Buckner Foundation
The Buckner Foundation is a private foundation based in Prairie Village, Kansas. Established by the Charles M. Buckner Trust, it supports charitable organizations benefiting residents of Saline County, Missouri, and the surrounding area. The foundation says it has made grants to charitable organizations in Central Missouri since 2001.
Buckner Foundation at a glance
In short: Buckner Foundation gave $360K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Missouri. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $359,613
- +46.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +5.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,979
- +38.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $16,600
- Total assets
- $5,131,024
- -1.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (6 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Buckner Foundation
- How to Apply
The foundation accepts applications through a three-step online form on its website from 501(c)(3) organizations benefiting residents of Saline County, Missouri, and the surrounding area; the visible form requests…
The foundation accepts applications through a three-step online form on its website from 501(c)(3) organizations benefiting residents of Saline County, Missouri, and the surrounding area; the visible form requests applicant and governing-body information and a copy of the organization’s most recent financial statements. The foundation’s advisers have sole discretionary authority over gifts.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists quarterly deadlines of February 26, May 31, August 30, and November 29. The February, May, and August 2026 deadlines have passed; the next listed deadline is November 29, 2026. The website says notification is usually sent within 60 days after a quarterly deadline and that absence of notification indicates denial.
- Deadline
- The website lists quarterly deadlines of February 26, May 31, August 30, and November 29.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 8377, Prairie Village, KS 66208-0377
Phone: (816) 210-6314
Website: https://buckner.foundation
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Buckner Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Saline County Historical Society ($50K). Together the top 10 received $303K.
Grant Size Distribution
86 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 77 grants of 86 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it supports organizations benefiting residents of Saline County, Missouri, and the surrounding area. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Buckner Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 18 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $16K repeat.
- 28% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $245K (2024) to $391K (2022). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $360K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Saline County Historical Society Marshall, MO | To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations | $50,000 |
| Fitzgibbon Hospital Marshall, MO | To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations | $44,094 |
| Sweet Springs Community Food Pantry Sweet Springs, MO | To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations | $40,000 |
| Missouri Valley College Marshall, MO | To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations | $36,200 |
| District III Area Agency on Aging Marshall, MO | To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations | $27,338 |
| Food Bank of Central and Ne Missouri Columbia, MO | To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations | $25,000 |
| Missouri River Valley STEAM Engine Association Boonville, MO | To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations | $25,000 |
| Marshall Philharmonic Orchestra Marshall, MO | To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations | $21,981 |
| Marshall Community Chorus Marshall, MO | To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations | $20,000 |
| First United Methodist Church - ESL Marshall, MO | To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations | $13,200 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,131,024 | $358,394 | $444,488 | $359,613 | 18 | $380,464 | $312,819 | $378,621 |
| 2024 | $5,217,118 | $532,197 | $304,129 | $244,785 | 17 | $263,414 | $494,152 | $301,423 |
| 2023 | $4,989,050 | $100,983 | $408,171 | $320,500 | 22 | $350,799 | $62,697 | $312,961 |
| 2022 | $5,296,238 | $303,834 | $430,858 | $391,318 | 17 | $411,963 | $303,497 | $341,814 |
| 2021 | $5,423,262 | $894,045 | $341,709 | $321,850 | 12 | — | $892,285 | $322,852 |
| 2020 | $4,870,926 | $102,190 | $362,955 | $323,086 | 15 | — | $65,446 | $289,692 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Buckner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $379K for 2025 — 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’s stated purpose is to support charitable organizations that benefit residents of Saline County and the surrounding area. Its website says grants are limited to organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3).
Its 2025 grants included organizations with varied missions. Missouri Valley College describes its mission as guiding students to succeed through personal instruction and intellectual inquiry. Grow Pediatric Therapy Services says it helps children in rural Missouri access therapeutic services. Friends of Arrow Rock says it works to educate people about local history and preserve and interpret cultural resources. Care Connection, associated with District III Area Agency on Aging, describes its work as creating opportunities for positive aging experiences.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 18 grants totaling $359,613. The grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $16,600. The foundation says grants are generally less than $50,000 and are normally made quarterly as funds are available. It discourages requests for annual, general operating funds, although its application page says general operating expenses will be considered but are not preferred.
Notable 2025 grants included $50,000 to Saline County Historical Society, $44,094 to Fitzgibbon Hospital, $40,000 to Sweet Springs Community Food Pantry, and $36,200 to Missouri Valley College. The listed purposes for these grants were to provide funds for the organizations’ operations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph Kessinger as trustee and Charles D. Van Dyke, James Coe, Thomas B. Hall, and Jane Huff as advisers.
Buckner Foundation's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joseph Kessinger
Trustee
On filings since 2021
16 hrs/week
$15K (2021) → $15K (2025)
Charles D. Van Dyke
Advisor
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Coe
Advisor
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas B. Hall
Advisor
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Huff
Advisor
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Joe Kessinger (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $15K, to Joseph Kessinger (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Buckner Foundation
How much does Buckner Foundation give each year?
Buckner Foundation gave $360K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $245K across 17 grants.
What is Buckner Foundation's typical grant size?
Buckner Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $16,600, and its average grant was $19,979, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Buckner Foundation that year got $17K on average.
Where does Buckner Foundation give grants?
Buckner Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Marshall, MO (9 grants).
Does Buckner Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Buckner Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Provide Funds for Organization's Operations" (17 grants).
Who are Buckner Foundation's largest grantees?
Buckner Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Saline County Historical Society ($50,000), Fitzgibbon Hospital ($44,094) and Sweet Springs Community Food Pantry ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Buckner Foundation?
Buckner Foundation reported $5.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $380K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $379K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Buckner Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support charitable organizations that benefit residents of Saline County and the surrounding area. Its website says grants are limited to organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3). See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Buckner Foundation?
The foundation accepts applications through a three-step online form on its website from 501(c)(3) organizations benefiting residents of Saline County, Missouri, and the surrounding area; the visible form requests… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Buckner Foundation's EIN?
Buckner Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1933644. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Buckner Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/buckner-foundation-morg_6422ff8efa9347d7bff849942bd98009
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_431933644_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Buckner Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/buckner-foundation-morg_6422ff8efa9347d7bff849942bd98009},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Buckner Foundation'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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