The Sherman Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on improving urban K–12 education in the Kansas City area, supporting both a major local university (UMKC) and a community-wide school improvement intermediary (SchoolSmart KC). Grants are large and program-focused, aimed at systemic improvements rather than small direct-service projects. The foundation appears to prefer working through institutional partners to support urban education initiatives and district-wide school improvement efforts.
The Sherman Family Foundation C/o Mary N Sherman repeatedly backs Kansas City education institutions at a scale that reaches into the six-figure range, with the largest recent award going to UMKC Foundation for $640,127 to support urban education. Across the recent grants, the pattern is not scattered charity; it is sustained institutional funding for urban K–12 improvement, teacher preparation, and school support centered in the Kansas City metro. A second major thread is multi-year support for SchoolSmart KC, which received $508,143 in 2025 and $123,000 in 2024 for wide-based efforts to improve area schools and needed support. The foundation also gives repeated, substantial awards to accredited schools and education intermediaries, including Cristo Rey Kansas City, Rockhurst High School, and Teach for America, suggesting a preference for partners that can operate at district or system level. Early childhood education, postsecondary access, and youth enrichment also appear, but education remains the clearest throughline in the grant record.
Urban K–12 school improvement is the clearest area of focus. The foundation gave $508,143 to SchoolSmart KC in 2025 to support wide-based efforts to improve area schools, and $123,000 to School Smart in 2024 for needed support. UMKC Foundation also received $275,494 in 2025 and $640,127 in 2024 to support urban education. Teacher preparation is another recurring theme. In 2023, Kansas City Teacher Residency received $232,500 for teacher training programs, and Teach for America received $220,000 in 2023, $160,000 in 2024, and $150,000 in 2025 to promote teacher training and support education programs. Early childhood education appears through Operation Breakthrough, which received $198,569 in 2023, $182,580 in 2024, and $185,892 in 2025. The foundation also supported Earlystart St Mark with $125,000 in 2023 for early childhood education.
Typical grants sit in the middle of a broad six-figure range, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $20,000, and a p75 of $50,000. The recent-grant record shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including UMKC Foundation, Cristo Rey Kansas City, Rockhurst High School, Operation Breakthrough, Teach for America, Metropolitan Community College Foundation, and National World War I Museum and Memorial. That suggests ongoing institutional relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation gives from a family foundation structure, funds individuals, and does not make program-related investments.
$5.5M
$39.7M
$6.7M
$6.3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 21% of grants go to recipients in MO.
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Concentrated, large gifts to a small number of local education institutions; repeat funding to UMKC and single substantial grant to a regional school-improvement organization.
Notable grantees: UMKC Foundation, SchoolSmart KC
Giving is heavily concentrated in the Kansas City metro, with many grants landing in Kansas City, MO and a smaller set in nearby North Kansas City, MO and Warrensburg, MO. Missouri is the top state by grant count, and 21% of grants go to recipients in Kansas. All grants in the provided recent-grant record are in the United States. The recipient pattern points to a regional funder whose dollars mostly stay close to its Kansas City-area education partners.
The recent grants show support for universities, charter and accredited schools, teacher-training organizations, early childhood programs, and youth-serving intermediaries. Examples include UMKC Foundation, Cristo Rey Kansas City, Rockhurst High School, Teach for America, and Operation Breakthrough.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered in the tens of thousands: p25 is $10,000, median is $20,000, and p75 is $50,000. Recent awards also include several six-figure grants, showing that larger institutional gifts are part of the pattern.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including UMKC Foundation, Cristo Rey Kansas City, Rockhurst High School, Operation Breakthrough, Teach for America, Metropolitan Community College Foundation, and National World War I Museum and Memorial. That points to continuing relationships rather than isolated awards.
Most grants go to Missouri recipients, especially organizations in Kansas City, MO. Kansas City, MO appears repeatedly across the recent-grant list, while Missouri is the top state by grant count and 21% of grants go to recipients in Kansas.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCHOOLSMART KC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $508,143 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT WIDE-BASED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AREA SCHOOLS. |
| CRISTO REY KANSAS CITY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $450,408 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL. |
| ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $351,012 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL. |
| UMKC FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $275,494 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT URBAN EDUCATION. |
| THE RABBIT HOLE | NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO | $250,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S LITERATURE. |
| OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $185,892 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | KANSAS CITY, MO | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND PROMOTE TEACHER TRAINING. |
| NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $120,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH. |
| CORNERSTONES OF CARE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $100,595 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT A NON-TRADITIONAL ACCREDITED SCHOOL. |
| WELCOME HOUSE INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $100,594 | 2025 | PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL AND RECOVERY SERVICES FOR MEN. |
| TNTP OPPORTUNITY ACCELERATOR | KANSAS CITY, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS. |
| SALVATION ARMY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THEIR OUTREACH TO UNDERSERVED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. |
| EARLYSTART | KANSAS CITY, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. |
| THE EDUCATOR ACADEMY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $90,372 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND PROMOTE TEACHER TRAINING. |
| TEACHERS LIKE ME | LEES SUMMIT, MO | $90,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE HOUSING SUPPORT FOR EARLY SERVING BLACK TEACHERS. |
| GKCCF - HISPANIC DEVELOPMENT FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $81,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE NEED-BASED POST-SECONDARY SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| HARMONY PROJECT KC NECC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $80,526 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERSERVED STUDENTS USING MUSIC AS A CATALYST. |
| AMETHYST PLACE | KANSAS CITY, MA | $80,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A HOUSING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN RECOVERING FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND/OR TRAUMA. |
| RECONCILIATION SERVICES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $75,570 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THROUGH COMMUNITY INITIATIVES. |
