Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc, known as the FIRE Foundation, is a Kansas City, Missouri-based public charity supporting inclusive Catholic education. It provides grants and educational resources to help Catholic schools include students with disabilities and learning differences alongside their peers.
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc at a glance
In short: Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc gave $1.1M across 28 grants in 2025 (avg $39K), mostly in Missouri. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,092,251
- +44.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 28
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $39,009
- +8.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $35,240
- Total assets
- $1,667,871
- -14.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (7 of 28, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (77% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc
- How to Apply
-
Partner School and Spark School applicants must be invited to apply. For Special Off Cycle Grants, the website directs applicants to submit a request to the Executive Director. Teacher scholarship applicants submit a formal written request.
- Review Cycle
- Partner School and Spark School grant cycles open in January, with notifications in the first week of March. Teacher scholarship requests should be submitted at least two months before the continuing education date.
- Deadline
- Partner School and Spark School grant cycles open in January, with notifications in the first week of March.
- Next open deadline
- January 1, 2027 (FIRE Grants - Catholic School and Parish Leadership)
- Contact
Mailing address: 20 West 9Th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105
Phone: (816) 226-8698
Website: https://firefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc
FIRE Grants - Catholic School and Parish Leadership
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Expected ~January
Based on past cycles
Heart of FIRE Scholarship - Student Scholarships
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc
Amount
$10,000 (total awarded annually)
Deadline
Expected ~March
Based on past cycles
Teacher Scholarships
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Speech & Language Solutions LLC ($103K). Together the top 10 received $648K.
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 93 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
FIRE’s Partner School grants serve Catholic schools within the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. In filing year 2025, 77% of grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri; other listed recipient-state shares were Indiana (5%), Iowa (4%), Illinois (3%), and Texas (2%). The foundation also describes an affiliate network supporting inclusive Catholic education in other dioceses.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 28 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 28 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $37K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $23K first-time, $40K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $485K (2019) to $1.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 28 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Speech & Language Solutions LLC Lees Summit, MO | Covering Speech and Occupational therapy for students with special needs in participating schools | $103,415 |
| St Elizabeth Elementary School Kansas City, MO | To support inclusive education for children with special needs | $72,000 |
| St Michael the Archangel Lees Summit, MO | To support inclusive education for children with special needs | $70,000 |
| St Peter's School Kansas City, MO | To support inclusive education for children with special needs | $67,000 |
| St Therese School Kansas City, MO | To support inclusive education for children with special needs | $67,000 |
| Visitation Grade School Kansas City, MO | To support inclusive education for children with special needs | $61,000 |
| Our Lady of the Presentation Lees Summit, MO | To support inclusive education for children with special needs | $59,000 |
| University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN | To support inclusive education for children with special needs | $58,600 |
| Nativity of Mary School Independence, MO | To support inclusive education for children with special needs | $45,000 |
| Our Lady of Hope Kansas City, MO | To support inclusive education for children with special needs | $45,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,667,871 | $1,382,514 | $1,684,936 | $1,092,251 | 28 | $59,054 |
| 2024 | $1,945,379 | $1,303,583 | $1,431,186 | $753,976 | 21 | $55,429 |
| 2023 | $1,963,761 | $2,297,196 | $1,234,203 | $684,000 | 15 | $15,516 |
| 2022 | $780,483 | $1,156,613 | $1,046,238 | $629,994 | 15 | $16,131 |
| 2021 | $765,852 | $1,085,052 | $914,310 | $574,986 | 14 | $8,612 |
| 2020 | $562,710 | $840,259 | $793,943 | $525,175 | 14 | $4,975 |
| 2019 | $460,634 | $723,020 | $765,499 | $484,998 | 13 | $3,171 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
FIRE’s mission is “to champion the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools by providing educational resources, fundraising and promoting a culture of belonging.”
Its Partner School grants may support paraprofessional and special education teacher salaries, professional development, and learning materials, technology, and equipment. The foundation also provides speech-language and occupational therapy services at partner schools. It describes its broader work as sharing its inclusion support and advocacy model with other school communities and affiliate organizations.
