The Kenney Charitable Foundation makes concentrated, mid-sized general operating grants to community institutions that preserve local history and provide faith-linked social services and housing supports. Their giving favors a small portfolio of repeat and flagship grantees—particularly a national museum—alongside faith-based service providers and transitional housing programs. Grants are unrestricted and aimed at sustaining organizational capacity rather than project-by-project funding.
Concentrated portfolio of a few mid-size unrestricted grants; repeat funding to at least one museum recipient and support focused on organizational sustainability rather than many small one-off gifts.
A repeated pattern defines Norma J and William J Kenney Charitable: general operating grants to preserve local institutions and support basic social services. The largest recent award in the file was $40,000 to Interfaith Community Services for general operating support, alongside another six-figure-scale cluster of grants concentrated around St. Joseph, Missouri. The foundation’s portfolio includes a national museum, food assistance groups, transitional housing providers, and arts organizations, suggesting a preference for sustaining organizations that already anchor community life rather than funding narrow projects. Their recent grants also show a recurring commitment to the Pony Express National Museum, which received $34,000 in 2023 and $26,450 in 2024. That same operating-support approach appears across faith-linked service providers and local cultural groups, including Sisters of Solace, YWCA, and several St. Joseph arts and heritage organizations. The grant list points to a funder that uses unrestricted support to reinforce organizational stability across a compact set of nonprofits.
Historic and cultural institutions are a clear thread in the grant list. The foundation gave $34,000 in 2023 and $26,450 in 2024 to Pony Express National Museum for general operating support, and also supported Albrechtkemper Museum of Art with $10,000 in 2024 and $5,000 in 2023. Faith-based service work is another consistent area. Interfaith Community Services received $40,000 in 2024 for general operating support, while Sisters of Solace received $9,225 in 2023 and $5,000 in 2024. The YWCA also appears twice, with $10,000 in 2024 and $5,000 in 2023. The foundation also backs housing and food-security organizations. Pivotal Point Transitional Housing received $25,000 in 2023 and $10,000 in 2024, while Second Harvest Community Food Bank received $15,000 in 2024 and $10,000 in 2023.
Typical awards are mid-sized: the p25 grant is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $8,196. That distribution fits a grantmaker that uses repeated operating grants at a fairly tight range, with a few larger awards at the top end. The recent list also shows repeat funding to the same organizations across 2023 and 2024, including multiple recipients that appear more than once, which points to ongoing support rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is not a funder of individuals and does not make program-related investments. The available data shows general operating support as the consistent grant form.
$173K
$3.9M
$220K
$241K
Most grants fall between $3K and $8K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$8K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in MO.
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Notable grantees: Pony Express National Museum, Interfaith Community Services, Pivotal Point Transitional Housing
Grant dollars are heavily concentrated in Missouri, and the recipient list is especially centered in St. Joseph and Saint Joseph, with additional Missouri grants in Stewartsville and Stanberry. Outside Missouri, the foundation gave to Tucson, Arizona; Washington, DC; and Florien, Louisiana. All recent grants in the file went to US recipients. Although the foundation is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, only 2% of grants went to recipients in Wisconsin.
The foundation’s recent grants are overwhelmingly general operating awards. The list includes museums, food banks, transitional housing, faith-based service groups, and arts organizations, with the common thread being unrestricted support for organizational stability rather than project-specific funding.
The grant-size distribution is tightly clustered: p25 is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and p75 is $8,196. Recent awards range from smaller $3,350 and $4,500 grants up to a $40,000 grant.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including Pony Express National Museum, Pivotal Point Transitional Housing, Second Harvest Community Food Bank, Sisters of Solace, and the YWCA. That pattern suggests recurring operating support.
Missouri is the top state by grant count. The recent grant list is concentrated in St. Joseph and Saint Joseph, with additional Missouri recipients in Stewartsville and Stanberry.
