The Stowers Foundation concentrates its giving on a small number of large, repeat commitments, primarily supporting biomedical research and local Kansas City community services. Major grants fund institutional core needs (general operations and endowments) and support science communication/outreach at the Stowers Institute, with additional legacy gifts to neighborhood social service organizations.
The Stowers Foundation’s recent giving is marked by a small set of repeated, large commitments, with several seven-figure grants concentrated in Kansas City institutions. A defining pattern is support for the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, where multiple awards funded communication and outreach activities at the school across 2023, 2024, and 2025. Another major recurring recipient is the Vpkjl Fund, which received several large grants for general operations. The foundation also makes sizable, multi-year commitments to local service providers, including Operation Breakthrough, which received support for general operations, capital campaign needs, and an endowment gift in honor of Sisters Berta and Corita. In addition to those anchor relationships, The Stowers Foundation backs education and pediatric health initiatives in the Kansas City area, including school operations and a pediatric genomic project at Children’s Mercy Hospital. The overall picture is one of concentrated institutional support, with repeat grants that often cover core needs rather than short-term project funding.
In biomedical research and science communication, The Stowers Foundation gave multiple grants of more than $1 million to Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City for communication and outreach activities at the school. In pediatric genomics, it awarded $500,000 grants to Children’s Mercy Hospital for the Kids First Pediatric Genomic Project in 2024 and 2025. For education, Gordon Parks Elementary School received awards of $450,000, $400,000, and $350,000 to fund operation of the school. The foundation also supported capital needs in education and community services, including a $300,000 grant to Crossroads Preparatory Academy - Kc for a capital campaign - educational and a $433,103 grant to Operation Breakthrough for a capital campaign to purchase a new building along with general operations.
The Stowers Foundation’s typical grant size is $75,000 at the 25th percentile, $250,000 at the median, and $350,000 at the 75th percentile, which fits a pattern of substantial institutional grants. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, especially for general operations, school operations, capital campaigns, and outreach work. It is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grants shown are largely unrestricted or core-support oriented, with some project-specific awards tied to research, education, and capital needs.
$6.8M
$204M
$122.4M
$7.6M
Most grants fall between $75K and $350K, with a median of $250K.
25th Percentile
$75K
Median
$250K
75th Percentile
$350K
About 11% of grants go to recipients in MO.
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Concentrated, high-value grants to a few repeat grantees (multiple multi-million dollar awards); funding tends to be unrestricted or endowment-directed rather than many small, project-specific grants.
Notable grantees: VPKJL Fund, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Operation Breakthrough
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with all listed recent grants going to U.S. recipients. Kansas City, Missouri appears most often in the recent awards and anchors much of the foundation’s giving. Outside Missouri, Denver, Colorado appears in the recent grants through a $250,000 award to Warren Village, which helps show the foundation’s regional reach. The top state by grant count is Colorado, while 11% of grants go to recipients in Kansas.
The recent grants center on biomedical research and science communication, school operations and capital support, and local Kansas City community services. Recipients include research institutions, elementary and preparatory schools, pediatric health organizations, and family-service nonprofits.
It does both, but core support is prominent. Recent grants include general operations awards, school operation funding, capital campaign support, and endowment gifts, alongside project-specific grants such as pediatric genomics and outreach activities.
The distribution is relatively large: $75,000 at the 25th percentile, $250,000 at the median, and $350,000 at the 75th percentile. Several recent grants also reach the seven-figure range.
Colorado is the top state by grant count, but Kansas City, Missouri is a major recipient location in the recent grants list. Kansas recipients account for 11% of grants, while the listed recent grants are all to U.S. organizations.
Yes. The recent record shows repeated awards to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Vpkjl Fund, Operation Breakthrough, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Gordon Parks Elementary School, and Rose Brooks across 2023, 2024, and 2025.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STOWERS INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,027,770 | 2025 | TO FUND COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHOOL. |
| VPKJL FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,000,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GIFT TO ENDOWMENT IN HONOR OF SISTERS BERTA AND CORITA |
| CHILDREN'S MERCY HOSPITAL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $500,000 | 2025 | KIDS FIRST PEDIATRIC GENOMIC PROJECT |
| VPKJL FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $500,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GORDON PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $450,000 | 2025 | TO FUND OPERATION OF THE SCHOOL. |
| ROSE BROOKS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $300,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $300,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WARREN VILLAGE | DENVER, CO | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SCRIPPS TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE INSTITUTE | LA JOLLA, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FUND MYGENE RANK DEVELOPMENT |
| VALLEY HOPE FOUNDATION | NORTON, KS | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FUND BRIDGE TO RECOVERY PROGRAM |
| FIRST CALL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $175,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS-CIVIC. |
| VPKJL FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $150,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $133,103 | 2025 | TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR PURCHASE OF NEW BUILDING & FUNDING OF GENERAL OPERATIONS. |
| KANSAS CITY FARM SCHOOL AT GIBBS ROAD | KANSAS CITY, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND FARMERS ON THE RISE PROGRAM |
