Giving The Basics aims to bring improved health, hope and dignity to struggling children and adults through the procurement, fulfillment, and distribution of hygiene products.
Giving the Basics Inc centers its giving on hygiene insecurity, using in-kind product distribution to move personal care and household essentials to organizations serving people in need. Its work is built around registration-based partner programs that approve U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and partner locations to receive donated toiletries, household hygiene items, and other basic necessities through a fulfillment and distribution network. Recent grants show a consistent pattern of support for agencies that hand products directly to clients, including a $1,259,740 grant to El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank and a $217,780 grant to Food Bank of the Rockies. The foundation also supports local distribution partners in the Kansas City area, with repeated grants to groups such as Cross-lines, Catholic Charities Ks, and Redemptorist Center. The stated aim is to bring improved health, hope, and dignity to struggling children and adults through procurement, fulfillment, and distribution of hygiene products. Leadership is listed as Teresa Hamilton, and the foundation’s giving is regional rather than national.
Hygiene poverty is the clearest throughline in Giving the Basics Inc’s grantmaking. The foundation gave $148,584 to Cross-lines in Kansas City, KS, and $139,539 to Backpack Beginnings in Greensboro, NC, both marked for distribution to the needy. It also supported school-linked distribution, including $65,195 to Kansas City Ks School District for the same purpose. In the housing and family-support space, the foundation awarded $66,208 to Phoenix Family Housing in Kansas City, MO and $65,079 to Brothers in Blue in Lansing, KS. These grants point to a direct-service model in which hygiene and household products are used as material aid for children, adults, and families facing basic-needs gaps.
Typical grant size sits in a fairly tight band: p25 is $11,520, median is $21,728, and p75 is $38,727. The recent grants list shows repeated awards to the same recipients across 2023 and 2024, including Cross-lines, Center of Grace, Redemptorist Center, Phoenix Family Housing, Don Bosco, Hickman Mills, and Mimi's Pantry. That pattern suggests ongoing operating support through in-kind product distribution rather than one-off project funding. The active programs are registration-based and accept unsolicited applications from eligible U.S. nonprofits, schools, and partner locations.
$5M
$5.3M
$6.8M
$7M
Most grants fall between $12K and $39K, with a median of $22K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$22K
75th Percentile
$39K
About 23% of grants go to recipients in MO.
TERESA HAMILTON
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Giving the Basics Inc’s grants are concentrated in the U.S., with all recent grants landing domestically. Missouri is the top state by grant count, and 23% of grants go to recipients in Kansas. Kansas City appears frequently on both sides of the state line, including Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO, along with nearby Olathe, Riverside, Lansing, and Grandview. Outside the Kansas City region, recent recipients include El Paso, Denver, Greensboro, and several other U.S. cities.
The active programs are built for U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, and one program also includes schools and partner locations. Approved organizations can receive in-kind hygiene and household products for distribution to people in need.
The foundation uses in-kind product distribution rather than cash grants in its active programs. Approved partners can receive donated personal care and household hygiene items such as toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant, diapers, feminine products, and laundry soap.
Typical grant sizes cluster around a median of $21,728, with the middle half of grants ranging from $11,520 at the 25th percentile to $38,727 at the 75th percentile.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Cross-lines, Center of Grace, Redemptorist Center, Phoenix Family Housing, Don Bosco, Hickman Mills, and Mimi's Pantry, which points to recurring support rather than only one-time awards.
The foundation focuses on hygiene insecurity, basic needs and personal care, community distribution, volunteer services, and donor and sponsor engagement. Recent grants show direct support for food banks, schools, housing-related organizations, and other local agencies that distribute products to people in need.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Giving the Basics that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organization must be a 501(c)(3) based in the United States and provide products to individuals and families in need; approved organizations are responsible for distribution of donated goods. Kansas schools have a separate registration path.
