The Emporia Community Foundation seeks to be a responsive and proactive community partner that works strategically to address existing and emerging community issues.
A large share of Emporia Community Foundation’s recent giving has gone to health, counseling, and community institutions in and around Emporia, with some of the biggest awards supporting Newman Regional Health and CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness. That pattern sits alongside grants for parks, schools, scholarships, housing, and local cultural projects, showing a foundation that funds both core services and community amenities. The recent record includes repeated support for the local hospital, including $879,446 in 2023 and $121,579 in 2024 to Newman Regional Health, plus $858,743 in 2023 and $762,199 in 2024 to CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness for mental health programs. The foundation also backs place-based projects such as park improvements, splash pad work, historic preservation, and university programs. Its 2025 grants include $841,583 to Newman Regional Health for the arts and $394,663 to CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness for art programs, indicating that its support can extend beyond core service delivery into broader community programming. The overall picture is a local community foundation that funds a mix of human services, education, recreation, and civic infrastructure through both large and mid-sized grants.
In healthcare, the foundation has made some of its largest awards to Newman Regional Health, including $879,446 in 2023 to support the local community hospital and its programs, and $121,579 in 2024 for the same purpose. Mental health is another clear area of support: CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness received $858,743 in 2023 and $762,199 in 2024 for mental health programs. Education and higher education also appear in the recent record. Kansas State University Foundation received $293,153 in 2023, $124,250 in 2024, and $99,500 in 2025 for Kansas State University programs and faith based ministry. Community facilities and public spaces are another thread, with the City of Emporia receiving $265,295 in 2024 for park improvements and public safety, and the City of Cottonwood Falls receiving $80,000 in 2023 for walking trail lighting improvements.
Typical grants fall in the mid-sized range, with p25 at $10,000, a median of $18,557, and p75 at $33,900. The recent record also includes several much larger awards, showing that the foundation will make major operating and project grants when it chooses. Recipients can appear across multiple years: Newman Regional Health, CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness, Kansas State University Foundation, and the City of Americus each show repeated support in the recent grants list. The foundation gives locally, with 95% of grants going to recipients in Kansas. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$3.5M
$45.6M
$4M
$4.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $34K, with a median of $19K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$19K
75th Percentile
$34K
Linda Kehres-Schmidt
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Grantmaking is concentrated in Kansas, which accounts for 95% of grants. Emporia is the main recipient city in the recent list, with multiple awards to organizations there, while other Kansas cities include Manhattan, Americus, Strong City, Cottonwood Falls, Hartford, and Topeka. The foundation also gives to rural communities and nearby towns such as Olpe, Chase County, and Matfield Green. Outside the HQ state, the grant count data points to Virginia as the top state by grant count, though the recent grants list is entirely U.S.-based.
Its recent grants support hospitals, mental health services, parks and public safety projects, schools and universities, housing, historic preservation, and community facilities. Named grantees include Newman Regional Health, CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness, Kansas State University Foundation, City of Emporia, and Arvonia Historic Preservation Society.
The grant-size distribution centers on modest awards: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $18,557, and p75 is $33,900. At the same time, several awards in the recent list are far larger, including seven-figure and high six-figure grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. Newman Regional Health received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Kansas State University Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and the City of Americus appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
It gives most often in Kansas, which accounts for 95% of grants. Recent Kansas recipients include organizations in Emporia, Manhattan, Americus, Strong City, Cottonwood Falls, Hartford, Topeka, Olpe, and Matfield Green.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newman Regional Health | Emporia, KS | $841,583 | 2025 | support the arts |
| CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness | Emporia, KS | $394,663 | 2025 | support art programs |
| Symphony in the Flint Hills | Cottonwood Falls, KS | $347,676 | 2025 | support internships for conservation |
| Olpe Community Improvement Inc | Olpe, KS | $131,000 | 2025 | support disaster relief |
| USD 252 | Hartford, KS | $108,583 | 2025 | support USD 284 programs |
| Kansas State University Foundation | Manhattan, KS | $99,500 | 2025 | support faith based ministry |
| Hetlinger Developmental Services Inc | Emporia, KS | $83,132 | 2025 | support the needs of the animal population |
| Chase County Care & Compassion Inc | Strong City, KS | $77,630 | 2025 | support park improvements and public safety |
| USD 284 | Cottonwood Falls, KS | $75,352 | 2025 | Operating support |
| City of Americus | Americus, KS | $73,190 | 2025 | support park improvements |
| Hetlinger Foundation | Emporia, KS | $66,052 | 2025 | support juvenile diabetes |
| Strong City Preservation Alliance Inc | Strong City, KS | $64,625 | 2025 | support children with diabetes and Type 1 awareness |
| Greenwood Preservation Society | Eureka, KS | $60,000 | 2025 | support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities |
| First Congregational Church | Emporia, KS | $54,000 | 2025 | support faith based ministry |
| American Diabetes Association | Arlington, VA | $51,225 | 2025 | support disaster relief |
| Barry Flinchbaugh Center for Ag and Food Policy | Manhattan, KS | $50,000 | 2025 | food pantry for Chase County residents |
| Little Lyons Childcare Inc | Emporia, KS | $50,000 | 2025 | support community programs and local 4-H |
| Emporia Main Street Inc | Emporia, KS | $48,072 | 2025 | support for local senior center |
