The Francis Family Foundation
The Francis Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Kansas City, Missouri. Formed in 1989 through the merger of two foundations established by the Parker B. Francis family, it supports the Parker B. Francis Fellowship Program in pulmonary research and arts and culture initiatives in the greater Kansas City area.
The Francis Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Francis Family Foundation gave $4.8M across 174 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), top state Missouri. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,781,502
- +10.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 174
- +11.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,480
- -1.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,750
- Total assets
- $93,133,097
- -1.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (41 of 174, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (39% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Francis Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Fellowship applications are submitted online with the required research, candidate, project, and institutional materials. The foundation’s filing says to inquire about deadlines; its application page lists October 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST as the deadline for that cycle. Small Arts Grants eligibility and application information is provided through the foundation’s grants program.
- Contact
Application contact: Ashley Ernst Grants Administrator
Mailing address: Tulane University School Of, Medicine 1430 Tulane Ave 5063, New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 988-5159
Email: pbf@francisfoundation.org
Website: https://francisfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Francis Family Foundation
Who The Francis Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was KCPBS - Public Television 19 Inc ($300K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($75,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
966 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 822 grants of 966 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its pulmonary research support extends across North America, while its Small Arts Grants Program serves the greater Kansas City area. In 2024, Missouri recipients received 39% of grant dollars, followed by recipients in Washington, D.C. (11%), California (8%), Kansas (7%), and Pennsylvania (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 174 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Francis Family Foundation open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 41 of 174 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $27K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 63% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 88% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.3M (2023) to $5.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 174 grants totaling $4.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| KCPBS - Public Television 19 Inc Kansas City, MO | General Operating Support | $300,000 |
| United Palestinian Appeal Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Unrwa USA Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Stanford University Los Angeles, CA | Fellowship | $207,500 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN | Fellowship | $170,000 |
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | Fellowship | $150,000 |
| Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Kansas City, MO | General Operating Support | $141,500 |
| University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, PA | Fellowship | $112,500 |
| Friends of the Zoo Kansas City, MO | General Operating Support | $105,000 |
| Reconciliation Services Kansas City, MO | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $93,133,097 | $4,477,168 | $6,122,620 | $4,781,502 | 174 | $5,497,989 | $4,608,517 | $6,276,615 |
| 2023 | $94,751,446 | $6,508,767 | $5,603,106 | $4,343,998 | 156 | $5,069,260 | $6,046,408 | $5,781,315 |
| 2022 | $93,911,988 | $5,043,028 | $6,916,475 | $5,830,004 | 220 | $6,499,538 | $4,624,492 | $5,944,882 |
| 2021 | $95,853,843 | $9,210,066 | $5,930,514 | $4,929,623 | 216 | $5,626,355 | $8,900,910 | $5,986,126 |
| 2020 | $92,451,967 | $6,469,177 | $6,338,392 | $5,230,728 | 200 | — | $6,240,825 | $5,293,853 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Francis Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to continue the legacy of Parker B. Francis and his son John B. Francis by funding a national postdoctoral fellowship program in pulmonary research, while supporting lifelong learning and arts and culture in greater Kansas City. It reports that the fellowship program has invested more than $81 million in support of over 973 MD and PhD scientists.
The Parker B. Francis Fellowship supports clinical, laboratory, and translational research related to pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at U.S. or Canadian universities or research institutions. The Small Arts Grants Program supports arts and culture organizations in the greater Kansas City area, with an aim of developing the region as a creative hub and expanding access to creative participation.
The foundation’s 2024 grants included support for public media, arts organizations, research institutions, and community organizations. For example, Reconciliation Services describes its mission as addressing poverty and trauma in Kansas City by promoting personal well-being, building healthy communities, and helping people advocate for themselves and others. Friends of the Zoo describes its work as supporting the operation of Dickerson Park Zoo, including animal care, exhibits, and educational experiences.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 174 grants totaling $4,781,502. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $300,000, with a median grant of $7,750. Notable awards included $300,000 to KCPBS – Public Television 19 for general operating support; $250,000 each to United Palestinian Appeal and UNRWA USA for general operating support; $207,500 to Stanford University for a fellowship; and $170,000 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for a fellowship. Other grants included $141,500 to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and $105,000 to Friends of the Zoo, both for general operating support.
The Parker B. Francis Fellowship offers up to $225,000 over three years. Applicants must meet the program’s degree, career-stage, citizenship or residency, and institutional requirements. Fellowship applications are submitted through an online link and include information about the research unit, the candidate’s training and qualifications, the proposed project, and endorsements from the department head and an authorized institutional official. Institutions must be in the United States or Canada; a department may submit no more than two applications annually.
For the Small Arts Grants Program, an organization must be located within a 60-mile radius of greater Kansas City and be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity. The program states that organizations with three consecutive grants as of 2024 may apply in 2025.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists David V. Francis as board chair and J. Scott Francis as vice chair, with Ann F. Barhoum as a board member. James Bernard Jr. is listed as assistant secretary (non-voting), and J. Michael Sigler as treasurer (non-voting). The foundation’s website says that, following its 2022 transition from a community board to a family board, Ann F. Barhoum, David V. Francis, and J. Scott Francis serve as its directors.
The Francis Family Foundation is led by David V. Francis, Board Member & Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David V. Francis
Board Member & Chair
Board Member → Board Member & Vice Chair, 2023
Board Member & Vice Chair → Board Member & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann F. Barhoum
Board Member
Board Member & Vice Chair → Board Member & Chair, 2023
Board Member & Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J. Michael Sigler
Treasurer
Board Member → Board Member & Treasurer, 2021
Board Member & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J. Scott Francis
Board Member & Vice Chair
Board Member & Chair → Board Member, 2023
Board Member → Board Member & Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Bernard Jr.
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Susan Stanton (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Debbie Ballard (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Angela Cervantes (2022) — Committee Member
- Former: Dawn Taylor (2022) — Committee Member
- Former: Denesha Snell (2022) — Committee Member
- Former: Joette Pelster (2022) — Committee Member
- Former: Juan Rangel (2022) — Committee Member
- Former: Kar Woo (2022) — Committee Member
- Former: David Oliver (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jeanpaul Wong (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Lou Jaramillo (2020–2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Francis Family Foundation
How much does The Francis Family Foundation give each year?
The Francis Family Foundation gave $4.8M across 174 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.3M across 156 grants.
What is The Francis Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Francis Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $7,750, and its average grant was $27,480, across 174 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Francis Family Foundation that year got $29K on average.
Where does The Francis Family Foundation give grants?
The Francis Family Foundation's top state is Missouri, with 39% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (11%) and California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (88 grants), Santa Barbara, CA (6 grants), Overland Park, KS (6 grants) and Washington, DC (5 grants).
Does The Francis Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 84% of The Francis Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (147 of 174) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Fellowship" (27 grants).
Who are The Francis Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Francis Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include KCPBS - Public Television 19 Inc ($300,000), United Palestinian Appeal ($250,000) and Unrwa USA ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($75,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Francis Family Foundation?
The Francis Family Foundation reported $93.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Francis Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to continue the legacy of Parker B. Francis and his son John B. Francis by funding a national postdoctoral fellowship program in pulmonary research, while supporting lifelong learning and arts and culture in greater Kansas City. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Francis Family Foundation?
Fellowship applications are submitted online with the required research, candidate, project, and institutional materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Francis Family Foundation's EIN?
The Francis Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1492132. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Francis Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Francis Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-francis-family-foundation-morg_48377869a52842729d034645e056846a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_431492132_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Francis Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-francis-family-foundation-morg_48377869a52842729d034645e056846a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Francis 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.
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