Sally Ann Firestone Foundation
The Sally Ann Firestone Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1985 and located in Kansas City, Missouri. The foundation was named after Sally Ann Firestone (1947-2024), a prominent Kansas City philanthropist and disability rights advocate who survived the 1981 Hyatt Regency skywalk collapse as a quadriplegic. The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation with grants awarded through trustee discretion.
Key facts about Sally Ann Firestone Foundation
- EIN
- 43-1330037
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,560,776
- Grants made (2024)
- 37
- Average grant
- $177,318
- Median grant
- $101,250
- Primary geography
- Missouri (68% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation operates with no public application process. Recent Grant Activity:.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sally Ann Firestone Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Sally Ann Firestone Foundation's 37 itemized 2024 grants were Missouri (68%) and Kansas (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (17 grants). None of its 37 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (35 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$6.6M
+9272.5% YoY
Grant Count
37
+640.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$177K
+1166.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Sally Ann Firestone Foundation focuses on three core funding areas:
- Religion: Support for religious institutions and faith-based organizations
- Education: Educational initiatives and institutions
- Accessibility for Physically Challenged People: Programs and organizations serving individuals with physical disabilities, reflecting Sally Firestone's personal experiences and commitment
Grantmaking
Grant Types
How to Apply
**: The foundation operates with no public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than competitive solicitation.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Kansas City, Missouri area
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 37 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $876,967
- Total Revenues: $59,834
- Total Expenses: $76,657
- Investment Income and Dividends: $51,756
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $8,014
- Annual Giving: $70,000
Staffing: 0 employees (2023)
IRS Classification: 501(c)(3) private foundation (EIN: 43-1330037)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
60 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Greater Kansas City Community Foundation ($1,811,199), Kansas City Academy ($506,250), Crosslines Community Outreach ($506,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GREATER KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION KANSAS CITY, MO | OPERATIONS | $1,811,199 |
| KANSAS CITY ACADEMY KANSAS CITY, MO | FINANCIAL AID/OPERATIONS | $506,250 |
| CROSSLINES COMMUNITY OUTREACH KANSAS CITY, KS | OPERATIONS | $506,250 |
| KINGSWOOD FOUNDATION KANSAS CITY, MO | OPERATIONS | $506,250 |
| RESTART KANSAS CITY, MO | OPERATIONS | $354,375 |
| HARVESTERS KANSAS CITY, MO | OPERATIONS | $253,125 |
| UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES ATLANTA, GA | OPERATIONS | $227,813 |
| CRAIG HOSPITAL ENGLEWOOD, CO | OPERATIONS | $202,500 |
| SAINT PAUL SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY LEAWOOD, KS | OPERATIONS | $202,500 |
| INSPIRATION MINISTRIES - WALWORTH WALWORTH, WI | OPERATIONS | $202,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Contact: C/o B John Readey, 1200 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64105-2100
Phone: 816-374-3200 (managed through UMB Bank)
The foundation does not maintain a public website or email contact information.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATHLEEN BURNETT | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| B JOHN READEY | SECRETARY/TREASURER | — | — |
| WENDY MEJIA | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| BETTY TRACEWELL | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sally Ann Firestone Foundation fund?
The Sally Ann Firestone Foundation focuses on three core funding areas: • **Religion**: Support for religious institutions and faith-based organizations • **Education**: Educational initiatives and institutions • **Accessibility for Physically Challenged People**: Programs and organizations serving individuals with physical disabilities, reflecting Sally Firestone's personal experiences and commitment
How do I apply for a grant from Sally Ann Firestone Foundation?
**Application Process**: The foundation operates with no public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion rather than competitive solicitation. **Recent Grant Activity**: • 2023: 5 grants totaling approximately $70,000 • 2022: 6 grants made **Recent Grants (2023)**: • Kansas City Academy: $40,000 (Financial Aid/operations) • Folly Theater: $10,000 (Operations) • Developing Potential (DPI): $7,500 (Operations) **Grant Types**: The foundation primarily funds operations an…
Where does Sally Ann Firestone Foundation make grants?
Kansas City, Missouri area
What size grants does Sally Ann Firestone Foundation award?
In 2024, Sally Ann Firestone Foundation awarded 37 grants totaling $6.6M — an average of about $177K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Sally Ann Firestone Foundation's EIN?
Sally Ann Firestone Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1330037. 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.