The recent grants include cultural institutions such as Pony Express National Museum and Albrechtkemper Museum of Art, social-service groups such as Interfaith Community Services and Crossing Outreach, and housing or basic-needs organizations such as Pivotal Point Transitional Housing and food kitchens in St. Joseph.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PONY EXPRESS NATIONAL MUSEUM | ST JOSEPH, MO | $65,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEARTLAND FOUNDATION | ST JOSEPH, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SECOND HARVEST COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALLIED ARTS COUNCIL OF ST JOSEPH | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $9,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EVOLUTION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | ST JOSEPH, MO | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CROSSING OUTREACH | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MISSION HOUSE COVENANT COMMUNITY LIFE RE | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SISTERS OF SOLACE | ST JOSEPH, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PIVOTAL POINT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING | ST JOSEPH, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NOYES HOME FOR CHILDREN | ST JOSEPH, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST JOSEPH SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC | ST JOSEPH, MO | $4,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER INC | ST JOSEPH, MO | $3,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NE KS & NW MO | KANSAS CITY, MO | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST JOSEPH HISTORICAL SOCIETY | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | IRVING, TX | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EVOLUTION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | ST JOSEPH, MO | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PONY EXPRESS MUSEUM | ST JOSEPH, MO | $27,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEARTLAND FOUNDATION | ST JOSEPH, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SECOND HARVEST COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | ST JOSEPH, MO | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YWCA OF ST JOSEPH | ST JOSEPH, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION OF GREATER ST J | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OPEN DOOR FOOD KITCHEN | STJOSEPH, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| KING HILL CEMETERY PRESERVATION CORP | ST JOSEPH, MO | $9,389 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF KC NWMO | ST JOSEPH, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SISTERS OF SOLACE | ST JOSEPH, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MISSION HOUSE COVENANT COMMUNITY | ST JOSEPH, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST JOSEPH SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC | ST JOSEPH, MO | $4,900 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PIVOTAL POINT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING | ST JOSEPH, MO | $4,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NWMO | STANBERRY, MO | $3,616 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER INC | ST JOSEPH, MO | $3,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NE KS & NW MO | KANSAS CITY, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF ST JOSEPH | ST JOSEPH, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE CHRISTIAN KEYS FELLOWSHIP | ST JOSEPH, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PONY EXPRESS COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS | ST JOSEPH, MO | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRIENDS OF THE MISSOURI THEATER | ST JOSEPH, MO | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES | TUCSON, AZ | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PONY EXPRESS NATIONAL MUSEUM | ST JOSEPH, MO | $26,450 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SECOND HARVEST COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YWCA | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALBRECHTKEMPER MUSEUM OF ART | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PIVOTAL POINT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING | ST JOSEPH, MO | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SPIRITHORSE THERAPEUTIC- RIDING CENTER | STEWARTSVILLE, MO | $7,166 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER FOOD KITCHEN | ST JOSEPH, MO | $5,350 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OPEN DOOR FOOD KITCHEN OF ST JOSEPH | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $5,350 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF KC NWMO | ST JOSEPH, MO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NWMO | STANBERRY, MO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CROSSING OUTREACH | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST JOSEPH SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC | ST JOSEPH, MO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING |
PONY EXPRESS NATIONAL MUSEUM
$65,000GENERAL OPERATING
HEARTLAND FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
ALLIED ARTS COUNCIL OF ST JOSEPH
$9,500GENERAL OPERATING
EVOLUTION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING
CROSSING OUTREACH
$6,000GENERAL OPERATING
MISSION HOUSE COVENANT COMMUNITY LIFE RE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
SISTERS OF SOLACE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
PIVOTAL POINT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
NOYES HOME FOR CHILDREN
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST JOSEPH SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC
$4,500GENERAL OPERATING
SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER INC
$3,500GENERAL OPERATING
GIRL SCOUTS OF NE KS & NW MO
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
ST JOSEPH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING
EVOLUTION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$55,000GENERAL OPERATING
PONY EXPRESS MUSEUM
$27,000GENERAL OPERATING
HEARTLAND FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION OF GREATER ST J
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
OPEN DOOR FOOD KITCHEN
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
KING HILL CEMETERY PRESERVATION CORP
$9,389GENERAL OPERATING
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF KC NWMO
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
SISTERS OF SOLACE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
MISSION HOUSE COVENANT COMMUNITY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST JOSEPH SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC
$4,900GENERAL OPERATING
PIVOTAL POINT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
$4,500GENERAL OPERATING
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NWMO
$3,616GENERAL OPERATING
SAMARITAN COUNSELING CENTER INC
$3,500GENERAL OPERATING
GIRL SCOUTS OF NE KS & NW MO
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF ST JOSEPH
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
THE CHRISTIAN KEYS FELLOWSHIP
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
PONY EXPRESS COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRIENDS OF THE MISSOURI THEATER
$1,500GENERAL OPERATING
PONY EXPRESS NATIONAL MUSEUM
$26,450GENERAL OPERATING
YWCA
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
PIVOTAL POINT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
SPIRITHORSE THERAPEUTIC- RIDING CENTER
$7,166GENERAL OPERATING
VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER FOOD KITCHEN
$5,350GENERAL OPERATING
OPEN DOOR FOOD KITCHEN OF ST JOSEPH
$5,350GENERAL OPERATING
AMERICAN RED CROSS OF KC NWMO
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NWMO
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
CROSSING OUTREACH
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST JOSEPH SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING