The Kemper Family Foundation concentrates its giving in a small number of relatively large gifts to higher-education institutions, cultural/landscape projects, and independent schools, with a significant portion routed through a donor-advised vehicle. Grants include endowed professorships and designated project support (e.g., garden/landscape restoration), and the foundation repeatedly funds a handful of preferred institutions. Their portfolio blends institutional philanthropy with discretionary giving via a DAF.
A defining feature of the David and Dorothy Kemper Family Foundation is its repeated support for a small set of named institutions, especially Washington University, Missouri Botanical Garden, John Burroughs School, and St Louis Art Museum Foundation. The grant record shows a pattern of large, restricted gifts that often point to endowed positions, visitor support, or project-specific work rather than open-ended operating support. Higher education is a clear thread. Washington University received $100,000 in 2023 and $71,384 in 2025 for professorship support, while Harvard and Princeton also appear in the recent grant list. The foundation’s cultural and landscape giving is similarly specific: Missouri Botanical Garden received multiple awards across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including Jack C. Taylor visitor support and other designated project funding. The foundation also backs independent school and arts organizations in St. Louis. John Burroughs School appears several times, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis received support tied to an artistic director contract and other uses. These recurring awards suggest a funder that favors institutional relationships and targeted purposes over broad, undirected giving.
Higher education faculty support is one of the foundation’s clearest priorities. Washington University received $100,000 in 2023 and $71,384 in 2025 for professorship support, and Harvard University received $62,500 in 2023 for use at the institution. Princeton also appears with a 2023 discretionary award. The foundation also funds campus and landscape work. Missouri Botanical Garden received $80,000 in 2024 for Jack C. Taylor visitor support, along with additional awards in 2023 and 2025 for related designated uses. Americans for Oxford Inc received $75,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025 for garden pond restoration. In arts and school support, St Louis Art Museum Foundation received multiple grants in 2023 through 2025, while Opera Theatre of Saint Louis received $20,000 in 2024 for an artistic director contract and another award in 2023. John Burroughs School also appears repeatedly in the recent grants list.
Typical grant size clusters around $7,500 at the median, with a p25 of $5,000 and a p75 of $20,000. The recent list still includes larger outliers, which helps explain how the foundation can combine modest awards with six-figure gifts. The record also shows repeat awards to the same institutions across multiple years, indicating ongoing relationships rather than one-time transactions. Structurally, the foundation appears to use a donor-advised vehicle: several large grants are routed through Greater Horizons DAF. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$2.3M
$9.1M
$277K
$648K
Most grants fall between $5K and $20K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$20K
About 68% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Concentrated giving: a small number of large grants (many repeated to the same institutions), mix of multi-year/repeat support and discretionary DAF distributions rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: Greater Horizons DAF, Washington University, Missouri Botanical Garden, John Burroughs School, Americans for Oxford Inc
Grantmaking is concentrated in the United States, with all recent grants in the country. By recipient location, the largest share of gifts goes to Missouri, especially St. Louis and Saint Louis recipients such as Washington University, Missouri Botanical Garden, John Burroughs School, St Louis Art Museum Foundation, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. California also appears through Stanford University in Stanford. Outside Missouri, recent awards reached Cambridge, Princeton, and New York City recipients, showing a regional pattern with selective national ties.
The recent record centers on universities, cultural institutions, independent schools, and landscape or garden projects. Examples include professorship support at Washington University, visitor support at Missouri Botanical Garden, grants to John Burroughs School, and awards to St Louis Art Museum Foundation and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.
Yes. Several recipients appear multiple times across 2023, 2024, and 2025. Missouri Botanical Garden, John Burroughs School, St Louis Art Museum Foundation, Washington University, and Americans for Oxford Inc all show repeat awards, which points to ongoing institutional relationships.
Its typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $20,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger awards, including six-figure grants and several gifts in the $50,000 to $80,000 range.
Most grants go to Missouri recipients, with 68% of grants in the headquarters state. The top state by grant count, however, is California, reflecting a broader regional footprint beyond the St. Louis area.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments, based on the profile data provided.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREATER HORIZONS DAF | KANSAS CITY, MO | $424,159 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| GREATER HORIZONS DAF | KANSAS CITY, MO | $216,993 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| JOHN BURROUGHS SCHOOL | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $75,100 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $71,384 | 2025 | FOR THE PROFESSORSHIP |
| Americans for Oxford Inc | New York, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GARDEN POND RESTORATION AT |
| PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $27,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | JACK C. TAYLOR VISITOR |
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | JACK C. TAYLOR VISITOR |
| ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| JOHN BURROUGHS SCHOOL | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $17,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CONTRACT |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| MILDRED KEMPER LANE ART MUSEUM | ST LOUIS, MO | $7,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| MILDRED KEMPER LANE ART MUSEUM | ST LOUIS, MO | $7,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| Nine Network of Public Media | St Louis, MO | $7,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| CHANDLER SCHOOL | PASADENA, CA | $6,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| CHANDLER SCHOOL | PASADENA, CA | $6,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| CASA DE SALUD | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | 2023 VIRTUAL GALA |
| PRINCETON | PRINCETON, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF |
| ST LOUIS SYMPHONY | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| Congregation Temple Israel | St Louis, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL | PASADENA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| ST LOUIS SYMPHONY | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| United Way of Greater St Louis | St Louis, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| United Way of Greater St Louis | St Louis, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| Congregation Temple Israel | St Louis, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| PRINCETON | PRINCETON, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | USED AT THE DISCRETION OF |
| THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | RYE BROOK, NY | $4,000 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| ST LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| FORSYTH SCHOOL INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| ST LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| Nine Network of Public Media | St Louis, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| GREATER HORIZONS DAF | KANSAS CITY, MO | $256,002 | 2024 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN | ST LOUIS, MO | $80,000 | 2024 | JACK C. TAYLOR VISITOR |
| Americans for Oxford Inc | New York, NY | $75,000 | 2024 | GARDEN POND RESTORATION AT |
| ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $20,000 | 2024 | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CONTRACT |
| JOHN BURROUGHS SCHOOL | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $12,500 | 2024 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| United Way of Greater St Louis | St Louis, MO | $10,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $7,500 | 2024 | TO BE USED AT THE |
| MERCANTILE LIBRARY AT UMSL | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2024 | MACKEY STUDY ROOM |
| Kipp St Louis | St Louis, MO | $5,000 | 2024 | TO BE USED AT THE |
GREATER HORIZONS DAF
$424,159TO BE USED AT THE
GREATER HORIZONS DAF
$216,993TO BE USED AT THE
JOHN BURROUGHS SCHOOL
$75,100TO BE USED AT THE
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$71,384FOR THE PROFESSORSHIP
Americans for Oxford Inc
$50,000GARDEN POND RESTORATION AT
PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
$27,500TO BE USED AT THE
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
$25,000JACK C. TAYLOR VISITOR
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
$25,000JACK C. TAYLOR VISITOR
ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$25,000TO BE USED AT THE
ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$25,000TO BE USED AT THE
JOHN BURROUGHS SCHOOL
$17,500TO BE USED AT THE
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST LOUIS
$10,000TO BE USED AT THE
OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS
$10,000ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CONTRACT
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST LOUIS
$10,000TO BE USED AT THE
MILDRED KEMPER LANE ART MUSEUM
$7,500TO BE USED AT THE
MILDRED KEMPER LANE ART MUSEUM
$7,500TO BE USED AT THE
Nine Network of Public Media
$7,500TO BE USED AT THE
CHANDLER SCHOOL
$6,000TO BE USED AT THE
CHANDLER SCHOOL
$6,000TO BE USED AT THE
CASA DE SALUD
$5,0002023 VIRTUAL GALA
PRINCETON
$5,000USED AT THE DISCRETION OF
ST LOUIS SYMPHONY
$5,000TO BE USED AT THE
Congregation Temple Israel
$5,000TO BE USED AT THE
POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL
$5,000TO BE USED AT THE
ST LOUIS SYMPHONY
$5,000TO BE USED AT THE
United Way of Greater St Louis
$5,000TO BE USED AT THE
United Way of Greater St Louis
$5,000TO BE USED AT THE
Congregation Temple Israel
$5,000TO BE USED AT THE
PRINCETON
$5,000USED AT THE DISCRETION OF
THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
$4,000TO BE USED AT THE
PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
$2,500TO BE USED AT THE
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
$2,500TO BE USED AT THE
FOREST PARK FOREVER
$2,500TO BE USED AT THE
ST LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO
$2,500TO BE USED AT THE
FORSYTH SCHOOL INC
$2,500TO BE USED AT THE
FOREST PARK FOREVER
$2,500TO BE USED AT THE
ST LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO
$2,500TO BE USED AT THE
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
$2,500TO BE USED AT THE
Nine Network of Public Media
$2,500TO BE USED AT THE
GREATER HORIZONS DAF
$256,002TO BE USED AT THE
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
$80,000JACK C. TAYLOR VISITOR
Americans for Oxford Inc
$75,000GARDEN POND RESTORATION AT
ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$25,000TO BE USED AT THE
OPERA THEATRE OF SAINT LOUIS
$20,000ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CONTRACT
JOHN BURROUGHS SCHOOL
$12,500TO BE USED AT THE
ARCHDIOCESE OF ST LOUIS
$10,000TO BE USED AT THE
United Way of Greater St Louis
$10,000TO BE USED AT THE
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - ST LOUIS
$7,500TO BE USED AT THE
MERCANTILE LIBRARY AT UMSL
$5,000MACKEY STUDY ROOM
Kipp St Louis
$5,000TO BE USED AT THE