1440 Ventures Foundation focuses its giving on education in Kansas with a strong emphasis on foundational literacy and early learning programs, while also supporting local cultural institutions. The foundation makes a small number of very large grants and frequently provides repeat funding to core education partners, indicating long-term partnerships and impact-oriented investments.
Concentrated giving: few, large grants with repeat support to the same core grantees; predominantly education-focused (B-coded) with selective funding for local cultural/charitable organizations.
1440 Ventures Foundation Inc. centers its giving on foundational literacy for children, with Fundamental Literacy Foundation receiving three of the largest grants in the recent record: $800,000 in 2025, $800,000 in 2023, and $400,000 in 2024. That pattern signals sustained support rather than one-time project funding. The foundation’s other large education grant to Phillips Fundamental Learning Center, at $200,000 in 2023, reinforces the same early learning and reading emphasis. Alongside those education commitments, the foundation also supports Wichita-area cultural and community institutions, including the McCormick School Museum Inc and the Orpheum Theatre. Its grant history suggests a portfolio built around a small set of recurring partners, with education taking the largest share of attention and local civic organizations rounding out the mix. Recent awards also show that the foundation uses both major grants and smaller operating-style gifts, depending on the recipient and purpose. The result is a giving profile shaped by long-term relationships in Kansas, especially in Wichita, and a clear focus on programs serving children and students through literacy and learning.
Education is the clearest throughline in the foundation’s recent grants. In 2025, it gave $800,000 to Fundamental Literacy Foundation for educational support, following $400,000 in 2024 and the same $800,000 amount in 2023. It also provided $200,000 to Phillips Fundamental Learning Center in 2023 for literacy programs for children. Beyond direct literacy work, the foundation has supported higher education through the Ku Endowment, with grants of $250,000 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2024 for charitable support. Local arts and heritage also appear in the portfolio: McCormick School Museum Inc received $300,000 in 2024 and $25,000 in 2025, while the Orpheum Theatre received $250,000 in 2025 and $1,000 in 2024.
The typical grant size is small, with p25 and median both at $1,000, while p75 rises to $32,500, showing a distribution that mixes many modest awards with a few very large commitments. The recent record also points to repeat funding: Fundamental Literacy Foundation appears in three separate years, Ku Endowment in two, and several Wichita organizations received multiple awards across 2024 and 2025. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Giving is local and entirely within Kansas, consistent with a place-based grantmaking pattern rather than a broad open-application model.
$3.2M
$1.2M
$91K
$554K
Most grants fall between $1K and $33K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$33K
About 100% of grants go to recipients in KS.
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Notable grantees: Fundamental Literacy Foundation, KU Endowment, McCormick School Museum Inc, Orpheum Theatre, Phillips Fundamental Learning Center
Grantmaking is concentrated in Kansas, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Wichita dominates the recipient map, including Fundamental Literacy Foundation, McCormick School Museum Inc, Orpheum Theatre, United Way of the Plains, and several smaller local groups. Lawrence also appears through Ku Endowment. The country distribution is fully domestic, with all recent grants going to US recipients.
The foundation supports education-focused organizations, especially those tied to foundational literacy and early learning. Recent recipients also include higher education partners and Wichita cultural institutions such as museums, theatres, and other local community organizations.
Yes. Fundamental Literacy Foundation received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Ku Endowment appears in 2024 and 2025, and several Wichita recipients, including the Orpheum Theatre and United Way of the Plains, also appear more than once.
The median grant is $1,000, and the 25th percentile is also $1,000. The 75th percentile is $32,500, reflecting a pattern of many small grants alongside a few much larger awards.
