E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private
E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private is a private foundation based in Emporia, Kansas. Its website says it was established to improve the quality of life and circumstances of children and the people who serve them, primarily in Lyon, Chase, Morris, and Coffey counties in Kansas.
E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private at a glance
In short: E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private gave $341K across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Kansas. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $340,786
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,107
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,500
- Total assets
- $6,901,507
- -2.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (6 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Kansas (99% 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 E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private
- How to Apply
The 2025 filing says applicants should contact Michelle Molinaro and submit the grant application form with proof of 501(c)(3) status, a list of officers and board members with their principal occupations, the most…
The 2025 filing says applicants should contact Michelle Molinaro and submit the grant application form with proof of 501(c)(3) status, a list of officers and board members with their principal occupations, the most recent financial statement or Form 990, a one-page project budget showing proposed revenues and expenses, and, if applicable, contact information for partnering organizations. Awards are restricted to qualified public charities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The filing states that applications are accepted at any time.
- Contact
Application contact: Michelle Molinaro
Mailing address: 4820 W 143Rd Terrace, Leawood, KS 66224
Phone: (913) 269-6428
Website: https://thehopkinsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Emporia Community Foundation ($175K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $319K.
Grant Size Distribution
103 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 101 grants of 103 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies Lyon, Chase, Morris, and Coffey counties in Kansas as its primary geographic area. In filing year 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kansas and 1% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
Is E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 20 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $6K repeat.
- 55% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 238% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 113% 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 $101K (2022) to $428K (2020). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $341K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Emporia Community Foundation Emporia, KS | General Purposes School Projects | $150,000 |
| Emporia Community Foundation Emporia, KS | Olpe Fitness Park | $25,000 |
| Southwick House Emporia, KS | Next 100 Year Campaign Pet Shelter | $25,000 |
| Radical Life Inc Emporia, KS | Family & Hope Support of Leaders | $17,000 |
| Camp Wood YMCA Elmdale, KS | Tower Project | $15,000 |
| Camp Chippewa Ottawa, KS | 3 Day Bethlehem Event | $12,000 |
| USD 253 Emporia, KS | Teacher Awards | $11,374 |
| FHTC Emporia, KS | Need a Fund & Scholarships | $10,000 |
| Mission Creek Camp Retreat Ctr Topeka, KS | Scholarships | $10,000 |
| Mission Creek Camp Retreat Ctr Topeka, KS | Programming Enhancements | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private?
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 | $6,901,507 | $500,328 | $637,632 | $340,786 | 26 | $580,271 | $294,330 | $514,365 |
| 2024 | $7,038,811 | $627,849 | $539,932 | $255,671 | 26 | $484,954 | $259,014 | $489,132 |
| 2023 | $6,950,898 | $445,358 | $477,140 | $197,842 | 20 | $431,952 | $210,563 | $438,263 |
| 2022 | $6,982,453 | $411,158 | $337,788 | $100,944 | 14 | $284,382 | $185,884 | $437,877 |
| 2021 | $6,909,083 | $907,454 | $553,369 | $320,420 | 17 | $501,957 | $253,538 | $486,244 |
| 2020 | $6,554,859 | $332,830 | $663,616 | $427,718 | 33 | — | $152,597 | $412,248 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private reported a distributable amount of $514K 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 website lists community improvement, education, youth programs, and human services as primary areas of interest. It also describes a commitment to teachers and school staff through its “Star Performer” and “WOW” awards.
The 2025 grants illustrate support for varied organizations and projects, including school projects, a pet shelter campaign, camps, scholarships, teacher awards, and family support. Among the recipients, Radical Life Inc describes its work as cultivating strong and healthy families, reducing the number of children entering foster care, and addressing family poverty. SparkWheel Inc says it works to remove barriers and provide people it serves with resources to thrive. The Imaginarium says it brings science, technology, engineering, and math education to area youth.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $340,786. Grant amounts ranged from $150 to $150,000, with a median of $5,500.
