Barry L and Paula M Downing
The Downing Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Wichita, Kansas. It supports organizations working to improve community quality of life, with a focus on lasting impact, self-sufficiency, and future success.
Barry L and Paula M Downing at a glance
In short: Barry L and Paula M Downing gave $382K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), mostly in Kansas. 50% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $382,450
- -5.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- -36.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,318
- +49.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,250
- Total assets
- $2,077,171
- -20.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (7 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Kansas (71% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Barry L and Paula M Downing
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through an online letter of inquiry. The website asks applicants to describe their organization and its projects, the problem to be addressed and expected impact, the total project cost and amount requested, and the requestor’s name, title, phone number, and email address. The 2024 filing describes the request as a letter including the applicant’s name and address and the proposed use of funds. The website lists the eligibility and request exclusions described above; the 2024 filing states there are no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists quarterly letter-of-inquiry deadlines of March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. The 2024 filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The website lists quarterly letter-of-inquiry deadlines of March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.
- Contact
Application contact: Barry Downing Care Of Barry L Paula
Mailing address: 1625 N Waterfront Parkway 100, Wichita, KS 67206
Phone: (316) 260-3353
Website: https://downingfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Barry L and Paula M Downing funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wichita Art Museum ($200K). Together the top 10 received $369K.
Grant Size Distribution
86 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 75 grants of 86 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it favors initiatives within Kansas. Its 2024 grant dollars were reported as 71% to recipients in Kansas, 25% in Nevada, and 5% in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Barry L and Paula M Downing open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 14 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 36% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 45% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 306% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $265K (2021) to $406K (2022). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $382K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita Art Museum Wichita, KS | Contributions to Operations | $200,000 |
| BPS Foundation Las Vegas, NV | Program Support | $94,000 |
| Telluride Film Association Berkeley, CA | Contribution to Operation | $17,450 |
| Wichita Public Schools Foundation Wichita, KS | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Orpheum Theatre Wichita, KS | Program Support | $10,000 |
| The First Tee of Greater Wichita Wichita, KS | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Cerebral Palsy Reserach Foundation Wichita, KS | Program Support | $7,500 |
| Alzheimer's Assocation Wichita, KS | Program Support | $5,000 |
| Fundamental Learning Center Wichita, KS | Program Expenses | $5,000 |
| Heroes Academy Wichita, KS | Program Support | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Barry L and Paula M Downing?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,077,171 | $63,536 | $486,902 | $382,450 | 14 | $382,450 | — | $124,912 |
| 2023 | $2,613,437 | $-466,648 | $532,636 | $402,650 | 22 | $402,650 | — | $133,298 |
| 2022 | $5,710,990 | $188,429 | $664,765 | $405,789 | 20 | $405,789 | — | $241,385 |
| 2021 | $6,334,094 | $2,914,895 | $287,488 | $264,630 | 15 | $264,630 | $712,037 | $219,531 |
| 2020 | $1,843,571 | $1,167,106 | $484,654 | $381,630 | 15 | — | — | $47,302 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Barry L and Paula M Downing reported a distributable amount of $125K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation seeks to partner with organizations that help others, especially people who are less fortunate or unable to help themselves. It supports initiatives that benefit a community or a significant number of its members on a lasting basis, particularly projects that lead to self-sufficiency and future success.
The foundation considers operating expenses, endowment funds, capital causes, and multi-year grants; one-year grants are typical. It does not consider requests from government, political, legislative, or lobbying entities; individuals; social or fraternal organizations; faith-based organizations; or for-profit organizations. It also excludes requests for specific physical, medical, or psychological conditions and for medical research. It does not fund institutions that discriminate on specified grounds, including race, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Its 2024 grants included organizations with varied charitable work. Wichita Art Museum describes its mission as providing a safe environment for the storage, conservation, and respectful display of its permanent collection and borrowed or loaned art. BPS Foundation describes itself as a charitable sports organization supporting health- and athletics-focused public charities by engaging athletes in service. Heroes Academy says it provides character-building experiences for middle and high school-age youth, with programs focused on education, opportunity, investment, and development.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $382,450. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $200,000, with a median of $6,250.
The largest reported grants were $200,000 to Wichita Art Museum for contributions to operations; $94,000 to BPS Foundation for program support; $17,450 to Telluride Film Association for a contribution to operation; and $15,000 to Wichita Public Schools Foundation for program support. Other listed grants included $10,000 each to Orpheum Theatre and The First Tee of Greater Wichita, and $7,500 to Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation. The filing also lists $5,000 grants to Alzheimer’s Association, Fundamental Learning Center, Heroes Academy, The Lord’s Diner, and Wichita State University Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Barry Downing, Paula Downing, and Lisa Wright as co-trustees.
Barry L and Paula M Downing's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Barry Downing
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Wright
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paula Downing
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Barry L and Paula M Downing
How much does Barry L and Paula M Downing give each year?
Barry L and Paula M Downing gave $382K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $403K across 22 grants.
What is Barry L and Paula M Downing's typical grant size?
Barry L and Paula M Downing's median grant in 2024 was $6,250, and its average grant was $27,318, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Barry L and Paula M Downing that year got $20K on average.
Where does Barry L and Paula M Downing give grants?
Barry L and Paula M Downing gives mostly in Kansas: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Nevada (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wichita, KS (11 grants).
Does Barry L and Paula M Downing give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of Barry L and Paula M Downing's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (9 grants).
Who are Barry L and Paula M Downing's largest grantees?
Barry L and Paula M Downing's largest 2024 grantees include Wichita Art Museum ($200,000), BPS Foundation ($94,000) and Telluride Film Association ($17,450), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Barry L and Paula M Downing?
Barry L and Paula M Downing reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $382K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $125K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Barry L and Paula M Downing fund?
The foundation seeks to partner with organizations that help others, especially people who are less fortunate or unable to help themselves. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Barry L and Paula M Downing?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through an online letter of inquiry. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Barry L and Paula M Downing's EIN?
Barry L and Paula M Downing's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-1134459. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Barry L and Paula M Downing accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Barry L and Paula M Downing funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/barry-l-and-paula-m-downing-morg_987ef9c0d1b545528f809e4a7ba3e451
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_481134459_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Barry L and Paula M Downing funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/barry-l-and-paula-m-downing-morg_987ef9c0d1b545528f809e4a7ba3e451},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Barry L and Paula M Downing's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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