Commerce Bancshares Foundation concentrates giving in the Midwest (especially Missouri and Kansas) and prioritizes broad community-impact organizations—most prominently United Ways—alongside K–higher education supports, health service partners, and local economic empowerment initiatives. Grants frequently take the form of unrestricted or program support for operating funds, capital campaigns, scholarships, and targeted capacity-building (e.g., police tech, small business incubation). The foundation favors organizations that serve broad community needs, youth services, and workforce/education pipelines.
Commerce Bancshares Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated board-discretionary support to United Way affiliates, with the largest visible grants going to United Way of Greater St Louis Inc and United Way of Greater Kansas City Inc. Those awards are structured as operating support, and they recur across 2023, 2024, and 2025, signaling a steady relationship rather than one-off project funding. The foundation also backs targeted community investments outside the United Way network, including a $50,000 grant to the Police Foundation of Kansas City for Peregrine technology acquisition and a $40,000 grant to the Urban League of Metropolitan St Louis for Natural Bridge renovation. That mix shows a preference for organizations that can absorb flexible support while also advancing specific capital or equipment needs. In the broader portfolio, Commerce Bancshares Foundation funds youth, education, health, economic empowerment, and municipal capacity efforts, but the clearest pattern is support for broad-serving institutions that operate at city or regional scale in Missouri and neighboring states.
Community impact funding is a central thread. The foundation gave $35,000 to United Way of the Plains in Wichita for operating support, alongside larger recurring support for United Way affiliates in St. Louis and Kansas City. Education is another visible area: grants include postsecondary and K–12-related support such as scholarships, teacher awards, and school endowments, reflecting a pipeline approach to learning and workforce preparation. In public safety, a $50,000 grant to the Police Foundation of Kansas City for Peregrine technology acquisition shows support for municipal capacity. The foundation also backs site-specific and neighborhood improvement work, as seen in the $40,000 award to the Urban League of Metropolitan St Louis for Natural Bridge renovation.
Typical awards are small: the grant-size distribution sits at $854 at the 25th percentile, a $1,000 median, and $2,500 at the 75th percentile. The recent-gifts table also shows a set of larger, recurring operating grants to a few anchor organizations, which suggests a portfolio built around many modest awards plus a smaller number of substantial commitments. The same recipients appear across multiple years, especially United Way affiliates, indicating repeat support rather than isolated gifts. Commerce Bancshares Foundation is a private foundation and also makes program-related investments. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations.
$2M
$35M
$6.9M
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $854 and $3K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$854
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$3K
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Concentrated regional giving with a small number of large, repeated investments (notably multiple United Way affiliates) plus many small-to-mid-sized grants; emphasis on unrestricted operating support, recurring annual gifts, and occasional capital or equipment funding for partner institutions.
Notable grantees: United Way of Greater St Louis Inc, United Way of Greater Kansas City Inc, Missouri Colleges Fund Inc, Police Foundation of Kansas City, Credit & Homeownership Empowerment Services (CHES)
Giving is concentrated in Missouri, which accounts for 62% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. The strongest recipient city is St. Louis, followed by Kansas City, with additional grants in Wichita and Peoria. Named grants in the recent list also reach the Kansas side of the region through Wichita, while the country distribution shows all recent grants to US recipients. The pattern is regional rather than national, with the bulk of awards staying in the Midwest.
The recent grants list is dominated by broad community-serving organizations, especially United Way affiliates in St. Louis, Kansas City, the Plains, and Peoria. It also supports public safety, neighborhood revitalization, education-related efforts, and health or workforce-related community partners.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is small relative to its larger awards: the 25th percentile is $854, the median is $1,000, and the 75th percentile is $2,500. Recent large operating grants sit well above that range and are directed to a small set of repeat recipients.
Yes. Several recipients appear across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including United Way of Greater St Louis Inc, United Way of Greater Kansas City Inc, and United Way of the Plains. That repeated pattern points to ongoing support rather than one-time funding.