Grantees named in the 2025 filing include Catholic schools and other organizations. For example, St Peter’s School in Kansas City received a grant to support inclusive education for children with special needs; the filing also lists Speech & Language Solutions LLC for speech and occupational therapy for students with special needs in participating schools. Separately, St Peter’s School in Philadelphia describes its own mission as serving children from preschool through eighth grade.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, FIRE reported 28 grants totaling $1,092,251. Grant amounts ranged from $5,981 to $103,415, with a median of $35,240. The largest listed grants included $103,415 to Speech & Language Solutions LLC for speech and occupational therapy in participating schools; $72,000 to St Elizabeth Elementary School; $70,000 to St Michael the Archangel; and $67,000 each to St Peter’s School and St Therese School. The school grants were described as supporting inclusive education for children with special needs.
Partner School and Spark School grant cycles open in January, with notifications in the first week of March. Partner School grants are for Catholic schools within the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph that plan to enroll a child with significant intellectual or developmental disabilities or a learning difference. Schools must demonstrate commitment to inclusion, have appropriate educational staff, plans, and support, and provide a section of their website dedicated to inclusive Catholic education. Spark School grants are restricted to staff professional development for schools preparing to welcome students with significant needs. The website says institutions interested in either program must be invited to apply.
The 2024 filing describes a formal application process that includes a scheduled interview between each school principal and FIRE’s Grant Committee. The committee considers the application and school’s needs; grants are disbursed in August, November, January, and May of the next school year. Recipients submit a mid-year progress report in December, and award letters specify restricted uses of funds. The filing says schools should notify the committee if the population of students with special needs changes during the year. The website also describes Special Off Cycle Grants.
FIRE separately offers teacher scholarships for continuing education related to inclusive teaching and learning. Applicants submit a written request describing the training, its relevance, costs, and timing, at least two months before the training date. Its Heart of FIRE Scholarship is for eligible eighth-grade students and high school seniors at FIRE partner schools; the annual $10,000 award is distributed among recipients and announced in spring.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Erin Neuburger as President, Jim Still as Vice President, Gretchen Vosburgh as Treasurer, and Brian Madden as Secretary. It lists Lynn Hire as Executive Director from June 2024 to February 2025, along with board members Karl Barron, Katheigh Degen, Chris Gaughan, Buffy Gunter, and Maribeth Joyce. The 2025 annual report identifies Molly Fisher as Executive Director and Jim Still as Board Chair.
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc is led by Lynn Hire, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 1 of 23 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lynn Hire
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$69K (2019) → $89K (2025)
Erin Neuburger
President
Board Member → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Molly Fisher
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Buffy Gunter
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gretchen Vosburgh
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2019
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jenny Stasi
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2019
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katheigh Degen
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marie Kissick
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Ungashick
Board Member
Board Member → President, 2020
President → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Madden
Board Member
Vice President → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Switzer
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Rieger
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Gaughan
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Still
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2021
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Madden
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Root
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Van Dyke
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Kroh
Board Member - Executive Officio
Board Member → Board Member - Executive Officio, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sally Kammerer
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Van Dyke
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karl Barron
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maribeth Joyce
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maureen Whittaker
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: John Joyce (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Ryan Underwood (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Francie Knackendoffel (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jessica James (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Stuckey (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Clare McClaren (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Parrish (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Todd DeMint (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Carol Caron (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Adriana Martinez (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Erin Duba (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Lindsey Anderson (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Pat Fanning (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Peggy VanDyke (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Dan Peters (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Debbie Whittaker (2019–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: John Tyner (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Michele Markey (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Caitlin Kaczmarczyk (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $89K, to Lynn Hire (Executive Director (6/2024-2/2025)).
Frequently asked questions about Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc
How much does Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc give each year?
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc gave $1.1M across 28 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $754K across 21 grants.
What is Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc's typical grant size?
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc's median grant in 2025 was $35,240, and its average grant was $39,009, across 28 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc that year got $37K on average.
Where does Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc give grants?
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc gives mostly in Missouri: 77% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Indiana (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (12 grants) and Lees Summit, MO (3 grants).
Does Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 28 grants with a stated purpose on Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc's largest grantees?
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Speech & Language Solutions LLC ($103,415), St Elizabeth Elementary School ($72,000) and St Michael the Archangel ($70,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc?
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.4M.
What does Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc fund?
FIRE’s mission is “to champion the inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools by providing educational resources, fundraising and promoting a culture of belonging.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc?
Partner School and Spark School applicants must be invited to apply. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc's EIN?
Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1771385. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 27, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc funds
Religion Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-for-inclusive-religious-education-inc-morg_dd66cff478cb4c1789ffdac37668af5c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_431771385_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-for-inclusive-religious-education-inc-morg_dd66cff478cb4c1789ffdac37668af5c},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-07. 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 Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education Inc'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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