Emporia Community Foundation
Emporia Community Foundation is a public charity based in Emporia, Kansas. Established in 1995, it connects donors and charitable funds with causes serving the Emporia area, including Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage, and Wabaunsee counties.
Key facts about Emporia Community Foundation
In short: Emporia Community Foundation gave $3.5M across 67 grants in 2024 (avg $52K), mostly in Kansas. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 48-1169158
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,489,340
- Grants made (2024)
- 67
- Average grant
- $52,080
- Median grant
- $18,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (17 of 67, 2024)
- Total assets
- $45,641,507
- Primary geography
- Kansas (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Use the relevant fund’s application or forms on the Foundation’s grants page. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The general ECF grant application period listed on the website is September 1–30 each year.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$45.6M
+7.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.5M
+14.0% YoY
Grant Count
67
+4.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$52K
+8.9% YoY
Is Emporia Community Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 67 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $31K; repeat grants $59K. How we count
Medians: $21K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is “to connect caring people with causes that build stronger communities” in its seven-county service area. Its website says the general ECF grants support innovative and creative projects and programs addressing community needs in health, social service, education, recreation, and cultural affairs. Preference is given to grants for organizations that are not directly tax-supported or do not have taxing authority.
Grant recipients illustrate the range of organizations supported. For example, Symphony in the an individual recipient describes its mission as heightening appreciation and knowledge of the an individual recipient tallgrass prairie. The Emporia Arts Council says it works to educate, advocate for, and celebrate the arts in Emporia and its seven-county service area. Hetlinger Developmental Services says it provides day support to adults with developmental disabilities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 67 grants totaling $3,489,340. Grant amounts ranged from $5,196 to $841,583, with a median of $18,000.
Among its largest reported 2024 grants were $841,583 to Newman Regional Health, $394,663 to CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness, and $347,676 to Symphony in the an individual recipient Other substantial awards included $131,000 to Olpe Community Improvement Inc, $108,583 to USD 252, and $99,500 to Kansas State University Foundation.
The Foundation’s website describes a general ECF grant cycle with applications accepted September 1–30, awards announced in December, and funds disbursed in January. Its application materials request project and organization budgets, a list of officers and board members, a recent annual report and financial statement, and a project narrative. For projects serving another entity, such as a public school, the materials request a letter of support. The application asks about the need addressed, people served, available resources, approach, success measures, timeline, and other funding sources.
The 79 Fund is described as focusing on charitable needs in Emporia, with an emphasis on long-term improvements to children’s quality of life. Its listed 2026 application dates were February 16, May 15, August 17, and November 16; the first three dates have passed.
The Morgan Wilkie Fund supports the proper care and comfort of elderly people, women, and children in Emporia and Lyon County. The Earl & Stelouise Sauder Youth Assistance Fund supports youth activities in Lyon, Coffey, Chase, and Greenwood counties, with priority for projects benefiting the most children. Listed restrictions for the Sauder fund include no support for individuals, personnel positions, multiple-year grants or pledges, annual drives, or repetitive grants. Its guidelines also generally exclude large fundraising projects and entities with taxing authority, except for certain innovative one-time special projects.
The Foundation says applications received during a grant cycle are reviewed by a committee, which reaches consensus on recommendations for board approval. For other grants, recommendations may come from fund advisors. The Foundation requests follow-up, especially for grants awarded during a grant cycle, and generally receives photos and invoices.
Review Cycle
The general ECF grant application period listed on the website is September 1–30 each year. The 2026 79 Fund deadline listed for November 16 is upcoming.
How to Apply
Use the relevant fund’s application or forms on the Foundation’s grants page. For donor funds that may be interested in a project, the Foundation says groups are encouraged to submit a one-page summary, which is forwarded to the fund advisor or advisors.