All recent grants went to US recipients, and 100% of grants were made to organizations in Kansas. Wichita is the primary recipient city, with additional giving in Lawrence.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUNDAMENTAL LITERACY FOUNDATION | WICHITA, KS | $800,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT |
| ORPHEUM THEATRE | WICHITA, KS | $250,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| KU ENDOWMENT | LAWRENCE, KS | $250,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| MCCORMICK SCHOOL MUSEUM | WICHITA, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF THE PLAINS INC | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF THE PLAINS | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| MIDWEST HISTORIC AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC | WICHITA, KS | $6,600 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| STEPSTONE | WICHITA, KS | $6,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| MIDWEST HISTORIC AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY | WICHITA, KS | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY OF WICHITA INC | WICHITA, KS | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| KANSAS FOOD BANK | WICHITA, KS | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| ORPHEUM THEATRE | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| HUMANKIND MINISTRIES WICHITA INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| WICHITA ART MUSEUM | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| KANSAS FOODBANK WAREHOUSE INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| STEPSTONE | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| WICHITA CHILDREN'S HOME | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| MCCORMICK SCHOOL MUSEUM INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY OF WICHITA | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| MUSIC THEATRE WICHITA | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| BOTANICA INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| WICHITA CHILDREN'S HOME | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| SENIOR SERVICES INC OF WICHITA | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| WICHITA ART MUSEUM | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| WICHITA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| STORYTIME VILLAGE INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| USD 290 DERBY PARENTS AS TEACHERS | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| KANSAS PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| HUMANKIND | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL PLAINS HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| MEALS ON WHEELS SEDGWICK CO KS | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| WICHITA DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | WICHITA, KS | $500 | 2025 | DOUGLAS FLOWER PROJECT |
| WSU FOUNDATION | WICHITA, KS | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| HARVESTER ARTS | WICHITA, KS | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| WSU FOUNDATION | WICHITA, KS | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF WICHITA | WICHITA, KS | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF WICHITA | WICHITA, KS | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FUNDAMENTAL LITERACY FOUNDATION | WICHITA, KS | $400,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT |
| MCCORMICK SCHOOL MUSEUM INC | WICHITA, KS | $300,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| KU ENDOWMENT | LAWRENCE, KS | $100,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF THE PLAINS INC | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| MIDWEST HISTORIC AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC | WICHITA, KS | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| BOTANICA INC | WICHITA, KS | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| WICHITA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY OF WICHITA INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| SENIOR SERVICES INC OF WICHITA | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| KANSAS PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| KANSAS FOODBANK WAREHOUSE INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| ORPHEUM THEATRE | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| HUMANKIND MINISTRIES WICHITA INC | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
FUNDAMENTAL LITERACY FOUNDATION
$800,000EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
ORPHEUM THEATRE
$250,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
KU ENDOWMENT
$250,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
MCCORMICK SCHOOL MUSEUM
$25,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF THE PLAINS INC
$10,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF THE PLAINS
$10,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
MIDWEST HISTORIC AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC
CHARITABLE SUPPORT
STEPSTONE
$6,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
MIDWEST HISTORIC AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
$5,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY OF WICHITA INC
$2,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
KANSAS FOOD BANK
$2,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
ORPHEUM THEATRE
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
HUMANKIND MINISTRIES WICHITA INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
WICHITA ART MUSEUM
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
KANSAS FOODBANK WAREHOUSE INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
STEPSTONE
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
WICHITA CHILDREN'S HOME
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
MCCORMICK SCHOOL MUSEUM INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY OF WICHITA
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
MUSIC THEATRE WICHITA
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
BOTANICA INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
WICHITA CHILDREN'S HOME
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
SENIOR SERVICES INC OF WICHITA
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
WICHITA ART MUSEUM
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
WICHITA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
STORYTIME VILLAGE INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
USD 290 DERBY PARENTS AS TEACHERS
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
KANSAS PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
HUMANKIND
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
CENTRAL PLAINS HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
MEALS ON WHEELS SEDGWICK CO KS
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
WICHITA DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$500DOUGLAS FLOWER PROJECT
WSU FOUNDATION
$500CHARITABLE SUPPORT
HARVESTER ARTS
$500CHARITABLE SUPPORT
WSU FOUNDATION
$500CHARITABLE SUPPORT
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF WICHITA
$500CHARITABLE SUPPORT
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF WICHITA
$500CHARITABLE SUPPORT
FUNDAMENTAL LITERACY FOUNDATION
$400,000EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
MCCORMICK SCHOOL MUSEUM INC
$300,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
KU ENDOWMENT
$100,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF THE PLAINS INC
$10,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
MIDWEST HISTORIC AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY INC
$5,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
BOTANICA INC
$5,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
WICHITA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY OF WICHITA INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
SENIOR SERVICES INC OF WICHITA
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
KANSAS PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
KANSAS FOODBANK WAREHOUSE INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
ORPHEUM THEATRE
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
HUMANKIND MINISTRIES WICHITA INC
$1,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT