The Miller Family Foundation concentrates on a small number of very large, place-based gifts that prioritize Catholic parish and diocesan support alongside investments in local education and community revitalization. Major grants fund church general operations and debt reduction, significant capital projects and athletics at Pittsburg State University, and renovation of a historic school building used for community purposes. Their giving is project-focused and aimed at transformational impact rather than many small awards.
A $1.538 million grant for an outdoor track facility and intercollegiate athletics operations at Pittsburg State University Foundation Inc. is the largest recent award on file for Miller Family Foundation Inc. That single gift captures a pattern that runs through the foundation’s giving: large, place-based support for Catholic institutions, education, and community facilities in Pittsburg and nearby Missouri and Kansas communities. Recent grants also include $1 million awards to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pittsburg for general fund support in 2025, 2024, and 2023, showing repeated support for the same parish over multiple years. Another major award went to Point Forward for refurbishment of the Washington School, a historic building tied to community use. The foundation’s portfolio also reaches diocesan education work, campus ministry, and local public-benefit projects. Its grants are not spread thinly across many small awards; instead, they concentrate on a smaller set of recipients and projects that appear intended to support facilities, operations, and longer-term community assets. The recent record also includes major support for Catholic schools and university-centered initiatives in Pittsburg and Columbia.
Catholic education and parish support are central to the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $1 million to the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City for the Diocesan Excellence in Education Fund and another $500,000 to the same diocese for Fr. Tolton debt reduction. In Pittsburg, it awarded $100,000 to St Mary's Colgan Catholic Schools for general fund support in 2025, after two similar $100,000 grants in prior years. The foundation also supports Catholic ministry on college campuses, including $105,900 to St Thomas More Newman Center for campus ministry. Beyond faith-based work, it funded community access to basic needs with $100,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities Mid-Missouri for a new Ronald McDonald House for children’s hospital families and $50,000 to The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri for general fund support in 2025.
Typical awards are small relative to the foundation’s largest grants, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $20,000. The recent record still shows occasional seven-figure gifts, but the distribution indicates many grants sit in the lower five figures. Recipients also recur across years, especially Catholic and Pittsburg-based organizations, which suggests relationship-based support rather than one-off transactions. The foundation is structured as a private family foundation and does not fund individuals. The grant history provided shows no program-related investments.
$4.1M
$80.3M
$9.3M
$5M
Most grants fall between $5K and $20K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$20K
About 42% of grants go to recipients in MO.
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Concentrated, transformational philanthropy: a very small number of large grants (multi-hundred-thousand to multi-million dollars), repeat support to the same religious and local higher-ed institutions, and project-specific capital or debt-reduction gifts rather than broad-based annual operating support across many organizations.
Notable grantees: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City, PSU Foundation / Pittsburg State University Foundation, Point Forward
Grantmaking is regional, but it is heavily concentrated in Kansas and nearby Missouri communities. Kansas is the top state by grant count, and 39% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Pittsburg appears frequently across the recent grants list, alongside Jefferson City and Columbia in Missouri and Wichita in Kansas. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 146 grants to U.S. organizations.
The recent grants show recurring support for Catholic parishes and diocesan education funds, Pittsburg State University-related projects, local schools, campus ministry, and community services such as food assistance and family support. Examples include a diocesan education fund, parish general support, a university athletics project, and a food bank grant.
Typical grant sizes are modest compared with the foundation’s largest awards: the p25 is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the p75 is $20,000. The recent record also includes much larger project grants, including seven-figure awards.
Yes. The grant history includes repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including annual general fund support to a Pittsburg parish and multiple grants to a Catholic diocese and a local Catholic school system.
Kansas is the top state by grant count, and 39% of grants go to recipients in Kansas. Recent recipient cities include Pittsburg and Wichita in Kansas, plus Jefferson City and Columbia in Missouri.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC CHURCH | PITTSBURG, KS | $1,000,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | PITTSBURG, KS | $801,000 | 2026 | INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS OPERATIONS |
| PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC | PITTSBURG, KS | $786,800 | 2026 | OUTDOOR TRACK FACILITY |
| POINT FORWARD INC | PITTSBURG, KS | $707,375 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ST MARY'S COLGAN | PITTSBURG, KS | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS | PITTSBURG, KS | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| THE FOOD BANK FOR CENTRAL & NORTHEAST MISSOURI | COLUMBIA, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| VOLUNTARY ACTION CENTER | COLUMBIA, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC STUDENT CENTER | PITTSBURG, KS | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GP MADE FOUNDATION | COLUMBIA, MO | $33,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT #250-PITTSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | PITTSBURG, KS | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| JOB POINT | COLUMBIA, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| KANSAS BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | WICHITA, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| VALLEY HOPE FOUNDATION | NORTON, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CRAWFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM | PITTSBURG, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| PAWPRINTS ON THE HEARTLAND | PITTSBURG, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI | COLUMBIA, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | SHOW ME STATE GAMES |
| STUDENT MOBILIZATION | CONWAY, AR | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| MID-MISSOURI HIGH STEPPERS | COLUMBIA, MO | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| HEART OF MISSOURI UNITED WAY | COLUMBIA, MO | $11,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| MISSOURI 4-H FOUNDATION | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| WOODHAVEN | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FAIR MISSOURI FOUNDATION | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS | PITTSBURG, KS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| LOVE COLUMBIA | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ST MARTIN'S ACADEMY | FORT SCOTT, KS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GREENHOUSE THEATRE PROJECT | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MISSOURI | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GREATER MISSOURI LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FIRST CHANCE FOR CHILDREN | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES INC | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2026 | DIOCESE OF WICHITA |
| PITTSBURG SUNRISE ROTARY FOUNDATION | PITTSBURG, KS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| PETER AND SUSAN BROWN FOUNDATION | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | ELLIS FISCHEL GALA SUMMER CELEBRATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI | COLUMBIA, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | THOMPSON CENTER STRATEGIC FUND |
| POINT FORWARD INC | PITTSBURG, KS | $9,025 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,800 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| LITTLE BALKANS DAYS FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION | PITTSBURG, KS | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| KC HEALTHY KIDS | KANSAS CITY, KS | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI & SOUTHEAST KANSAS | JOPLIN, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | COLUMBIA, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS | PITTSBURG, KS | $5,000 | 2026 | PITTSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION FUND |
| COLUMBIA ART LEAGUE | COLUMBIA, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ACT FOR ALEXANDRIA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | KATHY WILSON FOUNDATION |
| MOTHER TO MOTHER MINISTRY | PITTSBURG, KS | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY | PITTSBURG, KS | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - OZARK TRAILS COUNCIL | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| VIE MEDICAL CLINIC | PITTSBURG, KS | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC CHURCH
$1,000,000GENERAL
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS OPERATIONS
POINT FORWARD INC
$707,375GENERAL
ST MARY'S COLGAN
$100,000GENERAL
GENERAL
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC STUDENT CENTER
$50,000GENERAL
GP MADE FOUNDATION
$33,000GENERAL
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT #250-PITTSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$30,000GENERAL
CRAWFORD COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
$25,000GENERAL
PAWPRINTS ON THE HEARTLAND
$20,000GENERAL
THE SALVATION ARMY
$20,000GENERAL
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
$20,000SHOW ME STATE GAMES
STUDENT MOBILIZATION
$15,000GENERAL
MID-MISSOURI HIGH STEPPERS
$15,000GENERAL
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS
$10,000GENERAL
WOODHAVEN
$10,000GENERAL
FAIR MISSOURI FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL
ST MARTIN'S ACADEMY
$10,000GENERAL
GREENHOUSE THEATRE PROJECT
$10,000GENERAL
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MISSOURI
$10,000GENERAL
GREATER MISSOURI LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL
PITTSBURG SUNRISE ROTARY FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL
PETER AND SUSAN BROWN FOUNDATION
$10,000ELLIS FISCHEL GALA SUMMER CELEBRATION
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
$10,000THOMPSON CENTER STRATEGIC FUND
POINT FORWARD INC
$9,025GENERAL
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$7,800GENERAL
LITTLE BALKANS DAYS FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION
$7,500GENERAL
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI & SOUTHEAST KANSAS
$5,000GENERAL
COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL
PITTSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION FUND
COLUMBIA ART LEAGUE
$5,000GENERAL
MOTHER TO MOTHER MINISTRY
$2,500GENERAL
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY
$2,000GENERAL
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - OZARK TRAILS COUNCIL
$1,000GENERAL
VIE MEDICAL CLINIC
$1,000GENERAL