| EMMANUEL FAMILY & CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER | KANSAS CITY, MO | $75,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. |
| THE FAMILY CONSERVANCY | KANSAS CITY, KS | $75,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS. |
| GREAT JOBS KC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $70,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER TRAINING. |
| NOTRE DAME DE SION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $69,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL. |
| UNITED WAY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. |
| PALESTINE VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT SENIOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR THE UNDERSERVED. |
| NELSON ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EXPANSION OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. |
| BISHOP WARD HIGH SCHOOL | KANSAS CITY, KS | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL. |
| PREP KC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS. |
| GREENLIGHT FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT. |
| KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF COMMUNITY INTEREST IN ORCHESTRAL MUSIC. |
| BISHOP MIEGE FOUNDATION | SHAWNEE MISSION, KS | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL. |
| CHILD PROTECTION CENTER | KANSAS CITY, MO | $49,524 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO PREVENT, IDENTIFY AND TREAT CHILD ABUSE. |
| CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED | KANSAS CITY, MO | $48,000 | 2025 | PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL CARE TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. |
| FIRE FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $40,000 | 2025 | TO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. |
| HARRY S TRUMAN LIBRARY INSTITUTE | INDEPENCE, MO | $40,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH. |
| ACCELERATED SCHOOLS OF OVERLAND PARK | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $40,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT A NON-TRADITIONAL, ACCREDITED SCHOOL. |
| UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI | WARRENSBURG, MO | $39,438 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TEACHER PREPARATION AND TRAINING. |
| SHOW ME KC SCHOOLS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $37,500 | 2025 | TO INFORM PARENTS AND STUDENTS ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICES. |
| PRE-K COOPERATIVE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMMING. |
| GKCCF - HISPANIC DEVELOPMENT FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | TO IMPROVE EDUCATOR RETENTION AT ACCREDITED SCHOOLS. |
| CHILDRENS MERCY HOSPITAL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $34,800 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S EDUCATION DURING HOSPITALIZATION. |
| ELLIS FOUNDATION | FORT SCOTT, KS | $32,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR COLLEGIATES. |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH. |
| TURN THE PAGE KC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS. |
| HIGH ASPIRATIONS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $27,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT MENTORING OF AFRICAN AMERICAN BOYS. |
| YOUTH AMBASSADORS INC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $27,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH. |
| OUR LADY OF UNITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL | KANSAS CITY, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT FAITH-CENTERED EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL. |
| FRONT PORCH ALLIANCE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR THE UNDERSERVED. |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER KANSAS CITY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH. |
| MS SOCIETY KC BIKE RIDE | LEAWOOD, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT NATIONAL MS SOCIETY THROUGH ANNUAL BIKE RIDE. |
SCHOOLSMART KC
$508,143TO SUPPORT WIDE-BASED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AREA SCHOOLS.
ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL
$351,012TO FURTHER EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL.
THE RABBIT HOLE
$250,000TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S LITERATURE.
TO SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
TEACH FOR AMERICA
$150,000TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND PROMOTE TEACHER TRAINING.
TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH.
TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT A NON-TRADITIONAL ACCREDITED SCHOOL.
TNTP OPPORTUNITY ACCELERATOR
$100,000TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS.
SALVATION ARMY
$100,000TO SUPPORT THEIR OUTREACH TO UNDERSERVED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND PROMOTE TEACHER TRAINING.
TO PROVIDE HOUSING SUPPORT FOR EARLY SERVING BLACK TEACHERS.
GKCCF - HISPANIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
$81,000TO PROVIDE NEED-BASED POST-SECONDARY SCHOLARSHIPS.
HARMONY PROJECT KC NECC
$80,526TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERSERVED STUDENTS USING MUSIC AS A CATALYST.
TO SUPPORT A HOUSING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN RECOVERING FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND/OR TRAUMA.
TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THROUGH COMMUNITY INITIATIVES.
TO SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER TRAINING.
NOTRE DAME DE SION
$69,000TO FURTHER EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL.
UNITED WAY
$50,000TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
PALESTINE VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$50,000TO SUPPORT SENIOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR THE UNDERSERVED.
NELSON ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART
$50,000TO SUPPORT EXPANSION OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.
BISHOP WARD HIGH SCHOOL
$50,000TO FURTHER EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL.
GREENLIGHT FUND
$50,000TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF COMMUNITY INTEREST IN ORCHESTRAL MUSIC.
BISHOP MIEGE FOUNDATION
$50,000TO FURTHER EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL.
TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO PREVENT, IDENTIFY AND TREAT CHILD ABUSE.
CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
$48,000PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL CARE TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
FIRE FOUNDATION
$40,000TO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.
HARRY S TRUMAN LIBRARY INSTITUTE
$40,000TO SUPPORT EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
ACCELERATED SCHOOLS OF OVERLAND PARK
$40,000TO SUPPORT A NON-TRADITIONAL, ACCREDITED SCHOOL.
TO SUPPORT TEACHER PREPARATION AND TRAINING.
PRE-K COOPERATIVE
$35,000TO SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMMING.
GKCCF - HISPANIC DEVELOPMENT FUND
$35,000TO IMPROVE EDUCATOR RETENTION AT ACCREDITED SCHOOLS.
TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S EDUCATION DURING HOSPITALIZATION.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
$30,000TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH.
TURN THE PAGE KC
$30,000TO SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH.
OUR LADY OF UNITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$25,000TO SUPPORT FAITH-CENTERED EDUCATION AT AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL.
FRONT PORCH ALLIANCE
$25,000TO SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR THE UNDERSERVED.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER KANSAS CITY
$25,000TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH.
MS SOCIETY KC BIKE RIDE
$25,000SUPPORT NATIONAL MS SOCIETY THROUGH ANNUAL BIKE RIDE.