Foundations that fund organizations in Paola, Kansas
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Paola nonprofits
23 private foundations gave $1.0M to Paola organizations in their latest filings; 12 of the 23 that say either way accept applications.
51 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Paola around $10K. 16 of these funders are based in Kansas; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 23
- Accept applications
- 12
- of 23 that state a policy
- Dollars to Paola
- $1.0M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 51
- Typical median grant
- $10K
- Based in KS
- 70%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Paola organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dean E & Cleta J Smith Charitable Fund FIRST Option Bank Trustee | Paola, KS | 1 | $202K | $202K | Yes | Matching grant funds $100,000; close foundation to 501(c)3… |
| Louis W Baehr and Dolpha Baehr Charitable Trust | Paola, KS | 11 | $135K | $10K | Yes | Recreation equipment; For purchase of food for veterans's meals; Gas & grocery card purchases |
| Mary Agnes Scherman & Harold Scherm | Paola, KS | 4 | $127K | $25K | Yes | Facilities for exceptional children; Family housing; Renovations |
| Kid Vanvlack Foundation FIRST Option Bank Trustee | Paola, KS | 1 | $120K | $120K | Yes | Matching hud grant |
| The Patterson Family Foundation | Kansas City, MO | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | Rural workforce development program grant |
| Roman Foundation FIRST Option Trust Dept Trustee | Paola, KS | 2 | $61K | $31K | Yes | Pickleball courts; Center stage |
| T-Serve Foundation | Leawood, KS | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Teach & heal children w/ disability |
| Hadley & Marion Stuart Foundation | Longmont, CO | 1 | $45K | $45K | Preselected only | General charitable |
| Paola Free Library Foundation | Paola, KS | 1 | $37K | $37K | Preselected only | To support the function of the library |
| Kenneth L & Eva S Smith Foundation Thomas K Jones Trustee | Overland Park, KS | 1 | $35K | $35K | Preselected only | Charitable contribution |
| The John R Devore Charitable Trust FIRST Option Bank Trustee | Paola, KS | 11 | $31K | $2,500 | Yes | Dental work; Dental treatment; Court fine |
| June Everhart Foundation Charitable Tr FIRST Option Bank Trustee | Paola, KS | 1 | $16K | $16K | Yes | Various programs |
| Knaebel Family Foundation | Paola, KS | 2 | $16K | $7,750 | Yes | General operating support; Fire victim |
| Maxine Ann Staley Fund Xxxxx2007 | Chicago, IL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General |
| Francis P Chiaramonte MD Family Foundation Inc | Alexandria, VA | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General support |
| Kelly Charitable Trust FIRST Option Bank Trustee | Paola, KS | 1 | $9,515 | $9,515 | Yes | Hud matching funds |
| Carl F Gump & Beth C Gump Foundation FIRST Option Bank Trustee | Paola, KS | 1 | $7,000 | $7,000 | Yes | Diaper bank |
| Lewis Family Foundation | Paola, KS | 3 | $6,905 | $3,000 | Yes | Tree fund; Memorial hall; Food assistance |
| Anderson County Association for Retarded Citizens | Garnett, KS | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Contribution |
| Edward Jones Foundation | St Louis, MO | 2 | $1,100 | $550 | Preselected only | Cancer; Philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations |
| One Gas Foundation Inc | Tulsa, OK | 1 | $1,037 | $1,037 | Yes | United Way Match |
| John J Sullivan Jr Foundation John Houlehan & Mark Henke-Trustees | Overland Park, KS | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Fincl support of homes for children |
| John and Bernice Hamra Foundation | Naples, FL | 1 | $750 | $750 | Preselected only | Medical |
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 Paola, Kansas?
Dean E & Cleta J Smith Charitable Fund FIRST Option Bank Trustee, Louis W Baehr and Dolpha Baehr Charitable Trust, Mary Agnes Scherman & Harold Scherm, Kid Vanvlack Foundation FIRST Option Bank Trustee, The Patterson Family Foundation and 18 others reported grants to Paola 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 Paola. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.