The Curry Family Foundation
The Curry Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Prairie Village, Kansas. Its stated priorities include education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services, with grantmaking primarily serving Missouri and Kansas.
The Curry Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Curry Family Foundation gave $410K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in Missouri. 11% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $410,000
- +31.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- -9.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,579
- +45.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $13,647,292
- +11.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (2 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (93% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Curry Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its filing says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 7301 Mission Road 309, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Phone: (816) 931-2528
Website: https://www.curryfoundationkc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Curry Family Foundation
Who The Curry Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Gordon Parks Elementary School ($45K). Together the top 10 received $260K.
Grant Size Distribution
115 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 114 grants of 115 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing says its grantmaking primarily serves Missouri and Kansas. In 2025, recipients in Missouri received 93% of grant dollars and recipients in Kansas received 7%. The grant-program description limits eligibility to organizations serving the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Curry Family Foundation open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 19 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 63% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+1%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $312K (2024) to $450K (2020). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $410K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gordon Parks Elementary School Kansas City, MO | Responsive classroom and supportive services for low-income urban elementary children in Kansas city, Missouri | $45,000 |
| Kansas City Community Gardens Kansas City, MO | Individual & Faimly Gardens | $25,000 |
| Kansas City Symphony Kansas City, MO | Kansas City Symphony 2023/24 Season | $25,000 |
| Lead to Read KC Kansas City, MO | Reading and Mentoring | $25,000 |
| Operation Breakthrough Kansas City, MO | Ignition Lab/Entrepreneurship | $25,000 |
| The Rabbit Hole North Kansas City, MO | On-ramp to opening: general operating support for the rabbit hole | $25,000 |
| Welcome House Kansas City, MO | Support for men recovering from alcohol and drug abuse | $25,000 |
| Youth Ambassadors Inc Kansas City, MO | Social Change Project | $25,000 |
| Asteam Village Inc Kansas City, MO | Summer STEAM Experience for Kids Summer Camp | $20,000 |
| Child Protection Center Kansas City, MO | Child Protective Programs | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Curry Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,647,292 | $2,325,225 | $737,789 | $410,000 | 19 | $650,262 | $2,251,059 | $649,729 |
| 2024 | $12,201,557 | $688,843 | $651,748 | $311,800 | 21 | $565,730 | $493,461 | $624,365 |
| 2023 | $12,102,607 | $720,185 | $720,311 | $397,500 | 24 | $636,308 | $544,284 | $590,534 |
| 2022 | $12,102,007 | $737,709 | $662,082 | $407,000 | 23 | $584,632 | $671,635 | $621,494 |
| 2021 | $12,026,792 | $886,458 | $673,962 | $412,500 | 28 | $592,540 | $819,136 | $656,520 |
| 2020 | $11,814,552 | $878,446 | $700,704 | $450,000 | 28 | — | $819,964 | $597,605 |
| 2019 | $11,635,535 | $622,804 | $634,742 | $421,000 | 34 | — | $576,663 | $597,457 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Curry Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $650K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The grant-program description identifies support for local nonprofit organizations serving endangered children and disadvantaged people, as well as cultural enrichment and educational opportunities. The foundation’s filing lists education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services as grantmaking priorities.
Its 2025 recipients include organizations focused on education, literacy, arts, community gardening, recovery, youth development, and child protection. For example, Gordon Parks Elementary School describes its mission as providing strong foundations for students’ futures. Lead to Read says it supports students’ social, emotional, and reading skills by advancing literacy and mobilizing volunteers. Welcome House describes its work as educating and rehabilitating adult men recovering from alcohol or drug abuse.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 19 grants totaling $410,000. The grants ranged from $10,000 to $45,000, with a median of $20,000.
The largest reported award was $45,000 to Gordon Parks Elementary School for responsive classroom and supportive services for low-income urban elementary children in Kansas City, Missouri. Other notable 2025 grants included $25,000 each to Kansas City Community Gardens for individual and family gardens, Kansas City Symphony for its 2023/24 season, Lead to Read KC for reading and mentoring, Operation Breakthrough for its Ignition Lab and entrepreneurship work, The Rabbit Hole for general operating support, Welcome House for support for men recovering from alcohol and drug abuse, and Youth Ambassadors for a social change project.
The grant-program description lists awards of up to $25,000 for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations serving the Kansas City metropolitan area. It describes support for program development, operating expenses, equipment and building renovations, and matching funds; capital campaigns are ineligible. Organizations that have received a grant must wait a full year before reapplying. The program listing is marked active, but the foundation’s 2025 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lee Ellen Curry as chairman, president, and treasurer; Steve O’Neill as vice president and secretary; and Dorothy Curry, Karen O’Neill, Douglas Curry, Chester Thompson, Patrick O’Neill, Pam Curry, and Nicholoas Curry as directors.
