The Sally Ann Firestone Foundation gives modest, locally focused operating support to Kansas City nonprofits, with a strong emphasis on education and human services for people with disabilities and special needs. Grants are often recurring and directed to community cultural institutions and faith-based ministries, suggesting a preference for sustaining core operations rather than project-specific funding. The foundation appears to prioritize organizations that serve vulnerable populations and strengthen civic life in Kansas City.
A defining pattern in Sally Ann Firestone Foundation grantmaking is repeat operating support for the same Kansas City organizations across multiple years. Kansas City Academy received $40,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for financial aid and operations, showing that the foundation does more than make one-time awards. The portfolio also includes steady support for disability services, cultural institutions, and faith-based ministries, with grants commonly aimed at keeping organizations functioning rather than funding isolated projects. That approach is visible in awards to Alphapointe, Developing Potential Inc, Folly Theatre, and Friends of the Zoo. The foundation’s largest recent grants also point to a preference for meaningful but modest institutional support. A $15,000 grant to Mccurdy Ministries in Atlanta stands out as the only recent award outside Missouri, while several Kansas City recipients received amounts in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. Across the recent grant list, the foundation appears to favor organizations serving students with learning differences, people with disabilities, and community-serving institutions rooted in local civic life.
Education is a clear theme in the foundation’s giving. Kansas City Academy received $40,000 in 2024 for financial aid and operations, and the same amount in 2023 for the same purpose, indicating sustained support for a school serving students with learning differences. Disability services are another central area. In 2023, Alphapointe received $10,000 for operations, followed by another $2,500 in 2024, while Developing Potential Inc received $7,500 in both 2023 and 2024. Those awards align with the foundation’s support for organizations working with people who have disabilities or visual impairment. The foundation also funds local cultural and community institutions. Folly Theatre received $5,000 in 2023 and $10,000 in 2024 for operations, and Friends of the Zoo received $5,000 in 2023 and $10,000 in 2024. This mix suggests attention to institutions that contribute to civic and cultural life in Kansas City.
Typical grants sit in a narrow band: the 25th percentile is $6,250, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $12,500. The recent record shows repeat awards to several recipients across 2023 and 2024, including Kansas City Academy, Developing Potential Inc, Friends of the Zoo, Folly Theatre, and Alphapointe. That pattern points to ongoing support rather than single-year project funding. The foundation funds individuals is false, and the available grants are all operating or financial-aid related awards rather than program-related investments.
$3.6M
$2.8M
$4.6M
$3.6M
Most grants fall between $6K and $13K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$13K
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Concentrated, local giving with multiple repeat, mid-sized operating grants; preference for sustaining core operations over one-off project grants.
Notable grantees: Kansas City Academy, Alphapointe, Friends of the Zoo, Folly Theatre, McCurdy Ministries
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 91% of grants went to recipients in Missouri, the foundation’s headquarters state. Most recent awards land in Kansas City, with additional support in Lee’s Summit, MO. Outside Missouri, one recent grant went to Atlanta, GA, which also aligns with Georgia being the top state by grant count. The recipient-country mix is otherwise entirely U.S.-based, with 11 grants in the United States.
The recent grants show support for schools serving students with learning differences, disability and vocational services, local cultural institutions, urban attractions, and faith-based ministries. Kansas City Academy, Alphapointe, Developing Potential Inc, Folly Theatre, Friends of the Zoo, and Mccurdy Ministries all appear in the recent grant list.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including Kansas City Academy, Developing Potential Inc, Friends of the Zoo, Folly Theatre, and Alphapointe. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing support rather than one-off grants.
The grant-size distribution is fairly tight: the 25th percentile is $6,250, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $12,500. Recent awards mostly fall within that range, with a few larger grants such as $40,000.