Missouri is the top state by grant count, and 62% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recipient cities most visible in the recent list are St. Louis and Kansas City, with additional grants in Wichita and Peoria.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST LOUIS INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $60,500 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST LOUIS INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $60,500 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST LOUIS INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $60,500 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER ST LOUIS INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $60,500 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| POLICE FOUNDATION OF KANSAS CITY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | PEREGRINE TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $42,628 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $42,628 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $42,628 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $42,628 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $40,000 | 2025 | NATURAL BRIDGE RENOVATION |
| UNITED WAY OF THE PLAINS | WICHITA, KS | $35,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| BLACK ENTREPRENEURS OF THE FLINT HILLS ASSOCIATION | MANHATTAN, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| ARTISTS REENVISIONING TOMORROW DBA ART INC | PEORIA, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE OZARKS INC | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | LORE LEADERS FOR OZARKS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT |
| HEART OF ILLINOIS UNITED WAY INC | PEORIA, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| HEARTLAND FOUNDATION DBA MOSAIC LIFE CARE FOUNDATION | ST JOSEPH, MO | $21,500 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| TULSA AREA UNITED WAY | TULSA, OK | $19,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| MISSOURI COLLEGES FUND INC | JEFFERSON CITY, MO | $16,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP/TUITION ASSISTANCE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL MISSOURI | COLUMBIA, MO | $15,000 | 2025 | INTERSTATE 70 / HIGHWAY 63 BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT FUND |
| EXPLORATION PLACE INC | WICHITA, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | EP2 INITIATIVE |
| UNITED WAY OF THE OZARKS | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $13,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND DRIVE / CONTRIBUTION |
| HEART OF MISSOURI UNITED WAY INC | COLUMBIA, MO | $12,000 | 2025 | 2024 HEART OF MISSOURI UNITED WAY COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN |
| SAINT FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER | PEORIA, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | OSF HEALTHCARE CANCER INSTITUTE |
| CANCER FREE KIDS PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH ALLIANCE | LOVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| RESTORE SGF | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| HEARTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | NORMAL, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR THEIR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| EMPOWER EVERGREEN | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | EMPOWER - NOMAR PROJECT CAMPAIGN |
| THE FOOD BANK FOR CENTRAL & NORTHEAST MISSOURI INC | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | FOOD BANK MARKET |
| UMKC FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | HENRY W. BLOCH SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT |
| ORPHEUM PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE LTD | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | SECOND CENTURY CAMPAIGN |
| HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO INC | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | JUNIOR MARKET STEER AUCTION |
| ORPHEUM PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE LTD | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | SECOND CENTURY CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - NEXTGEN PRECISION HEALTH | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| HANDI-SHOP INC | MEXICO, MO | $9,800 | 2025 | PARTNERS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN |
| COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF THE BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL AREA | NORMAL, IL | $9,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $8,000 | 2025 | ALL IN FOR HYGIENE |
| CREDIT & HOMEOWNERSHIP EMPOWERMENT SERVICES DBA CHES INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $8,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT HOMEBUYER EDUCATION AND CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICES FOR LMI CLIENTS |
| CHWC INC DBA COMMUNITY HOUSING OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY INC | KANSAS CITY, KS | $8,000 | 2025 | SUPPORTS THE ONLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ORGANIZATION IN WYCO, FOR HOMEBUYER EDUCATION/PARTNERSHIP |
| GATEWAY REGION YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $7,500 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $7,500 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICE INC | TULSA, OK | $7,500 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| PIVOTAL POINT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING INC | ST JOSEPH, MO | $7,500 | 2025 | YOUTH TRANSITIONAL HOUSING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| LEBANON AREA FOUNDATION | LEBANON, MO | $6,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CARES |
| FINNEY COUNTY UNITED WAY | GARDEN CITY, KS | $6,000 | 2025 | 2025 ANNUAL FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SPRINGFIELD INC | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $6,000 | 2025 | NEW CLUB UNIT AT WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY OVER 5 YEARS |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF GREATER ST LOUIS | CHESTERFIELD, MO | $6,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION |
| CREATIVE LEARNING ALLIANCE INC | JOPLIN, MO | $6,000 | 2025 | CREATIVE LEARNING ALLIANCE - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $6,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| GUADALUPE CENTER INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $6,000 | 2025 | CONTINUED SUPPORT OF FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER WORK FOR LMI/LATINO CLIENTS |
| FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | HAYS, KS | $5,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
PEREGRINE TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
BLACK ENTREPRENEURS OF THE FLINT HILLS ASSOCIATION
$25,000USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
ARTISTS REENVISIONING TOMORROW DBA ART INC
$25,000USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
LORE LEADERS FOR OZARKS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
HEARTLAND FOUNDATION DBA MOSAIC LIFE CARE FOUNDATION
$21,500USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL MISSOURI
$15,000INTERSTATE 70 / HIGHWAY 63 BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT FUND
EXPLORATION PLACE INC
$15,000EP2 INITIATIVE
2024 HEART OF MISSOURI UNITED WAY COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN
SAINT FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER
$10,000OSF HEALTHCARE CANCER INSTITUTE
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
RESTORE SGF
$10,000USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR THEIR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - NEXTGEN PRECISION HEALTH
$10,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
HANDI-SHOP INC
$9,800PARTNERS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF THE BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL AREA
$9,000USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
$8,000ALL IN FOR HYGIENE
SUPPORT HOMEBUYER EDUCATION AND CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICES FOR LMI CLIENTS
CHWC INC DBA COMMUNITY HOUSING OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY INC
$8,000SUPPORTS THE ONLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ORGANIZATION IN WYCO, FOR HOMEBUYER EDUCATION/PARTNERSHIP
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$7,500USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
PIVOTAL POINT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING INC
$7,500YOUTH TRANSITIONAL HOUSING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
LEBANON AREA FOUNDATION
$6,000COMMUNITY CARES
FINNEY COUNTY UNITED WAY
$6,0002025 ANNUAL FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN
NEW CLUB UNIT AT WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY OVER 5 YEARS
USED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR TRUSTEES AS THEY SEE FIT FOR OPERATING THEIR ORGANIZATION
CREATIVE LEARNING ALLIANCE INC
$6,000CREATIVE LEARNING ALLIANCE - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
CONTINUED SUPPORT OF FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER WORK FOR LMI/LATINO CLIENTS