The Curry Family Foundation is led by Lee Ellen Curry, Chairman, President & Treasurer since 2025 (on filings since 2019); 2 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lee Ellen Curry
Chairman, President & Treasurer
President → President & Treasurer, 2022
President & Treasurer → Chairman, President & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$60K (2019) → $60K (2025)
Dorothy F. Curry
Director
Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Curry
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chester Thompson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen O'Neill
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholoas Curry
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pam Curry
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick O'Neill
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve O'Neill
Vice President & Secretary
Vice President & Director → Vice President & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$60K (2019) → $60K (2025)
Former officers (7)
- Former: William H. Curry (2019–2024) — Chairman of the Board
- Former: Asabe O'Neill (2023) — Director
- Former: Courtney Bacon (2023) — Director
- Former: Emily O'Neill (2023) — Director
- Former: Hudson O'Neill (2023) — Director
- Former: Tj Curry (2023) — Director
- Former: John Crowe (2019–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $60K, to Lee Ellen Curry (Chairman/President/Treasurer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Curry Family Foundation
How much does The Curry Family Foundation give each year?
The Curry Family Foundation gave $410K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $312K across 21 grants.
What is The Curry Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Curry Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $21,579, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Curry Family Foundation that year got $18K on average.
Where does The Curry Family Foundation give grants?
The Curry Family Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kansas (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (16 grants).
Does The Curry Family Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of The Curry Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Curry Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Curry Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Gordon Parks Elementary School ($45,000), Kansas City Community Gardens ($25,000) and Kansas City Symphony ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Curry Family Foundation?
The Curry Family Foundation reported $13.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $650K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $650K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Curry Family Foundation fund?
The grant-program description identifies support for local nonprofit organizations serving endangered children and disadvantaged people, as well as cultural enrichment and educational opportunities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Curry Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Curry Family Foundation's EIN?
The Curry Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1428340. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Curry Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(9)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 5, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 31, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 29, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Other open foundation grants in Kansas
Kansas Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Curry Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The foundation funds college access and completion, workforce and career development, entrepreneurship, and related efforts to improve economic mobility, with a primary focus on Kansas City and support for regional and national work. Its 2024 grants had a median of $75,000; it accepts requests through its online portal and says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$2.5B
Grants
364
Total Given
$95.0M
Oppenstein Brothers Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The Oppenstein Brothers Foundation supports religious, charitable, scientific, and educational work, with recent grants covering food access, health care, youth services, housing, and mental health. Its 2026 grants ranged from $3,000 to $100,000, with a median of $15,000, and went to organizations in Missouri and Kansas, mainly around Kansas City. The profile says to contact the program officer; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$35.1M
Grants
125
Total Given
$1.9M
Health Forward Foundation
Kansas City, MO
Health Forward Foundation funds health equity and community-led work in health care, housing, digital access, civic engagement, and racial and economic inclusion in the Kansas City region. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $800,000, with a median of $100,000; it offers open application opportunities, while some funding is invitation-based, and welcomes conversations about aligned ideas for possible responsive funding.
Assets
$944.7M
Grants
169
Total Given
$26.4M
The Francis Family Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The Francis Family Foundation funds pulmonary, critical care, and sleep-medicine research fellowships at institutions in the U.S. and Canada, as well as arts and culture organizations in the greater Kansas City area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $300,000, with a median of $7,750; fellowships can provide up to $225,000 over three years.
Assets
$93.1M
Grants
174
Total Given
$4.8M
William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee
Kansas City, MO
The William T. Kemper Foundation supports education, health and human services, civic improvements, and the arts, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Missouri and Kansas. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $1.5 million, with a median of about $38,000. Its 2023 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$288.5M
Grants
142
Total Given
$15.5M
R a Long Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The R A Long Foundation supports educational, community, cultural, and human-services organizations, primarily in Missouri and Kansas, with a small share of its giving in Oklahoma. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,500 to $35,000, with a median of $4,000. It accepts written applications under its guidelines, due March 15 or September 15.
Assets
$7.2M
Grants
104
Total Given
$467K
More similar funders
More Funders in Kansas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Curry Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-curry-family-foundation-morg_06ecd7f8c0b4471abe2adea9c1e626d8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_431428340_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Curry Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-curry-family-foundation-morg_06ecd7f8c0b4471abe2adea9c1e626d8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Curry Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Curry Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?