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.
Key facts about Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation
- EIN
- 48-1077463
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,876,141
- Grants made (2025)
- 70
- Average grant
- $55,373
- Median grant
- $20,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (11 of 52, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Kansas (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Decisions made at quarterly board meetings. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation's 70 itemized 2025 grants were Kansas (94%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hays, KS (41 grants), North Platte, NE (3 grants), Hutchinson, KS (3 grants) and Manhattan, KS (3 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 52 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $52K; repeat grants $81K. How we count
Medians: $40K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 60% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+8%). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation
- How to evaluate Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.9M
+7.9% YoY
Grant Count
70
-12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$55K
+23.4% YoY
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
**
Ready to take the next step with Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation?
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
Share of all 70 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
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 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
458 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Hays Arts Council ($677,666 across 4 grants), Fhsu Foundation ($586,600 across 5 grants), High Plains Mental Health Center ($500,000 across 2 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HAYS ARTS COUNCIL Hays, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $333,333 |
| HAYS ARTS COUNCIL Hays, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $333,333 |
| FHSU FOUNDATION Hays, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $300,000 |
| FHSU FOUNDATION Hays, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $250,000 |
| FORT HAYS TECH NORTH CENTRAL FOUNDATION Hays, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $250,000 |
| GROW HAYS INC Hays, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $250,000 |
| HIGH PLAINS MENTAL HEALTH CENTER Hays, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $250,000 |
| HIGH PLAINS MENTAL HEALTH CENTER Hays, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $250,000 |
| KVC FOUNDATION Olathe, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $250,000 |
| DSNWK Hays, KS | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $170,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Contact Person:
- Gary Shorman
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS 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 |
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?
Decisions made at quarterly board meetings. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2025, Robert E and Patricia Schmidt Foundation awarded 70 grants totaling $3.9M — an average of about $55K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2020–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.