Patterson Family Foundation
The Patterson Family Foundation is a family-led private foundation based in Kansas City, Missouri, that extends the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. Its stated mission is “Working together to help rural communities thrive,” with a geographic focus on rural communities in Kansas and western Missouri.
Patterson Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Patterson Family Foundation gave $22.3M across 607 grants in 2021 (avg $37K), mostly in Kansas. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $22,296,325
- +104.2% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 607
- +18.3% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $36,732
- +72.6% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $6,300
- Total assets
- $1,526,002,008
- +281.6% vs 2020
- Primary geography
- Kansas (53% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Patterson Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 209 W 47Th Street 200, Kansas City, MO 64112
Phone: (833) 614-2450
Website: https://pattersonfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
13 open opportunities from Patterson Family Foundation
Advanced and Specialized Course Access
Patterson Family Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Childcare Grant
Patterson Family Foundation
Amount
US $100,000 - US $500,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Entrepreneurship and Business Support Grant
Patterson Family Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Patterson Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was American Royal Association ($2.9M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $9.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($4,120), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,120 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,000 grants of 1,120 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes its geographic focus as Kansas and western Missouri counties with fewer than 50,000 residents. In 2021, 53% of grant dollars went to recipients in Kansas and 45% to recipients in Missouri; smaller shares went to Colorado, Vermont, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 607 itemized grants.
Cities
How Patterson Family Foundation gives
- 38% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
- In 2021 it paid out 82% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021). 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 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $10.9M (2020) to $22.3M (2021). In 2021 it made 607 grants totaling $22.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Royal Association Kansas City, MO | 2ND of 4 Annual Payments - Building Campaign | $2,500,000 |
| Kansas City University Kansas City, MO | 1ST of 5 Annual Installments on Pledge | $1,800,000 |
| The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City, MO | 3RD of 4 Annual Installments | $1,000,000 |
| Sprout House Learning Center Lindsborg, KS | Sprout House Capital Campaign | $845,566 |
| Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship Inc Andover, KS | Network Kansas Operational Grant | $500,000 |
| MRI Global Kansas City, MO | Capital Campaign | $500,000 |
| Kansas Department of Health and Environment Topeka, KS | Covid-19 PPE | $378,750 |
| Kansas 4-H Foundation Inc Manhattan, KS | Leadership Programs and Camperships | $349,970 |
| American Royal Association Kansas City, MO | 2021 Junior Premium Livestock Auction | $331,820 |
| Kansas Department of Commerce Topeka, KS | Emergency Heal Program | $324,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation files Form 990-PF, identified as a private foundation. The most recent filing on record is for 2021.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $1,526,002,008 | $1,174,628,172 | $28,390,058 | $22,296,325 | 607 | $23,766,315 | $181,508,483 | $29,095,657 |
| 2020 | $399,846,544 | $96,924,682 | $13,574,396 | $10,916,207 | 513 | — | $6,750,506 | $14,300,840 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Patterson Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $29.1M for 2021 — 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 economic opportunity, education, and healthcare as priorities. It describes its work as supporting rural communities through collaboration with local leaders, businesses, and organizations. The website also lists program, operations, equipment, and capital grants.
The 2021 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the American Royal Association describes its mission as food and agriculture education, events, and engagement; Kansas City University describes its work in education, research, patient care, and community service; and the Kansas 4-H Foundation says it supports youth development and leadership. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation reported 607 grants totaling $22,296,325. The median grant was $6,300, with awards ranging from $144 to $2,500,000.
Among the largest 2021 grants were $2,500,000 to the American Royal Association for the second of four annual building-campaign payments; $1,800,000 to Kansas City University as the first of five annual installments on a pledge; $1,000,000 to The Pembroke Hill School as the third of four annual installments; and $845,566 to Sprout House Learning Center for a capital campaign. Other notable awards included $500,000 to the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship for a Network Kansas operational grant and $500,000 to MRI Global for a capital campaign.
The 2021 filing states that the foundation made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. The foundation’s website describes a registration and letter-of-intent process, but its 2026 dates are past as of October 2, 2026, and the lack of a later filing means that process is not presented here as current.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Lindsey Patterson Smith, Clay Patterson, Cortney Patterson Barton, and William Patterson as trustees.
Patterson Family Foundation's 2021 filing lists 4 officers; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2021 is compensated.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Lindsey Patterson Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2020
32 hrs/week
$100K (2020) → $100K (2021)
Clay Patterson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cortney Patterson Barton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Patterson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $100K, to Lindsey Patterson Smith (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Patterson Family Foundation
How much does Patterson Family Foundation give each year?
Patterson Family Foundation gave $22.3M across 607 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $10.9M across 513 grants.
What is Patterson Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Patterson Family Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $6,300, and its average grant was $36,732, across 607 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Patterson Family Foundation give grants?
Patterson Family Foundation gives mostly in Kansas: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Missouri (45%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (23 grants), Topeka, KS (9 grants), Chanute, KS (8 grants) and Marion, KS (7 grants).
Does Patterson Family Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of Patterson Family Foundation's 2021 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 607) were for general or operating support, per its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "School Pandemic Relief Grant" (177 grants), "Covid-19 PPE" (155 grants) and "School Pandemic Relief - 2021" (71 grants).
Who are Patterson Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Patterson Family Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include American Royal Association ($2,931,820 across 3 grants), Kansas City University ($2,350,000 across 3 grants) and The Pembroke Hill School ($1,000,000), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($4,120), which are not listed by name. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
How large is Patterson Family Foundation?
Patterson Family Foundation reported $1.5B in total assets on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $23.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $29.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Patterson Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website identifies economic opportunity, education, and healthcare as priorities. It describes its work as supporting rural communities through collaboration with local leaders, businesses, and organizations. The website also lists program, operations, equipment, and capital grants. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Patterson Family Foundation?
Patterson Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check pattersonfamilyfoundation.org for any change to that policy.
What is Patterson Family Foundation's EIN?
Patterson Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-7550081. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does Patterson 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 2020–2021
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