Redbud Foundation
Redbud Foundation is a private foundation based in Topeka, Kansas. Its 2024 grants supported education and scholarships, arts and cultural activities, children’s programs, neighborhood development, and public-facing science communication.
Redbud Foundation at a glance
In short: Redbud Foundation gave $1.8M across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $161K), top state Michigan. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,774,800
- -53.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- -21.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $161,345
- -40.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $90,000
- Total assets
- $11,056,099
- -11.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (2 of 11, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (35% 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 Redbud Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4848 Sw 21St Street Ste 201, Topeka, KS 66604
Phone: (785) 408-8003
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Redbud Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Hillsdale College ($615K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 60 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan (35%), Kansas (31%), Colorado (28%), and New York (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Redbud Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 11 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $320K; repeat grants $126K. How we count
Medians: $320K first-time, $90K repeat.
- 82% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 37% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 322% 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 $930K (2020) to $3.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale College Hillsdale, MI | To provide students with literary, scientific, and theological education. This grant establishes an endowed scholarship fund for students of the college. | $615,000 |
| ACE Scholarships Denver, CO | Support scholarships. | $500,000 |
| Kansas Policy Institute Wichita, KS | To support student-focused education programs and to support the Kansas School Board Resource Center. | $200,000 |
| North Topeka Arts District Inc Topeka, KS | Establish a viable arts community in North Topeka. | $114,000 |
| American Council on Science and Health New York, NY | To provide current scientific analyses on key issues related to chemicals, health, energy, and food. | $100,000 |
| Washburn University Foundation Topeka, KS | Strengthen Washburn University and enhance the educational opportunities and experiences of our students. Grant earmarked for scholarships for participants of the Ichabod Success Institute. | $90,000 |
| Kansas Children's Discovery Center Topeka, KS | Enhance the lives of children; inspire creativity and a lifelong love of learning; enrich the health of our community through education; and provide an exciting and safe place for families to learn, play and interact. Grant earmarked for Access Discovery Programs. | $62,800 |
| SENT Inc Topeka, KS | To accomplish the holistic tranformation of neighborhoods in Shawnee County through relationships and strategic development. Grant earmarked for Early Childhood Education Program. | $50,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $25,000 |
| The Topeka Symphony Society Topeka, KS | To encourage and cultivate appreciation and support for fine music in northeast Kansas. Grant earmarked for Youth Symphony Concerts and School Days Concerts. | $15,000 |
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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 | $11,056,099 | $643,418 | $2,111,822 | $1,774,800 | 11 | $1,774,800 | $527,059 | $550,731 |
| 2023 | $12,524,503 | $3,306,083 | $4,030,771 | $3,781,500 | 14 | $3,781,500 | $328,274 | $598,791 |
| 2022 | $13,249,191 | $461,122 | $1,192,230 | $938,947 | 13 | $938,947 | $179,992 | $661,082 |
| 2021 | $13,980,299 | $14,104,221 | $1,398,258 | $1,296,590 | 12 | $1,296,590 | $644 | $228,179 |
| 2020 | $1,274,336 | $657,648 | $991,804 | $930,250 | 10 | — | $7,648 | $93,000 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Redbud Foundation reported a distributable amount of $551K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for student scholarships and educational programs, arts events and community development, children’s learning programs, and science analyses for the public.
Among its grantees, Kansas Policy Institute describes its mission as protecting constitutional rights, expanding access to educational opportunities, and allowing Kansans to keep more of what they earn. North Topeka Arts District says it cultivates art and experiences to inspire opportunity, enhance economic vitality, and improve quality of life. Washburn University Foundation says it supports the development of financial resources for Washburn University. Kansas Children’s Discovery Center says it enhances children’s lives and enriches the communities it serves. SENT Inc says it walks alongside neighbors through relationships and strategic development to transform neighborhoods in Shawnee County.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 11 grants totaling $1,774,800. Grants ranged from $3,000 to $615,000, with a median of $90,000. Among the grants were $615,000 to Hillsdale College for an endowed scholarship fund, $500,000 to ACE Scholarships for scholarships, $200,000 to Kansas Policy Institute for student-focused education programs and the Kansas School Board Resource Center, and $114,000 to North Topeka Arts District to establish a viable arts community in North Topeka. Other grants included $100,000 to the American Council on Science and Health, $90,000 to Washburn University Foundation for scholarships for Ichabod Success Institute participants, and $62,800 to Kansas Children’s Discovery Center for Access Discovery Programs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gerald Lauber as President and Director; Thomas E Zanecchia as Secretary and Director; JC Bloom as Treasurer and Director; and Dave Newbery as Assistant Treasurer/Secretary and Director.
Redbud Foundation is led by Gerald Lauber, President & Director since 2022 (on filings since 2020); all 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gerald Lauber
President & Director
Vice President → Vice President & President, 2021
Vice President & President → President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Dave Newbery
Assistant Treasurer, Secretary & Director
Assistant Treasurer & Secretary → Assistant Treasurer, Secretary & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$50K (2022) → $48K (2024)
JC Bloom
Treasurer & Director
Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Treasurer & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Thomas E Zanecchia
Secretary & Director
Secretary → Secretary & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Glenn Swogger Jr. (2020–2021) — President & Treasurer
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 $60K, to Thomas E Zanecchia (Secretary, Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Redbud Foundation
How much does Redbud Foundation give each year?
Redbud Foundation gave $1.8M across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.8M across 14 grants.
What is Redbud Foundation's typical grant size?
Redbud Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $90,000, and its average grant was $161,345, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Redbud Foundation that year got $320K on average.
Where does Redbud Foundation give grants?
Redbud Foundation's top state is Michigan, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Kansas (31%) and Colorado (28%). The most frequent recipient cities were Topeka, KS (5 grants).
Does Redbud Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Redbud Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Redbud Foundation's largest grantees?
Redbud Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Hillsdale College ($615,000), ACE Scholarships ($500,000) and Kansas Policy Institute ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Redbud Foundation?
Redbud Foundation reported $11.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $551K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Redbud Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for student scholarships and educational programs, arts events and community development, children’s learning programs, and science analyses for the public. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Redbud Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and 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 Redbud Foundation's EIN?
Redbud Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0375951. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Redbud 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 September 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). Redbud Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/redbud-foundation-morg_56b5877a8bb8423e946a7c4a67ce4a8d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_260375951_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Redbud Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/redbud-foundation-morg_56b5877a8bb8423e946a7c4a67ce4a8d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Redbud 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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