Foundations that fund organizations in Merriam, Kansas
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Merriam nonprofits
39 private foundations gave $1.6M to Merriam organizations in their latest filings; 21 of the 39 that say either way accept applications.
47 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Merriam around $3,000. 16 of these funders are based in Kansas; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 39
- Accept applications
- 21
- of 39 that state a policy
- Dollars to Merriam
- $1.6M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 47
- Typical median grant
- $3,000
- Based in KS
- 41%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Merriam organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation | Kansas City, MO | 4 | $501K | $125K | Yes | Support to build capacity for leadership development, deib…; Support to build capacity for strategic planning related to…; Support for 2024 general operating expenses. 202402-14751 |
| The Quinn Foundation | Leawood, KS | 1 | $282K | $282K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| Wm and Margaret Schreiber Char Tr | Pennington, NJ | 2 | $155K | $78K | Preselected only | Unrestricted general |
| Wk Kellogg Foundation | Battle Creek, MI | 1 | $125K | $125K | Yes | Early Care and Education |
| Wyandotte Health Foundation | Kansas City, KS | 1 | $85K | $85K | Yes | Primary care safety net grant for direct clinical services |
| Annette & Sam & Jack Swirnberg Charitable | Dallas, TX | 1 | $85K | $85K | Yes | Grant for nicu equipment |
| Olivia Bloomfield Foundation | Leawood, KS | 2 | $82K | $41K | Yes | Donation for annual fundraiser for be smith center; Shine memorial project |
| Taylor & Patti Abernathy Charitable Trust | Dallas, TX | 1 | $60K | $60K | Yes | Unrestricted general |
| Gill Foundation | Denver, CO | 1 | $35K | $35K | Yes | Project support for lgbtq issues |
| Kearney Wornall Foundation 10017900 | Kansas City, MO | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | General operating support |
| Fish Ministries | Longview, WA | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | Ministry support |
| G Kenneth and Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund | Stilwell, KS | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | To fund various program activities |
| V & H Charitable Foundation | Overland Park, KS | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Community building |
| W J Brace Charitable Trust | Dallas, TX | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | Strengthening health access |
| Castetter Johnson Family Foundation | North Kansas City, MO | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Community assistance programs |
| The Lordi Marker Family Foundation | Kansas City, MO | 1 | $8,000 | $8,000 | Yes | Operations |
| Cocherl Family Foundation | Leawood, KS | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Support organization mission |
| The Gould Charitable Foundation C/O Choate Hall & Stewart Llp | Boston, MA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Menstrual product distribution |
| Ruth a McDaniel Animal Welfare Fund | Dallas, TX | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Spay & neuter pets of low |
| Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation | Kansas City, MO | 2 | $3,300 | $1,650 | Yes | Matching gift |
| Miller-Mellor Association | Prairie Village, KS | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Educational, cultural & other organizations (see attached s… |
| The Shumaker Family Foundation | Prairie Village, KS | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Operating Grant |
| Breidenthal-Snyder Foundation Inc | Prairie Village, KS | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Animal rescue |
| Muchnic Foundation | Atchison, KS | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Preselected only | Sheltering and veterinary care |
| George & Ada Ultch Memorial Fund | Kansas City, MO | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Preselected only | Used at the discretion of the board of directors or trustee… |
| Commerce Bancshares Foundation | Kansas City, MO | 2 | $2,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Used at the discretion of the board of directors or trustee… |
| Hunter Legacy Family Foundation | Kansas City, MO | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Charitable contribution |
| Westport Fund | Washington, DC | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Charitable purposes |
| Edward Jones Foundation | St Louis, MO | 2 | $1,375 | $687 | Preselected only | Animal-related; Youth development |
| Parmelee Foundation Inc | Stilwell, KS | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Great plains spca |
| The Francis Family Foundation | Kansas City, MO | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | General operating support |
| Lang Rogers Family Foundation | Overland Park, KS | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Grant benefits |
| Gerson Family Foundation | Olathe, KS | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | General charitable contribution |
| John and Bernice Hamra Foundation | Naples, FL | 1 | $600 | $600 | Preselected only | Animal welfare |
| Seaboard Foundation | Merriam, KS | 1 | $600 | $600 | Preselected only | Safe Spaces for Teens |
| Jack and Susan Pierson Charitable Trust | Shawnee Mission, KS | 1 | $250 | $250 | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Textron Charitable Trust Dtd 122353 | Providence, RI | 1 | $100 | $100 | Yes | Matching gift to civic agency |
| Hickok Family Foundation F/K/A John D Hickok Foundation | Kansas City, MO | 1 | $100 | $100 | Yes | Charitable |
| Treas Family Foundation | Lake Quivira, KS | 1 | $77 | $77 | Preselected only | General use |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Merriam, Kansas?
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, The Quinn Foundation, Wm and Margaret Schreiber Char Tr, Wk Kellogg Foundation, Wyandotte Health Foundation and 34 others reported grants to Merriam organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Merriam. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.