

She received a B.A. in Biochemistry from Reed College in Portland, Oregon in 2004, and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2010.

About the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Formed in 1848, the AAAS was the first permanent organization formed to promote the development of science and engineering in the United States. Today, it is one of the world's largest multidisciplinary scientific societies with members in more than 91 countries. AAAS seeks to advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the work for the benefit of all. Learn more about the strategic purpose and history of AAAS here.

Audience & Registration

Our colleagues at Philanthropy Ohio are hosting this Midwest Partnership webinar,  which has been designed with all types of grantmakers in mind: we encourage all foundation staff and trustees to seek to understand this emerging issue. Place-based, health-focused, and environment-focused funders may find it particularly beneficial to gain insight into the resource implications of data center operations. 

PhilMO Members may participate for free. If this is your first interaction with the new PhilMO website, choose “Create New Account” when registering. 

Non-Member Missouri grantmakers may participate for a fee of $75. Non-Members should choose “Non-Member Funder” to register and submit payment.

If you encounter any challenges registering for this program or otherwise navigating the new website, help is available by contacting info@philmo.org. 

What is the Midwest Partnership?

The Midwest Partnership is a collaboration between the Council of Michigan Foundations, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, Philanthropy Missouri, and Philanthropy Ohio. 

The Midwest Partnership publishes an annual Midwest Grantmaker Salary Report and hosts joint programs, including monthly webinars connecting funders across the four states. Webinars are typically designed for community foundations, corporate foundations and giving programs, and/or family foundations. Occasionally, a program -- like this one! -- will be relevant to all foundation types. Regardless of focus, all foundation types may register for any program. 

Participation in webinars and access to the annual Salary Report is free for Member organizations. Non-Member Missouri grantmakers may not access the report but occasionally may register for webinars by contributing a $75 fee.