The Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation is a locally focused funder that concentrates its giving in Hays/Ellis County, KS, with major investments in Fort Hays State University athletics infrastructure and support for local historical/cultural institutions. Grants are sizable and targeted toward capital or major operational needs rather than a broad portfolio of small awards, indicating a preference for visible, place-based projects that strengthen community institutions.
A repeated commitment to Fort Hays State University’s football facility defines the Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation’s recent grantmaking: the foundation awarded $500,000 for that project in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern sits alongside other large, place-based gifts in Hays and Ellis County, showing a funder that concentrates on institutional projects with visible local impact. The Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation’s grants also support community anchors beyond athletics. Ellis County Historical Society received $350,000 for general operations in both 2024 and 2025, and the FHSU Foundation also received support for the Schmidt Foundation Scholars and the Center for Art & Design. These awards suggest a portfolio built around higher education, cultural preservation, and civic infrastructure rather than a broad spread of small discretionary grants. Recent grants include operating support, pledge payments, and targeted project funding. The foundation also shows an interest in long-term capacity, with awards that back scholarships, facility development, and ongoing institutional needs. Its giving is tightly tied to Hays and nearby communities, especially organizations that serve students, local history, and regional public life.
Higher education is a central theme in the Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation’s giving. The FHSU Foundation received $300,000 in 2023 for the Schmidt Foundation Scholars - 2023 Pledge and $250,000 in 2025 for the Center for Art & Design, showing support for both student aid and campus development. Athletics infrastructure is another visible priority: the foundation gave $500,000 to the FHSU Foundation for the football facility in multiple years. Beyond the university, the foundation backs local civic institutions with operating support. Ellis County Historical Society received $350,000 in 2024 and $350,000 in 2025 for general operations. The foundation also funded community service capacity through $250,000 to Kvc Foundation for Camber Mental Health in 2023, indicating support for mental health programming alongside education and culture.
Typical grant size sits at $6,500 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent grant list shows a separate tier of much larger, targeted awards. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including FHSU Foundation, Ellis County Historical Society, Kvc Foundation, Grow Hays, Dsnwk, and High Plains Mental Health Center, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is a private family foundation and does not make program-related investments. It also funds individuals. The pattern in the grants data mixes operating support, pledges in full, and project-specific awards, with an emphasis on recurring institutional commitments.
$3.9M
$65.6M
$6.2M
$4.7M
Most grants fall between $7K and $40K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$40K
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Concentrated, large gifts to a very small number of local beneficiaries — repeat, multi-grant support for a flagship university foundation and multi-year support for a county historical organization.
Notable grantees: FHSU FOUNDATION, ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Local Hays/Ellis County nonprofit organizations (representative)
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Kansas-centered: 82% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top giving state is Kansas. Hays appears frequently, with recipients such as FHSU Foundation, Ellis County Historical Society, Dsnwk, Grow Hays, Link Inc, TMP-Marian, and High Plains Mental Health Center all receiving support there. Other Kansas recipients include Olathe, Bird City, Victoria, La Crosse, Manhattan, and Salina. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 259 grants to U.S. recipients.
The grants data centers on higher education, athletics infrastructure, local history, mental health services, and civic or cultural institutions. Examples include support for the FHSU Foundation for a football facility and the Center for Art & Design, plus operating support for Ellis County Historical Society and High Plains Mental Health Center.