The largest reported grant was $150,000 to Emporia Community Foundation for “general purposes school projects.” Other notable grants included $25,000 to Emporia Community Foundation for Olpe Fitness Park, $25,000 to Southwick House for its “Next 100 Year Campaign Pet Shelter,” and $17,000 to Radical Life Inc for family and leader support. Camp Wood YMCA received $15,000 for its Tower Project; Camp Chippewa received $12,000 for a three-day Bethlehem event; and USD 253 received $11,374 for teacher awards. Flint Hills Technical College received $10,000 for its Need A Fund and scholarships, while Mission Creek Camp Retreat Center received two $10,000 grants for scholarships and programming enhancements.
The foundation’s website says applicants should first review its mission and grant guidelines, then submit a complete application. A preliminary letter of inquiry is not required; applicants may send one if they have questions about eligibility, with a program summary and description of its potential impact. Selected recipients formalize grant terms in a contract that includes a reporting schedule.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kenneth L. Hopkins as president; Michelle R. Molinaro as secretary-treasurer; and Tom Krueger, Sharon Tidwell, and Jessica Hopkins as directors.
E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private is led by Kenneth L. Hopkins, President on every filing since 2020; 3 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kenneth L. Hopkins
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sharon Tidwell
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $400 (2025)
Tom Krueger
Director
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Jessica Hopkins
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
$200 (2025)
Michelle R. Molinaro
Secretary - Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$113K (2020) → $130K (2025)
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 $130K, to Michelle R Molinaro (Sec - Treas). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private
How much does E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private give each year?
E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private gave $341K across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $256K across 26 grants.
What is E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private's typical grant size?
E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private's median grant in 2025 was $5,500, and its average grant was $13,107, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private that year got $8K on average.
Where does E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private give grants?
E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private gives mostly in Kansas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Emporia, KS (16 grants) and Topeka, KS (2 grants).
Does E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Teacher Awards" (5 grants).
Who are E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private's largest grantees?
E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private's largest 2025 grantees include Emporia Community Foundation ($175,150 across 3 grants), Southwick House ($25,000) and FHTC ($20,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private?
E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private reported $6.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $580K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $514K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private fund?
The foundation’s website lists community improvement, education, youth programs, and human services as primary areas of interest. It also describes a commitment to teachers and school staff through its “Star Performer” and “WOW” awards. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private?
The 2025 filing says applicants should contact Michelle Molinaro and submit the grant application form with proof of 501(c)(3) status, a list of officers and board members with their principal occupations, the most… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private's EIN?
E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2831255. 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private funds
Religion Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
Emporia Community Foundation
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The foundation supports innovative projects and programs in health, social services, education, recreation, and the arts, with preference for organizations without taxing authority, serving Emporia and Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage, and Wabaunsee counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $18,000, though awards ranged from $5,196 to $841,583; it accepts general grant-cycle applications September 1–30.
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The trust funds education, medical care, human services, and community development, with a stated focus on residents of Lyon, Coffey, and Osage counties in Kansas. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,425,000, with a median of $92,500. It accepts online applications on a rolling basis; requests must meet one of the listed quarterly deadlines.
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The Trusler Foundation Inc
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The Trusler Foundation funds community facilities and accessibility improvements, food access, senior services, and arts and cultural programs in Kansas. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $50,000, with a median of about $20,000. The filing says giving is not limited to preselected organizations, but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
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The Jane & Bernard Reeble Foundation supports Kansas organizations, with grants for scholarships, safety improvements, arts, community programs, and youth services. In 2026, grants ranged from $1,000 to $55,000, with a median of $13,500. Its 2025 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and lists a letter as the application material; no deadlines are listed.
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Lewis Humphreys Charitable Trust
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The Lewis Humphreys Charitable Trust funds educational, cultural, human services, and health care programs for underserved and disadvantaged people, with a focus on East Central Kansas; most recent grant dollars went to Kansas organizations. Typical grants were around $62,000 in 2025, though awards ranged from $5,000 to $622,080, and the grant listing gives a $500–$125,000 range. It directs applicants to an online application process and lists an April 30 deadline.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/e-l-and-z-irene-hopkins-private-morg_5dea11c159b84d43896144a9ec084dca
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742831255_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/e-l-and-z-irene-hopkins-private-morg_5dea11c159b84d43896144a9ec084dca},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-25. 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 E L and Z Irene Hopkins Private'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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