Sunflower Foundation Health Care for Kansans is a statewide health philanthropy based in Topeka, Kansas. Established in 2000, the foundation was created through a $75 million settlement between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, the Kansas Attorney General, and the Kansas Insurance Commissioner. This agreement resolved disputes regarding Blue Cross's company charitable assets from 1941 to 1969. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity and is recognized as a forward-thinking, innovative funder that supports collaboration and the marshaling of resources to areas of greatest need.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$173.7M
+23.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.4M
+44.7% YoY
Grant Count
99
+371.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
-69.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To serve as a catalyst for improving the health of all Kansans, particularly those who are unserved or underserved.
The foundation invests in three synergistic areas:
Healthy Communities Enhancing the built environment and expanding access to healthy food through systems, structures, and surroundings that make healthy living achievable and affordable for all.
Health Systems Supporting systemic change, strengthening organizational capacity, and investing in innovative strategies to ensure that more Kansans receive the right care, in the right place, and at the right time.
Nonprofit Center Operating a 13.5-acre nonprofit center opened in 2021, offering state-of-the-art meeting and conference space, leadership development, and learning opportunities for nonprofit organizations aligned with the foundation's mission.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides grants through multiple programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds primarily in Kansas, with some activity in Missouri and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $173,735,797
- Total revenues: $9,345,989
- Total expenses: $8,550,198
- Total giving: $3,460,779
- Number of employees: 15
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $141,000,000
- Total revenues: $8,230,000
- Total expenses: $6,310,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $173,735,797 | $141,112,600 | $101,218,805 |
| Revenue | $9,345,989 | $8,225,082 | $8,602,043 |
| Expenses | $8,550,198 | $6,313,626 | $5,477,746 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $7,198,631 | $3,746,324 | $8,569,640 |
| 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
192 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition Inc ($25,000), Neighbor to Neighbor Abilene ($25,000), Graham County Little Roosters Daycare Foundation ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Great Plains of Smith Co Inc DBA Smith County Memorial Hospital Smith Center, KS | Health Systems | $12,000 |
| Ellsworth County Medical Center Ellsworth, KS | Health Systems | $12,000 |
| BikeWalkWichita Wichita, KS | Healthy Communities | $15,000 |
| Pharmacy of Grace Kansas City, KS | Capacity Building | $15,000 |
| Braided Haven Inc Topeka, KS | Capacity Building | $20,000 |
| Kansas Public Health Association Leawood, KS | Capacity Building | $7,500 |
| Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition Inc Manhattan, KS | Capacity Building | $25,000 |
| Neighbor to Neighbor Abilene Abilene, KS | Capacity Building | $25,000 |
| Graham County Little Roosters Daycare Foundation Hill City, KS | Capacity Building | $25,000 |
| East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation Ottawa, KS | Capacity Building | $10,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Brandon Skidmore became CEO in April 2024, succeeding long-time CEO Billie Hall who retired.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEN SCHEARS | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| LIZ SOSA | BOARD CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MIKE MATSON | TRUSTEE/SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ANDY CORBIN | TRUSTEE - TERM ENDED 6/12/2024 | 0.9 | — |
| ANGIE STRECKER | TRUSTEE | 0.1 | — |
| CARRIE LUTZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JAY KENNEDY | TRUSTEE - TERM ENDED 6/12/2024 | 0.9 | — |
| JIM MARTIN | TRUSTEE | 0.1 | — |
| SHAWN NACCARATO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TERESA LOVELADY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TIM WERTH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BILLIE G HALL | CEO RETIRED 4/12/2024 | 40 | $319,014 |
| BRANDON SKIDMORE | CEO - EFFECTIVE 4/15/2024 | 40 | $122,334 |
| SHANNA ZIMMER | CFO | 40 | $127,713 |
| ELIZABETH BURGER | SVP HEALTHY COMMUNITIES | 40 | $116,797 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation is in a significant transition and expansion phase. In April 2024, it took on a powerful new administrative role managing the Kansas Fights Addiction Fund on behalf of the Kansas Attorney General, significantly increasing its influence on state health policy while continuing to accept applications for community and health-centric programs.
Fourth round of funding available through Kansas Fights Addiction grant programThe foundation continues to post requests for proposals on its website and hosts the Sunflower Nonprofit Center, which held 168 events by nonprofits and other organizations during fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025).
Foundation releases Sunflower Trails: Paving the Way RFP - Sunflower FoundationThe foundation is offering The Dynamics of Donor Development, a free virtual learning series for Kansas nonprofits interested in cultivating donor support.
Foundation provides nearly $1.5 million in capacity building grants to nonprofitsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sunflower Foundation Health Care for Kansans fund?
**Mission:** To serve as a catalyst for improving the health of all Kansans, particularly those who are unserved or underserved. The foundation invests in three synergistic areas: **Healthy Communities** Enhancing the built environment and expanding access to healthy food through systems, structures, and surroundings that make healthy living achievable and affordable for all. **Health Systems** Supporting systemic change, strengthening organizational capacity, and investing in innovative strate…
How do I apply for a grant from Sunflower Foundation Health Care for Kansans?
The foundation provides grants through multiple programs: **Bridge Grants** Up to $200,000 available to provide core transitional financial support for new or expanded medical, mental, dental, and/or public health practitioners. Targeted applicants include "safety net" clinics and community health centers/clinics providing primary care and primary prevention services to the uninsured or underinsured. Eligible applicants are required to provide dollar-for-dollar matching funds. **Capacity Buildi…
Where does Sunflower Foundation Health Care for Kansans make grants?
The foundation funds primarily in Kansas, with some activity in Missouri and Colorado.
What size grants does Sunflower Foundation Health Care for Kansans award?
In 2024, Sunflower Foundation Health Care for Kansans awarded 99 grants totaling $3.4M — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Sunflower Foundation Health Care for Kansans's EIN?
Sunflower Foundation Health Care for Kansans's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-1241590. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sunflower Foundation Health Care for Kansans's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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