Most grants go to Missouri recipients, with 91% of grants landing in the HQ state. Recent Missouri recipients include organizations in Kansas City and Lee’s Summit, while one recent out-of-state grant went to Atlanta, GA.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREATER KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $831,715 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| CROSSLINES COMMUNITY OUTREACH | KANSAS CITY, KS | $262,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| KANSAS CITY ACADEMY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $262,500 | 2026 | FINANCIAL AID/OPERATIONS |
| HARVESTERS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $201,250 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| RESTART | KANSAS CITY, MO | $183,750 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES | ATLANTA, GA | $118,125 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| KANSAS CITY PBS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $105,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| INSPIRATION MINISTRIES - WALWORTH | WALWORTH, WI | $105,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| CRAIG HOSPITAL | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $105,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| SAINT PAUL SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY | LEAWOOD, KS | $78,750 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| GARRETT-EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | EVANSTON, IL | $78,750 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $78,750 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | ROSEVILLE, MI | $75,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| FOLLY THEATRE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $72,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MISSOURI | KANSAS CITY, MO | $70,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| MISSOURIANS TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $60,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| MOBILITY WORLDWIDE MO - COLUMBIA | COLUMBIA, MO | $52,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN JAZZ MUSEUM | KANSAS CITY, MO | $52,500 | 2026 | FINANCIAL AID/OPERATIONS |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | DETROIT, MI | $52,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $52,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| UMKC FOUNDATIONJAZZ LEGACY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $52,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| KKFI COMMUNITY RADIO | KANSAS CITY, MO | $52,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| KC SHEPHERD'S CENTER | KANSAS CITY, MO | $52,500 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| POMME DE TERRE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | HERMITAGE, MO | $45,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| MCCURDY MINISTRIES | ESPANOLA, NM | $39,375 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| CHRISTIAN MINSTRIES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS | GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | $39,375 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| LAZARUS MINISTRIES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $39,375 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF MO | TOPEKA, KS | $26,250 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| ABILITY KC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $26,250 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| SHEPHERD'S CENTERS OF AMERICA | KANSAS CITY, MO | $26,250 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| INCLUSION CONNECTIONS | OLATHE, KS | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| HERMITAGE SPIRITUAL RETREAT CENTERLEGACY FUND | PITTSBURG, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| MATTIE RHODES CENTER | KANSAS CITY, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| FOSTER ADOPT CONNECT | INDEPENDENCE, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| ARTISTS HELPING THE HOMELESS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| SAVE INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| JOURNEY TO NEW LIFE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| EMPOWER MISSOURI | JEFFERSON CITY, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| REDISCOVER | LEES SUMMIT, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| ADVOCATES FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RECONCILIATION (AIRR) | KANSAS CITY, KS | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| THE RABBIT HOLE | NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| SUMMIT FUTURE FOUNDATION | BLUE SPRINGS, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| WELCOME HOUSE | WESTLAKE, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| KANSAS CITY AREA YOUTH JAZZ | KANSAS CITY, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| HEARTLAND SPECIAL NEEDS FOUNDATION | OLATHE, KS | $10,000 | 2026 | OPERATIONS |
| GREATER KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,811,199 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| KANSAS CITY ACADEMY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $506,250 | 2025 | FINANCIAL AID/OPERATIONS |
| KINGSWOOD FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $506,250 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| CROSSLINES COMMUNITY OUTREACH | KANSAS CITY, KS | $506,250 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| RESTART | KANSAS CITY, MO | $354,375 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
KANSAS CITY ACADEMY
$262,500FINANCIAL AID/OPERATIONS
UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES
OPERATIONS
KANSAS CITY PBS
$105,000OPERATIONS
INSPIRATION MINISTRIES - WALWORTH
$105,000OPERATIONS
SAINT PAUL SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
$78,750OPERATIONS
GARRETT-EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$78,750OPERATIONS
TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$75,000OPERATIONS
FOLLY THEATRE
$72,500OPERATIONS
MISSOURIANS TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY
$60,000OPERATIONS
MOBILITY WORLDWIDE MO - COLUMBIA
$52,500OPERATIONS
AMERICAN JAZZ MUSEUM
$52,500FINANCIAL AID/OPERATIONS
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$52,500OPERATIONS
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
$52,500OPERATIONS
UMKC FOUNDATIONJAZZ LEGACY
$52,500OPERATIONS
KKFI COMMUNITY RADIO
$52,500OPERATIONS
KC SHEPHERD'S CENTER
$52,500OPERATIONS
POMME DE TERRE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$45,000OPERATIONS
MCCURDY MINISTRIES
$39,375OPERATIONS
CHRISTIAN MINSTRIES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS
$39,375OPERATIONS
LAZARUS MINISTRIES
$39,375OPERATIONS
BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF MO
$26,250OPERATIONS
SHEPHERD'S CENTERS OF AMERICA
$26,250OPERATIONS
HERMITAGE SPIRITUAL RETREAT CENTERLEGACY FUND
$20,000OPERATIONS
ARTISTS HELPING THE HOMELESS
$20,000OPERATIONS
JOURNEY TO NEW LIFE
$20,000OPERATIONS
REDISCOVER
$20,000OPERATIONS
ADVOCATES FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND RECONCILIATION (AIRR)
$20,000OPERATIONS
SUMMIT FUTURE FOUNDATION
$20,000OPERATIONS
WELCOME HOUSE
$10,000OPERATIONS
KANSAS CITY AREA YOUTH JAZZ
$10,000OPERATIONS
HEARTLAND SPECIAL NEEDS FOUNDATION
$10,000OPERATIONS
KANSAS CITY ACADEMY
$506,250FINANCIAL AID/OPERATIONS
KINGSWOOD FOUNDATION
$506,250OPERATIONS