Dwane L and Velma Lunt Wallace Charitable Foundation

About Dwane L and Velma Lunt Wallace Charitable Foundation

The Dwane L and Velma Lunt Wallace Charitable Foundation stands out for a pattern of large, grant-agreement-based commitments to Wichita institutions, especially in education, youth services, and civic facilities. Recent awards include $725,000 to Sedgwick County Zoological Society for a grant agreement and $500,000 to KU Endowment Assn for education programs, showing support for both community attractions and higher education. The foundation also backed Fundamental Learning Center Inc with repeated large commitments, along with Wichita Children's Home and Wichita Public Library Foundation, indicating sustained interest in early learning, child welfare, and library infrastructure. Their recent record also points to capital-heavy philanthropy rather than many small awards. The foundation has funded renovations, construction, and program support across local organizations, from library and arts facilities to health and wellness spaces. Alongside direct service groups, it has supported universities, public-facing cultural institutions, and youth-serving nonprofits. The grant list suggests a trustee-driven approach with substantial, named commitments that often recur over multiple years and align with specific projects or agreements.

What Dwane L and Velma Lunt Wallace Charitable Foundation Funds

Education appears across several parts of the foundation’s grantmaking. They gave $300,000 to Wichita Public Library Foundation for the Advanced Learning Center Library Project and $125,000 to Wichita State University Foundation as a pledged amount for 2024. At the K-12 and youth level, the foundation awarded $100,000 to Boys & Girls Club of South Central Kansas for after school programs. Health and human services also receive support through local organizations. The foundation gave $100,000 to Hunter Health Clinic Inc for a new community wellness center and $200,000 to Wichita Family Crisis Center. For child and youth services, it funded Wichita Children's Home with a $351,900 grant agreement and supported KVC Foundation with $100,000 for proximity devices. Arts, culture, and community assets are another visible theme. Friends University received $200,000 for Riney Fine Arts Center renovations, while PBS Kansas received $125,000. Bike Walk Wichita Inc also received $201,491 for renovations to the BWW building.

How Dwane L and Velma Lunt Wallace Charitable Foundation Gives