Skillbuilders Fund
The SkillBuilders Fund is a private foundation based in Leawood, Kansas, dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of women and girls to realize their full potential. The foundation was created in 1983 by the late Marjorie Powell Allen, a civic leader and philanthropist who championed women's causes and education. The organization is committed to preparing women and girls for a future that honors their individual potential by supporting organizations that design programs to systematically improve women and girls' lives and help them overcome barriers to achievement.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.2M
-9.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$568K
+33.2% YoY
Grant Count
21
+16.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
+14.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Skillbuilders Fund reported a distributable amount of $234K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The SkillBuilders Fund makes grants to enhance the capabilities of women and girls to realize their full potential, with emphasis on programs and services in the Kansas City region. The foundation is especially interested in innovative means to help women gain self-sufficiency, build their capacity to function in society, and become responsible citizens.
Primary Areas of Interest:
Employment – Special preference for programs providing comprehensive employment preparation, job skills training, career transition programs, and general assistance to women seeking employment.
Education – Special preference for programs emphasizing science, technology, engineering, math, sports and fitness, and preparation for post-secondary education.
Life Skills – Special preference for programs emphasizing financial literacy, mentoring, self-esteem, and leadership.
The foundation considers proposals from both new and traditional organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on an annual cycle. Organizations submit a Letter of Intent, and those whose programs best fit the SkillBuilders Fund funding priorities are invited via email to submit a full application.
Grant Range
** Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000 and may on rare occasion exceed $50,000.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Skillbuilders Fund?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The geographic focus of the SkillBuilders Fund's charitable giving is the Greater Kansas City area, with support for initiatives in Kansas, Missouri, and New York. The foundation supports projects in cities including Kansas City, La Cygne, New York, Overland Park, Prairie Village, and St. Louis.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $3,495,236 (as of most recent IRS Form 990 filing)
- Annual Grants Awarded (2024): $427,000
- Annual Expenses: $508,597
- Annual Revenue: $412,289
- Average Grant Size: $95
- Expense Ratio: 123.4% of total revenue spent on programs
- Asset Growth: 2.6% increase from previous year
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,179,193 | $3,495,236 | $3,799,801 |
| Revenue | $347,836 | $412,289 | $46,059 |
| Expenses | $664,099 | $508,597 | $480,628 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $628,060 | $482,600 | $440,680 |
| Net Investment Income | $319,840 | $386,379 | $65,247 |
| Distributable Amount | $233,927 | $200,915 | $217,784 |
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
79 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Skillbuilders Fund
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Wildwood Outdoor Education Center ($266,474), Amethyst Place ($30,000), Pawsperity ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMETHYST PLACE KANSAS CITY, MO | FINCL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC CHARITY | $30,000 |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS | FINCL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC CHARITY | $10,000 |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY KC KANSAS CITY, MO | FINCL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC CHARITY | $20,000 |
| KC COMMUNITY GARDENS KANSAS CITY, MO | FINCL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC CHARITY | $15,000 |
| WILDWOOD OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER LA CYGNE, KS | FINCL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC CHARITY | $266,474 |
| WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT NETWORK KANSAS CITY, MO | FINCL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC CHARITY | $20,000 |
| KANSAS CITY PREPARATORY ACADEMY KANSAS CITY, MO | FINCL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC CHARITY | $2,000 |
| INTERURBAN ARTHOUSE OVERLAND PARK, KS | FINCL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC CHARITY | $15,000 |
| NORTHEAST COMMUNITY CENTER KANSAS CITY, MO | FINCL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC CHARITY | $10,000 |
| GREAT JOBS KC KANSAS CITY, MO | FINCL SUPPORT OF PUBLIC CHARITY | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Barbara P. Allen – Executive Director (serving since 2011) and President, Secretary, and Director. Barbara works closely with the Board of Directors and the Fund's Executive Assistant to manage all aspects of grant making, including communicating guidelines, attending board and committee meetings, performing site visits, and serving as the Fund's representative to community outreach opportunities.
Jessica Peryam – Vice Chair and Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARBARA P ALLEN | PRES/SEC/DIR | 15 | $30,000 |
| JESSICA PERYAM | VICE CHR/DIR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Phone: 913.544.1170
Address: 4707 College Blvd, Suite 201, Leawood, KS 66211
Website: skillbuildersfund.org
Email: ballen@skillbuildersfund.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Skillbuilders Fund fund?
The SkillBuilders Fund makes grants to enhance the capabilities of women and girls to realize their full potential, with emphasis on programs and services in the Kansas City region. The foundation is especially interested in innovative means to help women gain self-sufficiency, build their capacity to function in society, and become responsible citizens. **Primary Areas of Interest:** • **Employment** – Special preference for programs providing comprehensive employment preparation, job skills t…
How do I apply for a grant from Skillbuilders Fund?
**Grant Range:** Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000 and may on rare occasion exceed $50,000. **Grant Characteristics:** • Multi-year grants are not considered • 18 grants were awarded in 2024 • Open to new applicants **Application Process:** The foundation operates on an annual cycle. Organizations submit a Letter of Intent, and those whose programs best fit the SkillBuilders Fund funding priorities are invited via email to submit a full application. **Ineligible Uses:** The Fund do…
Where does Skillbuilders Fund make grants?
The geographic focus of the SkillBuilders Fund's charitable giving is the Greater Kansas City area, with support for initiatives in Kansas, Missouri, and New York. The foundation supports projects in cities including Kansas City, La Cygne, New York, Overland Park, Prairie Village, and St. Louis.
What size grants does Skillbuilders Fund award?
In 2024, Skillbuilders Fund awarded 21 grants totaling $568K — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Skillbuilders Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Skillbuilders Fund reported a distributable amount of $234K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Skillbuilders Fund's EIN?
Skillbuilders Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-0984713. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Skillbuilders Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Robert J and Gloria Wilson
ELLIS, KS
Assets
$6.6M
Grants
1
Total Given
$204K
North Central Kansas Coordinated Transit Council Inc
MINNEAPOLIS, KS
Assets
$5K
Grants
7
Total Given
$3.6M
New Jersey Area Homesteading
OVERLAND PARK, KS
Assets
$353
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Anderson Family Foundation
WICHITA, KS
Assets
$689K
Grants
4
Total Given
$34K
Virginia H Farah Foundation
WICHITA, KS
Assets
$5K
Grants
3
Total Given
$207K
Atchison United Way Board
ATCHISON, KS
Assets
$696K
Grants
8
Total Given
$102K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Skillbuilders Fund on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Skillbuilders Fund to a real strategy.