Minneapolis-based startup Kaleidoscope announced Jan. 15, 2026 the appointment of Travis Smith as chief executive officer alongside the launch of the Kaleidoscope Scholarship Fund, a newly formed 501(c)(3) public charity aimed at unlocking up to $1 billion in scholarship funding over time.
Minneapolis-based startup Kaleidoscope announced Jan. 15, 2026 the appointment of Travis Smith as chief executive officer alongside the launch of the Kaleidoscope Scholarship Fund, a newly formed 501(c)(3) public charity aimed at unlocking up to $1 billion in scholarship funding over time.
Smith, previously Kaleidoscope’s chief revenue officer, takes over as CEO as the company expands beyond its core software offering into a broader scholarship philanthropy ecosystem. Kaleidoscope operates a Full-Cycle Scholarship Platform that enables organizations to design, manage, and track scholarship programs from application through disbursement and long-term outcomes.
Former CEO Jason Von Bank has transitioned into the role of chair of the Kaleidoscope Scholarship Fund. The fund is designed to provide a turnkey charitable structure for corporations, foundations, families, and individuals that require 501(c)(3) status but do not want to establish or manage their own foundations. The fund will operate independently while using Kaleidoscope’s platform for program administration.
The new nonprofit initiative will focus on partnerships with corporate and private donors, with governance support from shared board members, including YMCA of the North President and CEO Glen Gunderson.
Kaleidoscope is backed by Minnesota-based venture capital firm Rally Ventures and serves organizations nationwide through its scholarship management technology.
Source: Read the full announcement from Kaleidoscope here: https://www.mykaleidoscope.com
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