Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation
The Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1989 in Kansas. Based in Hays, Kansas, the foundation was created by Bob and Pat Schmidt to improve the quality of life in their communities. The foundation operates under the philosophy "Forward Ever. Backward Never," reflecting the founders' commitment to progress and community development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$64.2M
+4.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.6M
-5.7% YoY
Grant Count
80
-13.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$45K
+8.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in communities served by the Schmidt family. Bob and Pat Schmidt believed in giving back to their communities, with the conviction that "the rising tide lifts all boats—if you give back to your community, it begins a chain reaction of good and creates a place where we can all grow and thrive."
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Health and medical services
- Community health and wellness
- Human services
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amounts historically in the $400,000–$500,000 range
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus: Hays and Ellis County, Kansas
Secondary focus: Communities where the Schmidt family operated farms, ranches, and broadcasting/broadband businesses
Broader consideration: Merit-based projects throughout Kansas and neighboring states
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $64,178,631 (as of 2024)
Annual Giving:
- Total giving: $3,590,970 (2024)
- Approximate annual giving: $323,335
Revenue & Expenses (FY 2024):
- Total revenues: $7,121,017
- Total expenses: $4,500,345
- Investment income and dividends: $1,888,619
Staffing:
- 1 employee
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $64,178,631 | $61,657,273 | $62,190,844 |
| Revenue | $7,121,017 | $4,318,117 | $4,179,897 |
| Expenses | $4,500,345 | $4,684,524 | $4,577,328 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,590,970 | $3,809,800 | $3,602,800 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,963,059 | $3,041,754 | $2,385,955 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,810,082 | $3,595,930 | $3,819,559 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fhsu Foundation ($500,000), Ellis County Historical Society ($350,000), Fhsu Foundation ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLIED ARTS COUNCIL OF ST JOE MO ST JOE, MO | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $20,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS WICHITA, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
| BARTON COMM COLLEGE FOUNDATION GREAT BEND, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $40,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS HAYS, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $20,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MANHATTAN INC MANHATTAN, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $2,500 |
| CAMP QUALITY NWMO ST JOSEPH, MO | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $1,000 |
| CANCER COUNCIL OF ELLIS COUNTY HAYS, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $20,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF NORTHERN KANSAS SALINA, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $30,000 |
| CENTER FOR LIFE EXPERIENCE HAYS, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| CHADRON STATE FOUNDATION CHADRON, NE | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Contact Person:
- Gary Shorman
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GARY SHORMAN | TRUSTEE/PRESIDENT | 10 | $79,000 |
| JOSEPH W JETER | TRUSTEE | 5 | $49,000 |
| RANDY WALKER | TRUSTEE | 5 | $49,000 |
| KURT DAVID | TRUSTEE | 5 | $49,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 1011 W 27th St, Suite F2 Hays, KS 67601-4824
Phone: 785-625-1772
Website: schmidtfoundation.net
EIN: 48-1077463
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation fund?
The foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in communities served by the Schmidt family. Bob and Pat Schmidt believed in giving back to their communities, with the conviction that "the rising tide lifts all boats—if you give back to your community, it begins a chain reaction of good and creates a place where we can all grow and thrive." Primary funding areas include: • Education • Health and medical services • Community health and wellness • Human services • Philanthropy and vo…
How do I apply for a grant from Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant awards range from $10,000 to $100,000+ • Average grant amounts historically in the $400,000–$500,000 range • The foundation made 76 grants in its most recent fiscal year **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Ellis County Historical Society: $350,000 (General Operations) • KVC Foundation: $250,000 (General Operations) • Grow Hays: $250,000 (General Operations) **Application Process:** • Decisions made at quarterly board meetings • Typical decision timelin…
Where does Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation make grants?
Primary focus: Hays and Ellis County, Kansas Secondary focus: Communities where the Schmidt family operated farms, ranches, and broadcasting/broadband businesses Broader consideration: Merit-based projects throughout Kansas and neighboring states
What size grants does Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation award?
In 2024, Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation awarded 80 grants totaling $3.6M — an average of about $45K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation's EIN?
Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-1077463. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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