KAO Family Foundation
The Kao Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Olathe, Kansas. Established in 2004 by Dr. and Mrs. Min H. Kao, it supports charitable, educational, literary, and scientific purposes, with current areas of interest including STEM education, health and medical, humanitarian work, arts and culture, and environmental sustainability.
KAO Family Foundation at a glance
In short: KAO Family Foundation gave $13.0M across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $520K), mostly in Illinois. 12% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,001,297
- +220.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- -40.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $520,052
- +437.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $150,000
- Total assets
- $123,009,527
- +25.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (3 of 25, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (61% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to KAO Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1200 East 151St Street, Olathe, KS 66062
Phone: (913) 440-1355
Website: https://kaofamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who KAO Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National Taiwan University Academic Development Foundation ($7.9M). Together the top 10 received $11.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
130 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 49 grants of 130 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Kansas and its grants support organizations in multiple states. In 2024, grant dollars were distributed primarily to recipients in Illinois (61%), Missouri (12%), Kansas (11%), California (7%), and New York (2%). Its website also describes the Kao Family Education Foundation in Taiwan as a sister foundation supporting educational and civic programs there.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is KAO Family Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 25 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $116K; repeat grants $575K. How we count
Medians: $97K first-time, $150K repeat.
- 84% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 178% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 220% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.3M (2020) to $13.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $13.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Taiwan University Academic Development Foundation Willowbrook, IL | Organization's General Charitable Purposes | $7,915,765 |
| KAO Family Education Foundation Olathe, KS | Organization's General Charitable Purposes | $1,055,000 |
| Children's Mercy (For Nick's Voice) Kansas City, MO | Organization's General Charitable Purposes | $943,778 |
| Scleroderma Research Foundation San Francisco, CA | Organization's General Charitable Purposes | $500,000 |
| Thorn Manhattan Beach, CA | Organization's General Charitable Purposes | $417,249 |
| Kansas State University Foundation Manhattan, KS | Organization's General Charitable Purposes | $212,490 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, FL | Organization's General Charitable Purposes | $203,318 |
| Missouri University of Science & Technology Rolla, MO | Organization's General Charitable Purposes | $203,318 |
| Reconciliation Services Kansas City, MO | Organization's General Charitable Purposes | $188,756 |
| Kansas University Endowment Assoc Lawrence, KS | Organization's General Charitable Purposes | $170,256 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $123,009,527 | $27,248,139 | $13,269,208 | $13,001,297 | 25 | $13,208,845 | $4,466,642 | $6,003,626 |
| 2023 | $98,045,298 | $18,457,445 | $4,332,702 | $4,063,363 | 42 | $4,277,149 | $4,190,124 | $4,455,710 |
| 2022 | $83,920,555 | $4,898,390 | $3,711,657 | $3,481,904 | 20 | $3,645,357 | $3,449,163 | $4,060,982 |
| 2021 | $82,668,513 | $12,086,718 | $4,895,310 | $4,680,634 | 25 | $4,843,804 | $3,498,562 | $4,639,675 |
| 2020 | $72,988,548 | $7,496,475 | $3,538,787 | $3,345,359 | 18 | — | $3,289,473 | $3,807,001 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, KAO Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.0M for 2024 — 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’s website identifies STEM education, health and medical, humanitarian work, arts and culture, and environmental sustainability as its primary areas of support. It also describes priorities including lasting impact, transparency and collaboration, direct impact, novel approaches, and participatory involvement by constituents and stakeholders.
Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in varied fields. The Children’s Mercy Hospital describes its work as children’s health care, research, innovation, and caregiver education. The Scleroderma Research Foundation says it funds research toward new treatments and a cure for scleroderma. THORN describes using technology and programs to protect children from sexual exploitation. Other recipients include university foundations, humanitarian organizations, and organizations addressing poverty, trauma, and trafficking.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $13,001,297. Grant amounts ranged from $8,425 to $7,915,765, with a median of $150,000. Its largest reported grants included $7,915,765 to the National Taiwan University Academic Development Foundation, $1,055,000 to the Kao Family Education Foundation, $943,778 to Children’s Mercy, $500,000 to the Scleroderma Research Foundation, and $417,249 to THORN. The filing lists the purposes of these grants as the recipients’ general charitable purposes.
The foundation’s website presents examples of grants across its focus areas, including support for Children’s Mercy Hospital, humanitarian relief, education, and environmental initiatives. It notes that a significant portion of endowments and major grants have been personally funded by Kao family members.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Min H. Kao as president and director; Kenneth Kao and Jennifer Kao as vice presidents and directors; Yu-Fan C. Kao as treasurer and director; Debra K. Pollard as secretary and assistant treasurer; and Nicolas Gonda, Adam C. Leibsohn, and Laurie A. Minard as directors.
KAO Family Foundation is led by Min H. Kao, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Min H. Kao
President & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adam C. Leibsohn
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Kao
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Kao
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurie A. Minard
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicolas Gonda
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yu-Fan C. Kao
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debra K. Pollard
Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$80K (2020) → $109K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $109K, to Debra K Pollard (Secretary, Asst. Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about KAO Family Foundation
How much does KAO Family Foundation give each year?
KAO Family Foundation gave $13.0M across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.1M across 42 grants.
What is KAO Family Foundation's typical grant size?
KAO Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $150,000, and its average grant was $520,052, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from KAO Family Foundation that year got $116K on average.
Where does KAO Family Foundation give grants?
KAO Family Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 61% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Missouri (12%) and Kansas (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (5 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does KAO Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of KAO Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (25 of 25) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are KAO Family Foundation's largest grantees?
KAO Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include National Taiwan University Academic Development Foundation ($7,915,765), KAO Family Education Foundation ($1,055,000) and Children's Mercy (For Nick's Voice) ($943,778), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is KAO Family Foundation?
KAO Family Foundation reported $123.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does KAO Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website identifies STEM education, health and medical, humanitarian work, arts and culture, and environmental sustainability as its primary areas of support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from KAO Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is KAO Family Foundation's EIN?
KAO Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2014620. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does KAO Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). KAO Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kao-family-foundation-morg_0a78aae00c774fb2b43b1cb2428dd97e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_202014620_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{KAO Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kao-family-foundation-morg_0a78aae00c774fb2b43b1cb2428dd97e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. 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 KAO Family 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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