Open Grants
10 open opportunities from Emporia Community Foundation
79 Fund Grant
Emporia Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Chase County Community Fund Grant
Emporia Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Cleve Cook/Emporia Lions Club Fund Grant
Emporia Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Emporia Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation identifies Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage, and Wabaunsee counties in Kansas as its service area. In 2024, 98% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Kansas; the filing also reported small shares in Virginia, North Carolina, and Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 67 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2020) to $3.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 67 grants totaling $3.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Newman Regional Health ($842K). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
328 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 273 grants of 328 (83%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Newman Regional Health Emporia, KS | support the arts | $841,583 |
| CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness Emporia, KS | support art programs | $394,663 |
| Symphony in the Flint Hills Cottonwood Falls, KS | support internships for conservation | $347,676 |
| Olpe Community Improvement Inc Olpe, KS | support disaster relief | $131,000 |
| USD 252 Hartford, KS | support USD 284 programs | $108,583 |
| Kansas State University Foundation Manhattan, KS | support faith based ministry | $99,500 |
| Hetlinger Developmental Services Inc Emporia, KS | support the needs of the animal population | $83,132 |
| Chase County Care & Compassion Inc Strong City, KS | support park improvements and public safety | $77,630 |
| USD 284 Cottonwood Falls, KS | Operating support | $75,352 |
| City of Americus Americus, KS | support park improvements | $73,190 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $45,641,507 | $4,001,512 | $4,235,072 | $3,489,340 |
| 2023 | $42,343,440 | $5,574,362 | $3,814,463 | $3,060,147 |
| 2022 | $36,583,020 | $5,566,551 | $4,580,955 | $3,855,448 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $45,641,507 | $42,343,440 | $36,583,020 |
| Revenue | $4,001,512 | $5,574,362 | $5,566,551 |
| Expenses | $4,235,072 | $3,814,463 | $4,580,955 |
| Net Investment Income | $954,487 | $734,636 | $655,653 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 24, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Paul Dedan as president, Brian Filinger as vice president, and Janis Meyer as treasurer. Listed board members were Brandon Khan, Kay Lauer, Ruth Wheeler, and Jeff Williams. Becky Nurnberg was listed as executive director from January to March, and Linda Kehres-Schmidt from March to December. Loni Heinen was listed as financial officer.
Emporia Community Foundation is led by Becky Nurnberg, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 3 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Becky Nurnberg
Executive Director
Executive Director & Secretary → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$85K (2021) → $30K (2024)
Linda Kehres-Schmidt
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$71K (2024)
Paul Dedan
President
Member → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Loni Heinen
Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$45K (2020) → $72K (2024)
Janis Meyer
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kay Lauer
Board Member
President → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Williams
Board Member
Vice President → President, 2022
President → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ruth Wheeler
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Khan
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Filinger
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Bill Barnes (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Ken Buchele (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Bob Symmonds (2019–2020) — Member
- Former: Rebecca Nurnberg (2019–2020) — Executive Director & Secretary
- Former: Steve Younger (2019–2020) — Vice President
- Former: Patricia Saenz-Reyes (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $72K, to Loni Heinen (Financial Officer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 527 Commercial St B, Emporia, KS 66801
Phone: (620) 342-9304
Website: https://emporiacf.org
Frequently asked questions about Emporia Community Foundation
How much does Emporia Community Foundation give each year?
Emporia Community Foundation gave $3.5M across 67 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.1M across 64 grants.
What is Emporia Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Emporia Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $18,000, and its average grant was $52,080, across 67 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Emporia Community Foundation that year got $31K on average.
Where does Emporia Community Foundation give grants?
Emporia Community Foundation gives mostly in Kansas: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Emporia, KS (37 grants), Manhattan, KS (3 grants), Cottonwood Falls, KS (2 grants) and Strong City, KS (2 grants).
Does Emporia Community Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of Emporia Community Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 67) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Support Faith Based Ministry" (5 grants) and "Support Park Improvements" (4 grants).
Who are Emporia Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Emporia Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Newman Regional Health ($841,583), CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness ($394,663) and Symphony in the Flint Hills ($347,676), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Emporia Community Foundation?
Emporia Community Foundation reported $45.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.0M.
What does Emporia Community Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is “to connect caring people with causes that build stronger communities” in its seven-county service area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Emporia Community Foundation?
Use the relevant fund’s application or forms on the Foundation’s grants page. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Emporia Community Foundation's EIN?
Emporia Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-1169158. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Emporia Community Foundation by hand.
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