Roman Foundation
Roman Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Paola, KS. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $2.1M in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 5 grants totaling $71K. Net investment income was $174K.
Roman Foundation at a glance
In short: Roman Foundation gave $71K across 5 grants in 2026 (avg $14K), mostly in Kansas. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $70,800
- +119.4% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 5
- +66.7% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $14,160
- +31.6% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $4,300
- Total assets
- $2,079,986
- +4.1% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Kansas (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who Roman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was City of Paola ($50K). Together the top 5 received $71K.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 21 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Roman Foundation gives
- Giving grew 31% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 86% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $32K (2025) to $170K (2024). In 2026 it made 5 grants totaling $71K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Paola Paola, KS | Pickleball Courts | $50,000 |
| USD #430 South Brown County Paola, KS | Center Stage | $11,000 |
| Friends of Library District #2 of Linn County-Lacygne Lacygne, KS | New Fridge | $4,300 |
| South Brown County Community Foundation Horton, KS | Philanthropy Education | $3,500 |
| Doniphan County Pet Rescue Bendena, KS | Spay/Neuter Program | $2,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $2,079,986 | $193,992 | $112,130 | $70,800 | 5 | $90,258 | $173,545 | $105,041 |
| 2025 | $1,998,124 | $113,418 | $82,262 | $32,273 | 3 | $60,725 | $93,865 | $99,162 |
| 2024 | $1,966,601 | $103,095 | $212,064 | $169,702 | 5 | $184,687 | $83,977 | $96,226 |
| 2023 | $2,075,570 | $-3,981 | $91,747 | $53,860 | 5 | $71,322 | $73,854 | $94,424 |
| 2022 | $2,171,299 | $124,611 | $133,606 | $87,500 | 3 | $108,895 | $102,281 | $119,094 |
| 2021 | $2,180,294 | $175,711 | $110,935 | $62,050 | 1 | — | $156,615 | $108,181 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Roman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $105K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Roman Foundation's only listed officer is First Option Bank, Trustee on every filing since 2021 (compensated).
Officers on the 2026 filing
First Option Bank
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$37K (2021) → $37K (2026)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $37K, to First Option Bank (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Roman Foundation
How much does Roman Foundation give each year?
Roman Foundation gave $71K across 5 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $32K across 3 grants.
What is Roman Foundation's typical grant size?
Roman Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $4,300, and its average grant was $14,160, across 5 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Roman Foundation give grants?
Roman Foundation gives mostly in Kansas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Paola, KS (2 grants).
Does Roman Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Roman Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Roman Foundation's largest grantees?
Roman Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include City of Paola ($50,000), USD #430 South Brown County ($11,000) and Friends of Library District #2 of Linn County-Lacygne ($4,300), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 92% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Roman Foundation?
Roman Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $90K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $105K (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 is Roman Foundation?
Roman Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Paola, KS. It holds $2.1M in total assets as of 2026.
What is Roman Foundation's EIN?
Roman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 68-6216887. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS July 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Roman Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Roman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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