The Kansas City Royals Foundation
The Kansas City Royals Foundation is a public charity based in Kansas City, Missouri. It uses the power of sport to improve the lives of Kansas Citians, supporting literacy and education, healthy and active communities, and military and veteran support.
The Kansas City Royals Foundation at a glance
In short: The Kansas City Royals Foundation gave $2.4M across 83 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), mostly in Missouri. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,374,355
- +15.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 83
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $28,607
- +15.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $779,650
- +162.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (37 of 79, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (82% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Kansas City Royals Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts applications through its grants program. The 2026 general grants cycle is closed. For Royalty Fields, the 2026 application period runs from September 14 through October 12; applicants must submit the program application and required documentation, including field photographs, a board or council member list, an IRS determination letter if applicable, and documentation of secured project funding.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 general grants application deadline was September 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CDT. The 2026 Royalty Fields application period closes October 12, 2026.
- Deadline
- The 2026 general grants application deadline was September 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Next open deadline
- October 12, 2026 (Royalty Fields Grant Program)
- Contact
Mailing address: One Royal Way, Kansas City, MO 64129
Phone: (816) 921-8000
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 Kansas City Royals Foundation
Royalty Fields Grant Program
The Kansas City Royals Foundation
Amount
Average matching grant $5,000–$15,000
Deadline
Expected ~October
Based on past cycles
The Kansas City Royals Foundation Grants Program
The Kansas City Royals Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Kansas City Royals Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Negro Leagues Baseball Museum ($242K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
266 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 218 grants of 266 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The regular grants program serves the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, defined by the Foundation as Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties in Missouri. In 2024, 82% of grant dollars went to Missouri recipients and 13% to Kansas recipients; the remaining amounts went to Maryland (2%), Nebraska (2%), and Iowa (1%). The Royalty Fields program has a broader stated service area covering Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 83 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Kansas City Royals Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 37 of 79 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $40K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $925K (2022) to $2.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 83 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Kansas City, MO | Programs | $242,225 |
| Schoolsmart KC Kansas City, MO | Programs | $167,813 |
| Kansas City Public Schools Kansas City, MO | Programs | $116,000 |
| KCPS Education Foundation Kansas City, MO | Programs | $110,050 |
| Mo Charter Public School Assoc Kansas City, MO | Programs | $110,000 |
| City Year Kansas City, MO | Programs | $100,000 |
| Downtown KC Civic Ventures Kansas City, MO | Programs | $100,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City Kansas City, MO | Programs | $50,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of GKC Kansas City, MO | Programs | $50,000 |
| Lead to Read KC Kansas City, MO | Programs | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $779,650 | $4,985,158 | $4,623,611 | $2,374,355 | 83 | $14,578 |
| 2023 | $297,622 | $3,357,354 | $3,529,437 | $2,056,269 | 83 | — |
| 2022 | $1,290,695 | $4,074,358 | $4,053,165 | $924,765 | 36 | — |
| 2021 | $948,636 | $2,777,032 | $2,835,308 | $1,230,040 | 39 | — |
| 2020 | $512,225 | $1,623,209 | $1,416,420 | $1,067,494 | 25 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to use the power of sport to improve the lives of Kansas Citians by supporting literacy and education, promoting healthy and active communities, uplifting military and veterans, and more.
Its grant priorities include literacy and education, youth physical activity, and support for veterans and military families. The Foundation also operates the Royalty Fields program, which offers matching grants for baseball and softball facility improvements. Among its 2024 grantees, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum described its mission as preserving African American baseball history; Lead to Read described its work as supporting students’ social, emotional, and reading skills; and Turn the Page KC described its mission as mobilizing the community to help children gain literacy skills.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 83 grants totaling $2,374,355. Grants ranged from $5,145 to $242,225, with a median of $15,000. The largest awards included $242,225 to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, $167,813 to SchoolSmart KC, $116,000 to Kansas City Public Schools, $110,050 to KCPS Education Foundation, and $110,000 to the Missouri Charter Public School Association. The filing listed each of these grants’ purposes as programs.
Other 2024 awards included $100,000 each to City Year and Downtown KC Civic Ventures, and $50,000 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City, Boys & Girls Club of GKC, Lead to Read KC, Turn the Page KC, and United Way of Greater Kansas City. The grantee descriptions show support for organizations working in areas including education, literacy, youth development, community services, and baseball history.
The Foundation’s regular grants program prioritizes organizations and projects aligned with its strategic pillars. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations operating in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, defined as Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties in Missouri. Preference is given to organizations with operating budgets of no more than $5 million, though larger budgets are not excluded. Required materials include a current organizational budget, recent financial statements (preferably audited), and a list of the board of directors with professional affiliations. The Foundation may request a follow-up call and may conduct a site visit after an award. It does not fund individuals, event sponsorships, endowments, or lobbying and other attempts to influence legislation.
For awarded general grants, the Foundation requires a one-page final report within one year of the award date and asks for project photographs if applicable. Organizations that do not submit the report or complete the project within one year are ineligible for additional awards until they meet the reporting requirements.
The Royalty Fields program is a separate matching-grant opportunity for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and local government entities operating youth baseball or softball programs in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, or Arkansas. Applicants must document funding secured for the project; the Foundation says the average matching grant is $5,000 to $15,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Karen Daniel as president, Whitney Beaver as treasurer, Sarah Tourville as secretary, and John Sherman and Michael Trigg as board members.
The Kansas City Royals Foundation is led by Karen Daniel, President since 2023 (on filings since 2021); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Karen Daniel
President
Board Member → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Sherman
Board Member
President → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Trigg
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Whitney Beaver
Treasurer
Treasurer-Started → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Tourville
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: David W. Laverentz (2020–2021) — Secretary, Treasurer & Director - Termed
- Former: Ben Aken (2020) — Director -
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 Kansas City Royals Foundation
How much does The Kansas City Royals Foundation give each year?
The Kansas City Royals Foundation gave $2.4M across 83 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.1M across 83 grants.
What is The Kansas City Royals Foundation's typical grant size?
The Kansas City Royals Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $28,607, across 83 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Kansas City Royals Foundation that year got $18K on average.
Where does The Kansas City Royals Foundation give grants?
The Kansas City Royals Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kansas (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (47 grants), Kansas City, KS (5 grants), Olathe, KS (3 grants) and Overland Park, KS (3 grants).
Does The Kansas City Royals Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 83 grants with a stated purpose on The Kansas City Royals Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Programs" (83 grants).
Who are The Kansas City Royals Foundation's largest grantees?
The Kansas City Royals Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Negro Leagues Baseball Museum ($242,225), Schoolsmart KC ($167,813) and Kansas City Public Schools ($116,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Kansas City Royals Foundation?
The Kansas City Royals Foundation reported $780K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.0M.
What does The Kansas City Royals Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to use the power of sport to improve the lives of Kansas Citians by supporting literacy and education, promoting healthy and active communities, uplifting military and veterans, and more. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Kansas City Royals Foundation?
The Foundation accepts applications through its grants program. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Kansas City Royals Foundation's EIN?
The Kansas City Royals Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-1286323. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kansas City Royals Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Kansas City Royals Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-kansas-city-royals-foundation-morg_029644f9521a4ddea109d89a8a94ed5b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_451286323_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Kansas City Royals Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-kansas-city-royals-foundation-morg_029644f9521a4ddea109d89a8a94ed5b},
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 Kansas City Royals 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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