| HIGGINS BROTHERS SUGICENTER FOR HOPE FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HIGGINS BROTHERS SUGICENTER FOR HOPE FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FUND SECURITY SERVICES FOR CAMPUS |
| THE PHOENIX | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| FORGING YOUTH RESILIENCE | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FUND CAMP FYR PROGRAM |
| STOWERS INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $38,000 | 2025 | GRANT TO PAY FOR PORTRAIT OF FOUNDERS |
| KANSAS MISSOURI MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE | PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS | $30,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNITED WE | KANSAS CITY, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | WOMENS' ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES |
| PAWSPERITY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ELEVATE METRO KANSAS CITY | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DENVER SOUTH PTSA | DENVER, CO | $20,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GIVING GROCERY PROGRAM |
| STOWERS INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $19,000 | 2025 | GRANT TO PAY FOR PORTRAIT OF MURDERED INSTITUTE MEMBERS |
| UMKC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $15,000 | 2025 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VPKJL FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,250,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| STOWERS INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,233,000 | 2024 | TO FUND COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHOOL. |
| STOWERS INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,139,900 | 2024 | TO FUND COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHOOL. |
| VPKJL FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $1,000,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHILDREN'S MERCY HOSPITAL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $500,000 | 2024 | KIDS FIRST PEDIATRIC GENOMIC PROJECT |
| VPKJL FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $500,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHILDREN'S MERCY HOSPITAL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $500,000 | 2024 | KIDS FIRST PEDIATRIC GENOMIC PROJECT |
| OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $433,103 | 2024 | TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR PURCHASE OF NEW BUILDING & FUNDING OF GENERAL OPERATIONS. |
| HIGGINS BROTHERS SUGICENTER FOR HOPE FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $400,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS-MEDICAL. |
| GORDON PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $350,000 | 2024 | TO FUND OPERATION OF THE SCHOOL. |
| ROSE BROOKS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $300,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GORDON PARKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | KANSAS CITY, MO | $300,000 | 2024 | TO FUND OPERATION OF THE SCHOOL. |
| CROSSROADS PREPARATORY ACADEMY - KC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $300,000 | 2024 | TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - EDUCATIONAL. |
| ROSE BROOKS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $300,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH | KANSAS CITY, MO | $300,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KCPGA (GIRLS PREPARATORY ACADEMY) | KANSAS CITY, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR BUILDING - EDUCATION |
| WARREN VILLAGE | DENVER, CO | $250,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VPKJL FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SYNERGY SERVICES | PARKVILLE, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | NEW SHELTERS FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES |
| WARREN VILLAGE | DENVER, CO | $250,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KCPGA (GIRLS PREPARATORY ACADEMY) | KANSAS CITY, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR BUILDING - EDUCATION |
| VPKJL FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HIGGINS BROTHERS SUGICENTER FOR HOPE FUND | KANSAS CITY, MO | $200,000 | 2024 | COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION FOR CAMPUS |
STOWERS INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
$1,027,770TO FUND COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHOOL.
VPKJL FUND
$1,000,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
GIFT TO ENDOWMENT IN HONOR OF SISTERS BERTA AND CORITA
VPKJL FUND
$500,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
TO FUND OPERATION OF THE SCHOOL.
SCRIPPS TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE INSTITUTE
$250,000TO FUND MYGENE RANK DEVELOPMENT
VALLEY HOPE FOUNDATION
$250,000TO FUND BRIDGE TO RECOVERY PROGRAM
FIRST CALL
$175,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS-CIVIC.
VPKJL FUND
$150,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR PURCHASE OF NEW BUILDING & FUNDING OF GENERAL OPERATIONS.
KANSAS CITY FARM SCHOOL AT GIBBS ROAD
$100,000TO FUND FARMERS ON THE RISE PROGRAM
HIGGINS BROTHERS SUGICENTER FOR HOPE FUND
$100,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
HIGGINS BROTHERS SUGICENTER FOR HOPE FUND
$50,000TO FUND SECURITY SERVICES FOR CAMPUS
THE PHOENIX
$50,000TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
FORGING YOUTH RESILIENCE
$50,000TO FUND CAMP FYR PROGRAM
GRANT TO PAY FOR PORTRAIT OF FOUNDERS
KANSAS MISSOURI MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE
$30,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
ELEVATE METRO KANSAS CITY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
DENVER SOUTH PTSA
$20,000TO FUND GIVING GROCERY PROGRAM
GRANT TO PAY FOR PORTRAIT OF MURDERED INSTITUTE MEMBERS
UMKC
$15,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
VPKJL FUND
$1,250,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
STOWERS INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
$1,233,000TO FUND COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHOOL.
STOWERS INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
$1,139,900TO FUND COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHOOL.
VPKJL FUND
$1,000,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
VPKJL FUND
$500,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR PURCHASE OF NEW BUILDING & FUNDING OF GENERAL OPERATIONS.
HIGGINS BROTHERS SUGICENTER FOR HOPE FUND
$400,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS-MEDICAL.
CROSSROADS PREPARATORY ACADEMY - KC
$300,000TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - EDUCATIONAL.
KCPGA (GIRLS PREPARATORY ACADEMY)
$250,000TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR BUILDING - EDUCATION
VPKJL FUND
$250,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
KCPGA (GIRLS PREPARATORY ACADEMY)
$250,000TO FUND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR BUILDING - EDUCATION
VPKJL FUND
$250,000TO FUND GENERAL OPERATIONS
HIGGINS BROTHERS SUGICENTER FOR HOPE FUND
$200,000COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION FOR CAMPUS