The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray
The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Atchison, Kansas. Established in 1993, the foundation is part of the broader Cray-Seaberg Family Foundations, a collection of charitable family foundations and trusts. The foundation's philanthropic work is rooted in the legacy of Cloud L. Cray, who founded MGP Ingredients in 1941, a company that grew to become a multi-faceted leader in specialty ingredients and alcohol products with operations in Atchison, Kansas and Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.9M
-14.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+54.6% YoY
Grant Count
37
+5.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$37K
+46.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray reported a distributable amount of $894K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports not-for-profit organizations in Atchison, Kansas and beyond seeking to deliver programs and services that promote quality of life, human and animal welfare, and a resilient community. The foundation funds programs that continue the legacy of Bud and Sally Cray while engaging family members and the Board of Trustees to make measurable impact through sustainable, fiscally responsible, and transparent initiatives.
The foundation defines itself as an investor interested in creating the highest possible levels of measurable impact for grant dollars awarded. Primary funding areas include:
- Animal Welfare
- Recreation
- Employment
- Education
- Health
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Applications are by invitation only. The application deadline is October 1, 2026, with announcement and distribution by December 31, 2026.
Grant Range
s and Activity:**
Review Cycle
is October 1, 2026, with announcement and distribution by December 31, 2026.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Northeast Kansas, with particular emphasis on Atchison, Kansas and surrounding areas. Grantmaking also extends to Kansas, Missouri, and Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving (2024):
- Total assets: $2,943,021
- Total revenues: $1,102,149
- Total expenses: $1,580,179
- Total giving: $1,362,500
Assets and Giving (2023):
- Total assets: $25,000,000 (reported in one source)
- Distributions: $882,000
- Contributions: $270,000
Investment Income:
- 2024: $160,190
- 2023: $158,753
The foundation maintains a giving rate of approximately 24.5% of assets annually.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,943,021 | $3,435,153 | $3,250,480 |
| Revenue | $1,102,149 | $1,340,382 | $2,426,538 |
| Expenses | $1,580,179 | $1,154,544 | $2,915,704 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,362,500 | $881,500 | $2,659,435 |
| Net Investment Income | $846,000 | $796,856 | $601,808 |
| Distributable Amount | $893,501 | $1,252,090 | $1,283,236 |
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
158 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Case School of Engineering ($400,000), University of Kansas Health Center ($100,000), Valley Hope of Atchison ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ATCHISON AMELIA EARHART FOUNDATION ATCHISON, KS | AMELIA EARHART MUSEUM | $30,000 |
| ATCHISON COMMUNITY ED FOUNDATION ATCHISON, KS | CHOLARSHIPS FOR ATCHISON AT-RISK | $25,000 |
| ATCHISON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ATCHISON, KS | OPERATION OF HISTORICAL MUSUEM | $10,000 |
| ATCHISON FAMILY YMCA ATCHISON, KS | BUILDING CAMPAIGN | $10,000 |
| ATCHISON UNITED WAY BOARD ATCHISON, KS | FUND LOCAL AGENCIES | $30,000 |
| BENEDICTINE SISTERS ATCHISON, KS | CONVENT OPERATIONS | $7,500 |
| CASE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CLEVELAND, OH | OPERATION OF SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING | $2,500 |
| CRU CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST ORLANDO, FL | PROVIDES MINISTRY & FINANCIAL ASST | $10,000 |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ATCHISON, KS | MAINTENANCE & OPERATION OF CHURCH | $65,000 |
| MAUR HILL-MOUNT ACADEMY ATCHISON, KS | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ATCHISON COMMUNITY | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
- Karen L Seaberg (Trustee)
- Cathy Scroggs (Trustee)
- Susan Robbins (Trustee)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN L SEABERG | Trustee | 1 | — |
| CATHY SCROGGS | Trustee | 1 | — |
| SUSAN ROBBINS | Trustee | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 20045 266th Rd Atchison, KS 66002
Telephone: 913-367-2707
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray fund?
The foundation supports not-for-profit organizations in Atchison, Kansas and beyond seeking to deliver programs and services that promote quality of life, human and animal welfare, and a resilient community. The foundation funds programs that continue the legacy of Bud and Sally Cray while engaging family members and the Board of Trustees to make measurable impact through sustainable, fiscally responsible, and transparent initiatives. The foundation defines itself as an investor interested in c…
How do I apply for a grant from The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray?
**Grant Sizes and Activity:** • Median grant: $10,000–$13,000 • Grant range: $2,000–$100,000 • Annual giving: Approximately $841,500–$882,000 • Number of grants: 22–35 grants annually **Recent Grants (2024):** • KU Endowment: $100,000 • Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary: $50,000 • Mission Creek Camp and Retreat Center: $50,000 **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Applications are by invitation only. The application deadline is October 1, 2026, with anno…
Where does The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Northeast Kansas, with particular emphasis on Atchison, Kansas and surrounding areas. Grantmaking also extends to Kansas, Missouri, and Ohio.
What size grants does The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray award?
In 2024, The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray awarded 37 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $37K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray reported a distributable amount of $894K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray's EIN?
The Cloud L Cray and Sara J Cray's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-1140738. 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.
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