About Kansas State University Foundation
At the KSU Foundation, we inspire and guide philanthropy to boldly advance K‑State.
Focus Areas
Student scholarshipsResearchFacilities and classroomsStudent emergency/aidCommunity impactGlobal initiativesAthletics
Who They Fund
students (scholarship recipients)academic departments / university unitsprograms or projects within organizations
Funding Style
operational/administrative supportrestricted program/departmental support
About Kansas State University Foundation
Kansas State University Foundation’s recent giving is defined by very large transfers to Kansas State University and K-State Athletics, alongside support for university-affiliated entities in Manhattan, Kansas. The largest listed grant was $49,984,582 in 2024 to Kansas State University for administrative support, followed by $42,284,107 in 2023 to K-State Athletics for scholarships and support. Those grants show a funder that channels substantial resources into the university’s core operations and student-related priorities rather than broad external philanthropy. The foundation also supports affiliated organizations that extend the university’s reach. Recent grants include $5,453,144 to Kansas State University Alumni Association for administrative support, departmental support, and property-related purposes, and $1,791,963 to Ksu Charitable Real Estate Foundation for administrative support. Smaller awards also went to Manhattan-based community groups and a Kansas historical society, but the dominant pattern remains institutional support centered on Kansas State University in Manhattan.
What Kansas State University Foundation Funds
Student aid is a recurring theme in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $15,940,821 to Kansas State University for scholarships and support, and $1,982,756 to K-State Athletics for support and scholarships. The foundation also backs scholarship infrastructure through its K-State Family Scholarship Program, which matches gifts to family-named scholarships for Kansas State University students. Administrative and departmental support is another clear lane. Kansas State University received $49,984,582 in 2024 for administrative support, while Kansas State University Alumni Association received $5,453,144 for administrative support, departmental support, and property-related purposes. Athletics is a separate area of emphasis, with a $4,913,432 grant to K-State Athletics for administrative support. Beyond campus units, the foundation makes some community-oriented awards, including $20,000 to Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and $10,000 to Russell County Historical Society.
How Kansas State University Foundation Gives
Grant sizes are highly uneven. The listed distribution puts the 25th percentile at $20,000, the median at $2,425,723, and the 75th percentile at $7,396,577, showing a mix of small local awards and very large institutional transfers. The pattern is also strongly recurring: Kansas State University and K-State Athletics appear multiple times across 2023 and 2024, as do Kansas State University Alumni Association and other university-linked entities. The foundation is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and it also makes program-related investments. The active student emergency-aid campaign is described as year-round and committee-made for enrolled students.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$80.1M
Total Assets
$1.3B
Total Revenue
$185.3M
Total Expenses
$139.7M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $20K and $7.4M, with a median of $2.4M.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$2.4M
75th Percentile
$7.4M
Geographic Reach
Local2 states funded
About 94% of grants go to recipients in KS.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
GREG LOHRENTZ
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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