Earl Bane Foundation
The Earl Bane Foundation is a private foundation based in Salina, Kansas. Founded by Earl Bane in 1994, it supports community improvement in Salina and Saline County through grants and offers scholarships to selected Saline County high school seniors attending college in Kansas.
Earl Bane Foundation at a glance
In short: Earl Bane Foundation gave $3.7M across 1 grant in 2026 (avg $3.7M), mostly in Kansas. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $3,686,300
- +99.6% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $3,686,300
- +99.6% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $3,686,300
- Total assets
- $12,328,923
- -0.3% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Kansas (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Earl Bane Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. It does not use a formal application form; organizations are asked to submit a written request or letter describing the organization, the purpose and amount of the request, and how the funding would benefit the community or those served. The filing says the Board reviews requests and distributes funds to qualified organizations, with emphasis and due consideration for the American Red Cross, the United Way, scholarships for Salina and Saline County students at Kansas institutions of higher learning, and other qualified organizations benefiting Salina and Saline County. Nonprofits awarded a grant must provide proof of 501(c)(3) status.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists quarterly submission dates of March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. The March, June, and September 2026 dates have passed; the next listed date is December 1, 2026. The website says the Board meets during those months and approved grants are typically funded by the end of the month. The 2025 filing, however, states that there are no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The website lists quarterly submission dates of March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Earl Bane Foundation
Mailing address: 315 N 9Th St, Salina, KS 67401
Phone: (785) 827-1492
Email: info@earlbane.org
Website: https://earlbane.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Earl Bane Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
243 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 220 grants of 243 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s grantmaking is primarily directed to Salina and Saline County, Kansas. Its website says a limited number of grants may also go to organizations outside the area that reflect Earl Bane’s philanthropic interests. The 2026 filing data reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2026 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How Earl Bane Foundation gives
- Giving grew 185% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 242% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $789K (2021) to $3.7M (2026). In 2026 it made 1 grant totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| See Attached Listing Saline County, KS | Fulfillment of Articles of Incorporation | $3,686,300 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $12,328,923 | $3,887,447 | $3,918,865 | $3,686,300 | 1 | $3,748,178 | $3,797,637 | $1,550,356 |
| 2025 | $12,360,341 | $4,215,612 | $2,024,665 | $1,846,600 | 1 | $1,906,016 | $4,117,801 | $1,490,541 |
| 2024 | $10,169,394 | $2,191,586 | $1,224,586 | $1,083,400 | 70 | $1,144,579 | $2,111,621 | $1,289,314 |
| 2023 | $9,203,490 | $323,564 | $1,496,246 | $1,294,432 | 100 | $1,352,385 | $247,903 | $1,212,598 |
| 2022 | $10,376,172 | $3,051,384 | $1,071,580 | $920,450 | 71 | $979,174 | $2,971,716 | $1,262,470 |
| 2021 | $8,395,158 | $1,134,045 | $936,028 | $788,575 | 71 | — | $1,068,942 | $1,020,476 |
| 2020 | $8,197,141 | $1,763,002 | $1,393,897 | $1,258,550 | 85 | — | $1,697,262 | $1,019,261 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Earl Bane Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says it seeks to improve Saline County and make it a better place for residents to live, work, and thrive. Its community improvement grants are considered for nonprofit organizations and local governments providing educational, economic, scientific, or religious benefits to Salina and Saline County. The Foundation also says it makes a limited number of grants to organizations outside the area that reflect Earl Bane’s philanthropic interests.
The Foundation’s scholarship program awards renewable scholarships to graduating seniors from Saline County who plan to attend a Kansas college. The website describes eligibility and award terms for individual students; this is a scholarship program, not a grant program for outside organizations.
Grantmaking
For filing year 2026, the IRS filing data reports one grant totaling $3,686,300. The itemized listing identifies the recipient as “See Attached Listing” in Saline County and gives the purpose as “Fulfillment of Articles of Incorporation.” For filing year 2025, the filing data reports one grant totaling $1,846,600; for 2024, it reports 70 grants totaling $1,083,400. The available information does not establish a typical grant size.
The Foundation’s September 2025 website announcement listed community improvement awards to organizations including the Cardinal Foundation for Educational Excellence, Ell-Saline FFA, Central Kansas Flywheels Museum, Friends of the River, HirePaths, and Salina Grace. The announcement did not state grant amounts.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Robert Buster as president, Melanie Bailey as treasurer, Mindy Tillberg as secretary, and Corlene Lange and David Mills as trustees.
Earl Bane Foundation is led by Robert Buster, President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); all 5 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Robert Buster
President
President & Trustee → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2026)
Corlene Lange
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2026)
David Mills
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $9K (2026)
Melanie Bailey
Treasurer
Vice President, Treasurer & Trustee → Treasurer & Trustee, 2021
Treasurer & Trustee → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $18K (2026)
Mindy Tillberg
Secretary
Secretary & Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $18K (2026)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $18K, to Melanie Bailey (Treasurer). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Earl Bane Foundation
How much does Earl Bane Foundation give each year?
Earl Bane Foundation gave $3.7M across 1 grant in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $1.8M across 1 grant.
How large is Earl Bane Foundation?
Earl Bane Foundation reported $12.3M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Earl Bane Foundation fund?
The Foundation says it seeks to improve Saline County and make it a better place for residents to live, work, and thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Earl Bane Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Earl Bane Foundation make grants?
The Foundation’s grantmaking is primarily directed to Salina and Saline County, Kansas. Its website says a limited number of grants may also go to organizations outside the area that reflect Earl Bane’s philanthropic interests. The 2026 filing data reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kansas.
What is Earl Bane Foundation's EIN?
Earl Bane Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-1152429. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Does Earl Bane Foundation 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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