The typical grant size is $6,500 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include several much larger commitments, including $500,000 gifts and $350,000 operating grants.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear in more than one year, including FHSU Foundation, Ellis County Historical Society, Kvc Foundation, Grow Hays, Dsnwk, and High Plains Mental Health Center. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
Giving is concentrated in Kansas, which is both the top state by grant count and the state receiving 82% of grants. Within Kansas, Hays is a recurring recipient city, along with Olathe, Bird City, Victoria, La Crosse, Manhattan, and Salina.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAYS ARTS COUNCIL | HAYS, KS | $333,333 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HAYS ARTS COUNCIL | HAYS, KS | $333,333 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FHSU FOUNDATION | HAYS, KS | $300,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FORT HAYS TECH NORTH CENTRAL FOUNDATION | HAYS, KS | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HIGH PLAINS MENTAL HEALTH CENTER | HAYS, KS | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KVC FOUNDATION | OLATHE, KS | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FHSU FOUNDATION | HAYS, KS | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HIGH PLAINS MENTAL HEALTH CENTER | HAYS, KS | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GROW HAYS INC | HAYS, KS | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DSNWK | HAYS, KS | $170,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | HAYS, KS | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TMP-MARIAN HIGH | HAYS, KS | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BARTON COMM COLLEGE FOUNDATION | GREAT BEND, KS | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MANHATTAN, KS | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HUTCHINSON COMM COLLEGE ENDOW FOUND | HUTCHINSON, KS | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY FOUND | SALINA, KS | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GREAT BEND CHAMBER FOUNDATION | GREAT BEND, KS | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NORTH PLATTE COMM COLLEGE FOUNDATION | NORTH PLATTE, NE | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHADRON STATE FOUNDATION | CHADRON, NE | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HAYS MED FOUNDATION | HAYS, KS | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FH TECH NORTH CENTRAL FOUNDATION | HAYS, KS | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OREGON TRAIL FOUNDATION INC | SCOTTSBLUFF, NE | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EISENHOWER FOUNDATION | ABILENE, KS | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NORTHERN KANSAS | SALINA, KS | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FHSU FOUNDATION | HAYS, KS | $26,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS | COTTONWOOD FALLS, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GREATER NW KS COMM FOUND | BIRD CITY, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GROW HAYS INC | HAYS, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WICHITA, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WOMEN WHO LEAD | HAYS, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VALLEY HOPE ASSOCIATION | NORTON, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER | HAYS, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MANHATTAN CHAMBER FOUNDATION | MANHATTAN, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HAYS MED FOUNDATION | HAYS, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CREATIVITY UNLIMITED ARTS COUNCIL | NORTH PLATTE, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MANHATTAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | MANHATTAN, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NAMI HAYS | HAYS, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CANCER COUNCIL OF ELLIS COUNTY | HAYS, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNITED WAY OF ELLIS COUNTY | HAYS, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ALLIED ARTS COUNCIL OF ST JOSEPH MO | ST JOSEPH, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| USD 388 EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ELLIS, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNITED WAY OF RENO COUNTY | HUTCHINSON, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | HAYS, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| RENO COUNTY COMMUNITIES THAT CARE ASSOCIATION | HUTCHINSON, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LINCOLN COUNTY CASA | NORTH PLATTE, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MAIN STREET SAINT JOSEPH | ST JOSEPH, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HAYS ARTS COUNCIL | HAYS, KS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ABILENE & SMOKY VALLEY RAILROAD ASSOC | ABILENE, KS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HAYS MED FOUNDATION | HAYS, KS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
HAYS ARTS COUNCIL
$333,333GENERAL OPERATIONS
HAYS ARTS COUNCIL
$333,333GENERAL OPERATIONS
FORT HAYS TECH NORTH CENTRAL FOUNDATION
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HIGH PLAINS MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
KVC FOUNDATION
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HIGH PLAINS MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GROW HAYS INC
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
DSNWK
$170,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$100,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
TMP-MARIAN HIGH
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BARTON COMM COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$40,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HUTCHINSON COMM COLLEGE ENDOW FOUND
$40,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY FOUND
$40,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GREAT BEND CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$40,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
NORTH PLATTE COMM COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$40,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HAYS MED FOUNDATION
$40,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FH TECH NORTH CENTRAL FOUNDATION
$40,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
OREGON TRAIL FOUNDATION INC
$40,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GREATER NW KS COMM FOUND
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GROW HAYS INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
WOMEN WHO LEAD
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
VALLEY HOPE ASSOCIATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MANHATTAN CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HAYS MED FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CREATIVITY UNLIMITED ARTS COUNCIL
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MANHATTAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
NAMI HAYS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CANCER COUNCIL OF ELLIS COUNTY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
UNITED WAY OF ELLIS COUNTY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ALLIED ARTS COUNCIL OF ST JOSEPH MO
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
USD 388 EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
RENO COUNTY COMMUNITIES THAT CARE ASSOCIATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LINCOLN COUNTY CASA
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MAIN STREET SAINT JOSEPH
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HAYS ARTS COUNCIL
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ABILENE & SMOKY VALLEY RAILROAD ASSOC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HAYS MED FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS