Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation logo

Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation

HAYS, KS EIN: 48-1077463 Website

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

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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

7states

Cities

AbileneAkronAllianceBartlesvilleBird CityBunker HillCameronChadronClay CenterCottonwood FallsEllisGothenburgGreat BendHaysHoisingtonHot SpringsHutchinsonJunction CityKansas CityLa Crosse

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
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$7M$14M$22M$29M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
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

$0$952K$2M$3M$4M76 grants2020129 grants202187 grants202292 grants202380 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

FHSU FOUNDATION$500KELLIS COUNTY HISTORICAL …$350KFHSU FOUNDATION$300KFHSU FOUNDATION$250KGROW HAYS INC$250KGROW HAYS INC$250KDSNWK$170KGROW HAYS INC$50KHAYS MED FOUNDATION$50KHAYS PUBLIC LIBRARY$50K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

204<$50K21$50–100K9$100–250K12$250–500K4$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Contact Person:

  • Gary Shorman

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

GARY SHORMANTRUSTEE/PRESIDENT$79KJOSEPH W JETERTRUSTEE$49KRANDY WALKERTRUSTEE$49KKURT DAVIDTRUSTEE$49K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
GARY SHORMANTRUSTEE/PRESIDENT10$79,000
JOSEPH W JETERTRUSTEE5$49,000
RANDY WALKERTRUSTEE5$49,000
KURT DAVIDTRUSTEE5$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

Related Funders

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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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