The Law Foundation was incorporated in 1959 by outstanding alumni and leading citizens of Missouri, including Harry S. Truman, Charles E. Whittaker, H. Roe Bartle and other judges, lawyers, government officers and friends, to promote and advance the cause of legal education. The Law Foundation is a fiscally autonomous 501(c)(3) organization whose  purpose is to raise money and steward endowed funds for the benefit of UMKC School of Law.  Operating with its own board of trustees but working closely with the School of Law leadership to meet the long- and short-term financial needs of the school, the Law Foundation funds programs that are not met by other sources of revenue to the LawSchool. With the support of the Law Foundation, the school is able to sustain and cultivate diverse aspects of a superior education program.

The Law Foundation funds scholarships on an annual basis. In addition, it provides significant financial assistance for student competition participation; faculty development; library acquisitions and research materials; technology improvements; and the school's public communications program.

Over the years, the foundation and its many friends have successfully built an endowment of more than $5 million for the benefit of UMKC School of Law.