The Francis Family Foundation makes targeted, high-value gifts to local public media and civic information infrastructure; its single recorded grant is a six-figure, donor-designated gift to Kansas City PBS. The foundation appears to prioritize supporting local public television as a vehicle for education, culture, and community engagement, likely reflecting the interests or philanthropy of an individual donor (David V. Francis).
THE FRANCIS FAMILY FOUNDATION is based in Kansas City, MO. It gave $14,955,504 in annual grants and held $93,133,097 in total assets in the latest 990 year on file, 2025. Its giving is regional, and the available data show a concentration in Missouri, where it makes 66% of its grants and gives most often. The foundation’s documented funding spans local public broadcasting, civic and community media, arts and culture, early childhood education, and fellowship support for pulmonary research. Recent grants show a heavy emphasis on Kansas City institutions and research fellowships. The largest recorded grants include $301,000 to KCPBS - PUBLIC TELEVISION 19 INC for support designated by David V. Francis, $300,000 to KCPBS - PUBLIC TELEVISION 19 INC for general operating support, and $250,000 to UNITED PALESTINIAN APPEAL for general operating support. Other sizable awards include $250,000 to UNRWA USA and $242,500 to THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS AND MINIATURES.
Recent grantmaking spans local public broadcasting, arts and culture, and early childhood education. Notable grants include $300,000 to KCPBS - PUBLIC TELEVISION 19 INC for general operating support, $141,500 to NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART for general operating support, and $107,000 to NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART for school and educator programs. The foundation also funded $105,000 to Friends of the Zoo for general operating support and $111,250 to THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS & MINIATURES for general operating support. Beyond Kansas City, the data include fellowship support for pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at universities and research institutions.
THE FRANCIS FAMILY FOUNDATION’s typical grant size, based on the provided distribution, is $4,000 at the 25th percentile, $8,500 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent-grants file, however, shows many larger awards, including recurring six-figure gifts and fellowships. The foundation funds individuals and organizations, and its active programs include unsolicited applications for the PBF Summer Fellowship Program, the Small Arts Grants Program, the Parker B. Francis Fellowship Program, and Lifelong Learning / Family Giving Grants. Giving appears to be recurring, with awards recorded in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
$4.8M
$93.1M
$4.5M
$6.1M
Most grants fall between $4K and $30K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$30K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Francis Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 549 | $14.9M | 99.8% |
| 2 | Canada |
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Concentrated, large-dollar giving with donor-designated intent — a one-off, substantial gift to a single local public media organization rather than many small or diversified grants.
Notable grantees: KCPBS - Public Television 19, Inc.
THE FRANCIS FAMILY FOUNDATION gives most often in Missouri, which accounts for 66% of its grants. Other states appearing in the recent grants list include Washington, DC; California; Tennessee; Massachusetts; New York; Connecticut; Ohio; Washington; Pennsylvania; and North Carolina. The recipient-country distribution is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with 549 grants in the United States and 1 grant in Canada. Its headquarters are in Kansas City, MO, and many recent grants also went to Kansas City recipients.
Yes. The active program information says the PBF Summer Fellowship Program, Small Arts Grants Program, Parker B. Francis Fellowship Program, and Lifelong Learning / Family Giving Grants all accept unsolicited applications.
Its funded areas include local public broadcasting, arts and culture, early childhood education, school and educator programs, and fellowships for pulmonary research. Recent grant purposes include general operating support, discretionary awards, fellowship support, and support for school and educator programs.
The typical grant size data list a 25th percentile of $4,000, a median of $8,500, and a 75th percentile of $30,000. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, including several grants of $250,000 or more.
It is based in Kansas City, MO, and its giving is regional. Missouri is the state where it gives most often and receives 66% of its grants. Recent grants also went to recipients in Washington, DC; California; Tennessee; Massachusetts; New York; Connecticut; Ohio; Washington; Pennsylvania; and North Carolina.
Recent grants include KCPBS - PUBLIC TELEVISION 19 INC, UNRWA USA, UNITED PALESTINIAN APPEAL, THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS AND MINIATURES, STANFORD UNIVERSITY, GREATER KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, YALE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART, FRIENDS OF THE ZOO, and UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 1 |
| $75K |
0.2% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCPBS - PUBLIC TELEVISION 19 INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNRWA USA | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNITED PALESTINIAN APPEAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $207,500 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $170,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | SEATTLE, WA | $150,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART | KANSAS CITY, MO | $141,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $112,500 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| FRIENDS OF THE ZOO | KANSAS CITY, MO | $105,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RECONCILIATION SERVICES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA | IOWA CITY, IA | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| YALE UNIVERSITY | NEW HAVEN, CT | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | DURHAM, NC | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON | DALLAS, TX | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL | PROVIDENCE, RI | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| TEXAS BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER | DENVER, CO | $75,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| ANDERSON RANCH ARTS FOUNDATION | SNOWMASS VILLAGE, CO | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KANSAS UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT | LAWRENCE, KS | $51,186 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| KC GIRLS PREPARATORY ACADEMY FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNCORNERED | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART | LAWRENCE, KS | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ENGLEWOOD ARTS | INDEPENDENCE, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MINDDRIVE INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ARTSKC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $45,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MISSOURI BUDGET PROJECT | ST LOUIS, MO | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $37,500 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | GAINESVILLE, FL | $37,500 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY | PITTSBURGH, PA | $37,500 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $37,500 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY | RICHMOND, VA | $37,500 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP |
| THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS & MINIATURES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CASA DEL HERRERO | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YOUTH AMBASSADORS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERURBAN ARTHOUSE | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $33,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL & SCHOOL | ASPEN, CO | $31,750 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LATINX EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MISSOURI JOBS WITH JUSTICE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LYRIC OPERA OF KANSAS CITY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| URBAN RANGER CORPS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BETHEL NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER | KANSAS CITY, KS | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KANSAS ACTION FOR CHILDREN INC | TOPEKA, KS | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
KCPBS - PUBLIC TELEVISION 19 INC
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
$150,000FELLOWSHIP
NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART
$141,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
$112,500FELLOWSHIP
FRIENDS OF THE ZOO
$105,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO
$75,000FELLOWSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
$75,000FELLOWSHIP
SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$75,000FELLOWSHIP
YALE UNIVERSITY
$75,000FELLOWSHIP
DUKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
$75,000FELLOWSHIP
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON
$75,000FELLOWSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
$75,000FELLOWSHIP
TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
$75,000FELLOWSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
$75,000FELLOWSHIP
KANSAS UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT
$51,186FELLOWSHIP
UNCORNERED
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ENGLEWOOD ARTS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MINDDRIVE INC
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ARTSKC
$45,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
$37,500FELLOWSHIP
LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO
$37,500FELLOWSHIP
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
$37,500FELLOWSHIP
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS & MINIATURES
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YOUTH AMBASSADORS
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INTERURBAN ARTHOUSE
$33,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL & SCHOOL
$31,750GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LATINX EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MISSOURI JOBS WITH JUSTICE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
URBAN RANGER CORPS
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BETHEL NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT