The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc
Support efforts to educate policy makers and the public about ways to promote economic freedom and opportunity for all kansans.
The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc at a glance
In short: The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc gave $110K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $37K), mostly in Kansas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $109,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- Average grant
- $36,500
- Median grant
- $27,500
- Total assets
- $15,659
- +115.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Kansas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Wichita Community Alliance ($55K). Together the top 2 received $110K.
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 3 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $110K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita Community Alliance Wichita, KS | Assist with Community Engagement Activities | $55,000 |
| Kansans for an Affordable Future Topeka, KS | Donation for Research | $27,500 |
| Kansans for an Affordable Future Topeka, KS | Rsearch for Community Power Mapping | $27,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $15,659 | $141,500 | $133,106 | $109,500 | 3 |
| 2024 | $7,265 | $1,380,000 | $1,375,169 | — | — |
| 2023 | $2,434 | $272,500 | $293,878 | — | — |
| 2022 | $23,812 | $2,126,200 | $2,110,673 | — | — |
| 2021 | $8,285 | $180,437 | $206,078 | — | — |
| 2020 | $33,926 | $439,000 | $419,168 | — | — |
About The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc
Based on IRS filings
The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Topeka, KS. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $16K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $110K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc is led by Howard Bauleke, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Howard Bauleke
Chair
President → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emil Ramirez
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Kane
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kesar Sharma Crawford
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marti Crow
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vicki Buening
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Paul Davis (2022) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc
How much does The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc give each year?
The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc gave $110K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc's typical grant size?
The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc's median grant in 2025 was $27,500, and its average grant was $36,500, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc give grants?
The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc gives mostly in Kansas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Topeka, KS (2 grants).
Does The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc?
The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc reported $16K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $142K.
What is The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc?
The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Topeka, KS. It holds $16K in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc's EIN?
The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1156636. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
Live grants for the work The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bluestem Foundation for Economic Freedom Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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