Berry Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation based in Wichita, Kansas, established in 2006. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a grantmaking entity supporting nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$29K
-48.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+87.7% YoY
Grant Count
67
-32.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+177.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Berry Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Berry Foundation's vision is to "make a difference in the communities in which we do business." The foundation is motivated by the belief that all humans have worth and deserve to flourish.
The foundation prioritizes:
- Accessibility to broader education and enrichment
- Enhancement of physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing
- Support for under-resourced and vulnerable populations in communities
Primary funding areas include:
- Arts and culture
- Education (elementary, secondary, and early childhood)
- Environment and wildlife biodiversity
- Philanthropy and nonprofits
- Community and economic development
- Religion
- Human services (family services, child welfare, youth development, and developmental disability services)
Grantmaking
The foundation provides annual gifts, scholarships, memorial gifts, business sponsorships, and event sponsorships (such as Zoobilee and Winefest).
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple states, including:
- Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Connecticut, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia
The foundation has a particularly broad geographical reach, supporting major cities including Arlington, Boston, Dallas, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $55,625
- Total Revenue: $271,973
- Total Expenses: $743,681
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Grants and Contributions: $575,000
- Investment Income and Dividends: $1,634
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since February 2006. The foundation is required to file IRS Form 990-PF.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $28,895 | $55,625 | $234,799 |
| Revenue | $1,367,000 | $271,973 | $177,282 |
| Expenses | $1,393,730 | $743,681 | $458,947 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,392,962 | $743,369 | $399,542 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $1,322 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $2,866 | $15,000 | $18,645 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Neighboring Movement ($250,000), Quivira Council BSA ($125,000), The Orpheum Theatre ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Neighboring Movement Wichita, KS | ANNUAL GIFT | $250,000 |
| Quivira Council BSA Wichita, KS | ANNUAL GIFT | $125,000 |
| The Orpheum Theatre Wichita, KS | ANNUAL GIFT | $125,000 |
| Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County Wichita, KS | ANNUAL GIFT | $125,000 |
| United Way of the Plains Wichita, KS | ANNUAL GIFT | $88,000 |
| Junior League of Wichita lnc Wichita, KS | ANNUAL GIFT | $85,000 |
| Eastminster Presbyterian Church Wichita, KS | ANNUAL GIFT | $80,000 |
| AED FOUNDATION Schaumburg, IL | ANNUAL GIFT | $62,000 |
| WSU Foundation Wichita, KS | ANNUAL GIFT | $60,500 |
| Wichita Habitat for Humanity Wichita, KS | ANNUAL GIFT | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Members:
- Walter Berry – Chairman (Executive Chairman of BCI)
- Fred Berry – Vice-Chairman (Chairman Emeritus of BCI)
- Polly Berry – Member (Shareholder)
- Sue Berry – Member (Shareholder)
- Kate Scheer – Member (Shareholder)
- Katherine Lewis – Member (Shareholder)
- Judy Worrell – Member (Shareholder)
- Stephanie Farley – Chief People Officer of BCI (Shareholder)
Donations from the Berry Foundation are directed by Berry family members and Berry Companies employees according to the motivation, values, and priorities of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has demonstrated significant grant activity in recent years, with a notable increase in contributions. In 2023, total grants and contributions increased 858.3% compared to 2022 (from $60,000 to $575,000), indicating expanded philanthropic activity.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Berry Foundation Inc fund?
The Berry Foundation's vision is to "make a difference in the communities in which we do business." The foundation is motivated by the belief that all humans have worth and deserve to flourish. The foundation prioritizes: • Accessibility to broader education and enrichment • Enhancement of physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing • Support for under-resourced and vulnerable populations in communities Primary funding areas include: • Arts and culture • Education (elementary, …
How do I apply for a grant from Berry Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2023, the foundation made 153 grants to various nonprofit organizations • Typical grant awards range from $100 to $112,500 • Total giving in 2023: $740,562 **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • The Aed Foundation: $112,500 (Annual Gift) • Friends University: $62,500 (Annual Gift) • United Way of the Plains: $37,000 (Annual Gift) **Grant Types:** The foundation provides annual gifts, scholarships, memorial gifts, business sponsorships, and event sponsorships (such as Zoobi…
Where does Berry Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple states, including: • Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Connecticut, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia The foundation has a particularly broad geographical reach, supporting major cities including Arlington, Boston, Dallas, and Washington.
What size grants does Berry Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Berry Foundation Inc awarded 67 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Berry Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Berry Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Berry Foundation Inc's EIN?
Berry Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3942107. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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