| Emporia Arts Council | Emporia, KS | $46,985 | 2025 | support local art programs |
| NLC Youth Association | Allen, KS | $45,150 | 2025 | support community fitness project in Olpe, KS |
| First United Methodist Church | Emporia, KS | $42,328 | 2025 | support museum about the Flint Hills region |
| Matfield Green Works Inc | Matfield Green, KS | $37,000 | 2025 | support the local community hospital and its programs |
| Lowther Building Fund Inc | Emporia, KS | $31,949 | 2025 | support the arts and the tallgrass prairie |
| Emporia State University | Emporia, KS | $31,026 | 2025 | support for upkeep of historic Welsh cemetery |
| City of Madison | Madison, KS | $30,256 | 2025 | support Kansas Business Hall of Fame |
| Salvation Army | Emporia, KS | $26,850 | 2025 | support Shrine Bowl and Shriners children |
| City of Emporia | Emporia, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | support park improvements |
| Kansas Legal Services | Topeka, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | support Kansas State University programs |
| Alpha Xi of Sigma Chi Educational Foundation | Mission Hills, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | support the American Legion and its mission to assist veterans |
| Emporia Public Library | Emporia, KS | $21,383 | 2025 | support the Spanish speaking community and facilitate learning Spanish language |
| Emporia First Friday Art Walk Inc | Emporia, KS | $20,000 | 2025 | support downtown preservation and development |
| City of Neosho Rapids | Neosho Rapids, KS | $19,930 | 2025 | support community building improvements |
| Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society | Osage City, KS | $19,500 | 2025 | support building to house community non-profit, humanitarian and public organizations |
| Emporia Spanish Speakers | Emporia, KS | $18,000 | 2025 | support Emporia State University programs |
| Camp Wood | Elmdale, KS | $17,949 | 2025 | support park improvements |
| Lyon County Extension Council (US Department Agriculture Lyon Co Extension | Emporia, KS | $17,612 | 2025 | support charitable projects |
| Friends of the Emporia Animal Shelter Inc | Emporia, KS | $17,000 | 2025 | support Girl Scout program |
| Street Cats Club | Emporia, KS | $16,000 | 2025 | support the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie |
| Emporia Christian School | Emporia, KS | $15,833 | 2025 | support the local zoo |
| Emporia Senior Center Inc | Emporia, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | support local university |
| Miriam Chapter 14 OES | Emporia, KS | $14,743 | 2025 | support childcare and educational programs in rural area |
| Emporia State University Foundation | Emporia, KS | $14,500 | 2025 | support faith based ministry |
| The Nature Conservancy | Topeka, KS | $14,050 | 2025 | support USD 253 programs |
| First United Methodist Church of Osage City | Osage City, KS | $13,200 | 2025 | support area animals in need |
| Arvonia Historic Preservation Society | Emporia, KS | $12,655 | 2025 | support camp activities for kids |
| Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce | Emporia, KS | $12,462 | 2025 | support education |
| Humane Society of the Flint Hills Inc | Emporia, KS | $11,046 | 2025 | support to build young agricultural and rural leaders |
| Samaritan's Purse | Boone, NC | $11,000 | 2025 | support those affected by sexual and domestic violence |
| USD 253 | Emporia, KS | $10,888 | 2025 | support Red Rocks, the home of William Allen White |
| William Allen White Community Partnership Inc | Emporia, KS | $10,600 | 2025 | Opperating support |
Newman Regional Health
$841,583support the arts
Symphony in the Flint Hills
$347,676support internships for conservation
Olpe Community Improvement Inc
$131,000support disaster relief
USD 252
$108,583support USD 284 programs
support faith based ministry
Hetlinger Developmental Services Inc
$83,132support the needs of the animal population
Chase County Care & Compassion Inc
$77,630support park improvements and public safety
USD 284
$75,352Operating support
City of Americus
$73,190support park improvements
Hetlinger Foundation
$66,052support juvenile diabetes
Strong City Preservation Alliance Inc
$64,625support children with diabetes and Type 1 awareness
Greenwood Preservation Society
$60,000support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
First Congregational Church
$54,000support faith based ministry
Barry Flinchbaugh Center for Ag and Food Policy
$50,000food pantry for Chase County residents
Little Lyons Childcare Inc
$50,000support community programs and local 4-H
Emporia Main Street Inc
$48,072support for local senior center
NLC Youth Association
$45,150support community fitness project in Olpe, KS
First United Methodist Church
$42,328support museum about the Flint Hills region
Matfield Green Works Inc
$37,000support the local community hospital and its programs
Lowther Building Fund Inc
$31,949support the arts and the tallgrass prairie
Emporia State University
$31,026support for upkeep of historic Welsh cemetery
City of Madison
$30,256support Kansas Business Hall of Fame
Salvation Army
$26,850support Shrine Bowl and Shriners children
City of Emporia
$25,000support park improvements
Kansas Legal Services
$25,000support Kansas State University programs
Alpha Xi of Sigma Chi Educational Foundation
$25,000support the American Legion and its mission to assist veterans
Emporia Public Library
$21,383support the Spanish speaking community and facilitate learning Spanish language
Emporia First Friday Art Walk Inc
$20,000support downtown preservation and development
City of Neosho Rapids
$19,930support community building improvements
Latimer Lutheran Church Preservation Society
$19,500support building to house community non-profit, humanitarian and public organizations
Emporia Spanish Speakers
$18,000support Emporia State University programs
Camp Wood
$17,949support park improvements
Lyon County Extension Council (US Department Agriculture Lyon Co Extension
$17,612support charitable projects
Friends of the Emporia Animal Shelter Inc
$17,000support Girl Scout program
Street Cats Club
$16,000support the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie
Emporia Christian School
$15,833support the local zoo
Emporia Senior Center Inc
$15,000support local university
Miriam Chapter 14 OES
$14,743support childcare and educational programs in rural area
First United Methodist Church of Osage City
$13,200support area animals in need
Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce
$12,462support education
Humane Society of the Flint Hills Inc
$11,046support to build young agricultural and rural leaders
USD 253
$10,888support Red Rocks, the home of William Allen White
William Allen White Community Partnership Inc
$10,600Opperating support