Deadline: Applications are reviewed and approved in January and July; no specific annual deadline provided.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK | EL PASO, TX | $1,228,746 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| MIDWEST FOOD BANK | NORMAL, IL | $405,975 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES | DENVER, CO | $376,841 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| CENTRAL CALIFORNIA FOOD BANK | FRESNO, CA | $276,720 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| MATTHEW 25 MINISTRIES | BLUE ASH, OH | $257,182 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES ST JOSEPH KCMO | KANSAS CITY, MO | $145,411 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| CROSS-LINES | KANSAS CITY, KS | $103,888 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| REDEMPTORIST CENTER | KANSAS CITY, MO | $83,729 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| TURNER | KANSAS CITY, KS | $82,760 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| CENTER OF GRACE | SHAWNEE, KS | $80,381 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT | INDEPENDENCE, MO | $73,175 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| KANSAS CITY MO SCHOOL DISTRICT | KANSAS CITY, MO | $68,680 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES KS | KANSAS CITY, KS | $67,264 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| KANSAS CITY KS SCHOOL DISTRICT | KANSAS CITY, KS | $65,589 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| SETON CENTER | KANSAS CITY, MO | $65,577 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| METRO LUTHERAN MINISTRY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $60,747 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| DON BOSCO | KANSAS CITY, MO | $60,528 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| MIMI'S PANTRY | RIVERSIDE, MO | $57,104 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| PHOENIX FAMILY HOUSING | KANSAS CITY, MO | $56,478 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $54,232 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| KANSAS CITY MO POLICE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $48,016 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| VILLAGE PRESBYTERIAN | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $46,183 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| SALINA-CATHOLIC CHARITIES NORTHERN KS | SALINA, KS | $46,110 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $45,555 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| DIOCESE OF KC ST JOE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $43,612 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $43,214 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| ST MICHAEL'S EPISCOPAL NECESSITY PANTRY | INDEPENDENCE, MO | $41,466 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| BACKPACK BEGINNINGS | GREENSBORO, NC | $41,320 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| GRANDVIEW | GRANDVIEW, MO | $40,920 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| JOURNEY TO NEW LIFE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $39,832 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| ST VINCENT DEPAUL KCMO | KANSAS CITY, MO | $39,321 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| CORYELL CUPBOARD | PONCA CITY, OK | $36,780 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| GRAIN VALLEY | GRAIN VALLEY, MO | $34,836 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| HICKMAN MILLS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $34,010 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| HOPE FAITH HOMELESS ASSISTANCE CAMPUS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $32,187 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| KSU FOUNDATION CATS CUPBOARD | MANHATTAN, KS | $28,043 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| COLONIAL PRESBYTERIAN FOOD PANTRY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $27,784 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| SYNERGY SERVICES | PARKVILLE, MO | $27,171 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| RESTART | KANSAS CITY, MO | $26,449 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| OLATHE SCHOOLS USD 233 | OLATHE, KS | $26,192 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| FRONTIER SCHOOLS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $26,150 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| CITY UNION MISSION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $25,962 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| VIVENT HEALTH KC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $24,839 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| ASBURY UMC FOOD PANTRY | PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS | $24,459 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| LAZARUS MINISTRIES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $22,693 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| HEALING HOUSE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $21,950 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE COUNCIL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $20,238 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| TRUE LIGHT FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER | KANSAS CITY, MO | $19,792 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| DONNELLY COLLEGE | KANSAS CITY, KS | $18,615 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
| WYANDOTTELEAVENWORTH AREA AGENCY ON AGING | KANSAS CITY, KS | $17,606 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY |
TURNER
$82,760DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
CENTER OF GRACE
$80,381DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT
$73,175DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
KANSAS CITY MO SCHOOL DISTRICT
$68,680DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
KANSAS CITY KS SCHOOL DISTRICT
$65,589DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
DON BOSCO
$60,528DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
MIMI'S PANTRY
$57,104DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
KANSAS CITY MO POLICE
$48,016DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
VILLAGE PRESBYTERIAN
$46,183DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
SALINA-CATHOLIC CHARITIES NORTHERN KS
$46,110DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
DIOCESE OF KC ST JOE
$43,612DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$43,214DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
ST MICHAEL'S EPISCOPAL NECESSITY PANTRY
$41,466DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
GRANDVIEW
$40,920DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
JOURNEY TO NEW LIFE
$39,832DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
ST VINCENT DEPAUL KCMO
$39,321DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
CORYELL CUPBOARD
$36,780DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
GRAIN VALLEY
$34,836DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
HICKMAN MILLS
$34,010DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
COLONIAL PRESBYTERIAN FOOD PANTRY
$27,784DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
OLATHE SCHOOLS USD 233
$26,192DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
FRONTIER SCHOOLS
$26,150DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
VIVENT HEALTH KC
$24,839DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
ASBURY UMC FOOD PANTRY
$24,459DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
LAZARUS MINISTRIES
$22,693DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
HEALING HOUSE
$21,950DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
TRUE LIGHT FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
$19,792DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
WYANDOTTELEAVENWORTH AREA AGENCY ON AGING
$17,606DISTRIBUTION TO THE NEEDY
