The Research Foundation
The Research Foundation is a public charity based in Kansas City, Missouri. It invests in health-centered programs and partnerships benefiting health care students and professionals, patients, and people in the Kansas City community.
The Research Foundation at a glance
In short: The Research Foundation gave $1.2M across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $34K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,227,746
- +12.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- +5.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $34,104
- +6.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $112,398,559
- +11.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Missouri (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Research Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation’s community-grant application is submitted online. It offered in-person and virtual informational meetings for the 2026 cycle.
- Review Cycle
- July 31, 2026, for the 2026 community-grant cycle.
- Deadline
- July 31, 2026, for the 2026 community-grant cycle.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2316 E Meyer Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64132
Phone: (816) 276-4218
Website: https://theresearchfoundationkc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Research Foundation
Hal M. Quinn Excellence in Nursing Award
The Research Foundation
Amount
$1,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Kathy DeGrande Award for Excellence
The Research Foundation
Amount
$1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
The Research Foundation: Community Grants
The Research Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Research Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Operation Breakthrough Inc ($85K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $535K.
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 57 grants of 80 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation focuses community-grant funding on organizations primarily serving Jackson County, Missouri residents, with priority given to urban Kansas City. Its eligibility information specifies that more than 50% of those served must be Jackson County residents. In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri and 6% to recipients in Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Research Foundation gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 $60K (2020) to $1.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ability KC Kansas City, MO | Expanding Access to Care - Medical Care | $50,000 |
| Care Beyond the Boulevard Kansas City, KS | Expanding Access to Care - Medical Care | $50,000 |
| Child Protection Center Inc Kansas City, MO | Expanding Access to Care - Behavioral Health | $50,000 |
| Hope Family Care Center Kansas City, MO | Expanding Access to Care - Medical Care | $50,000 |
| Jewish Vocational Service Bureau of Kansas City Kansas City, MO | Healthcare Navigation for Refugees & Immigrants | $50,000 |
| Kansas City Care Clinic DBA KC Care Health Center Kansas City, MO | Expanding Access to Care - Medical Care | $50,000 |
| Metro Lutheran Ministry Kansas City, MO | Healthcare navigation & emergency assistance for those experiencing poverty | $50,000 |
| Mother's Refuge Independence, MO | Improving health outcomes for pregnant or young mothers & babies | $50,000 |
| Newhouse Kansas City, MO | Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence | $50,000 |
| Prep-KC Kansas City, MO | Engaging Students in Healthcare Career Pathways | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Research Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Amounts below are reported by filing year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $112,398,559 | $7,602,573 | $3,163,127 | $1,227,746 | 36 | $6,053,426 |
| 2023 | $101,080,445 | $3,712,503 | $2,814,352 | $1,089,000 | 34 | $2,460,307 |
| 2022 | $98,931,038 | $3,259,284 | $1,793,154 | $64,992 | 4 | $2,287,822 |
| 2021 | $113,361,941 | $6,987,578 | $1,592,182 | $81,755 | 4 | $5,827,311 |
| 2020 | $100,969,564 | $2,616,991 | $1,570,417 | $60,000 | 2 | $1,479,226 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to invest in health-centered programs and partnerships that benefit health care students and professionals, patients, and people in the Kansas City community. Its work includes nursing and allied health education, professional development, patient support, youth injury prevention, and community grants.
Community grants support programs aligned with expanding access to care and promoting health equity. The Foundation’s 2024 filing also describes grants supporting student engagement in health care careers. Examples of grantees’ work include Newhouse’s services for survivors of domestic violence; Care Beyond the Boulevard’s medical care, case management, and respite services for homeless, uninsured, and vulnerable people; and Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center’s provision of affordable health care. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
The 2024 filing data report 36 grants totaling $1,227,746. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $50,000, with a median of $35,000. The largest reported awards were $50,000 each. Examples include Ability KC and Kansas City Care Clinic for expanding access to medical care; Child Protection Center and Rose Brooks Center for behavioral health access; Jewish Vocational Service Bureau of Kansas City for health care navigation for refugees and immigrants; and Newhouse for shelter for victims of domestic violence. Care Beyond the Boulevard also received $50,000.
The Foundation’s community grants program considers support for programs delivered by eligible applicants that align with its priorities. Applicants must be tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3); organizations with 509(a)(3) status or pending 501(c)(3) status are ineligible. Organizations with net assets greater than $150 million are also ineligible. Program applicants may request 10% in indirect costs. Health-centric nonprofits may apply for general operating support if more than half of their program offerings align with the Foundation’s priorities.
For the 2026 cycle, the Foundation announced awards of $25,000 to $50,000 for use during a one-year cycle. Applications opened June 4, 2026, and the application page states that the cycle closed July 31, 2026. Applicants were to be notified of decisions by December 11, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joel P. McKinsey, MD, as chair; Brenda J. Lofton, MD, as vice chair; Megan L. Garcia, MD, as secretary; and Todd H. Bartels as treasurer. Directors listed include John Paul Armilio, MD; Valerie E. Chow, MD; Michael J. Connor, MD; Francis Dailey, MD; Jason W. Eppler, MD; and R. Joseph Groebl.
The Research Foundation is led by Cynthia A. Randazzo, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 27 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cynthia A. Randazzo
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$256K (2020) → $273K (2024)
Joel P. McKinsey MD
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rose M. Simone
Director of Development
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$116K (2020) → $120K (2024)
Anne K. Sly MD
Director
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason W. Eppler MD
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie A. Nauser PhD
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Connor MD
Director
Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael W. Popp
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
R. Joseph Groebl
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven J. Schafer
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William J. Peterson MD
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark A. Martinez
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tylaine A. Solomon RN
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia J. Johnson RN
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica R. Peel
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucia E. Johnson
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan A. Melott RN
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Valerie E. Chow MD
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex B. Miller
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew C. Lueder MD
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
C. David Rios MD
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Francis Dailey MD
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Paul Armilio MD
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas P. Ross
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brenda J. Lofton MD
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd H. Bartels
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan L. Garcia MD
Secretary
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Frances A. Hardaway MD (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sam D. Hoeper Jr. MD (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Mitchell S. Fiser (2020) — Director
- Former: Stephanie L. Graff (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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $273K, to Cynthia a Randazzo (President & CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Research Foundation
How much does The Research Foundation give each year?
The Research Foundation gave $1.2M across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 34 grants.
What is The Research Foundation's typical grant size?
The Research Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $35,000, and its average grant was $34,104, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Research Foundation give grants?
The Research Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kansas (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (30 grants), Independence, MO (2 grants) and Kansas City, KS (2 grants).
Does The Research Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on The Research Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Expanding Access to Care - Medical Care" (7 grants), "Expanding Access to Care - Behavioral Health" (6 grants) and "Engaging Students in Healthcare Career Pathways" (3 grants).
Who are The Research Foundation's largest grantees?
The Research Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Operation Breakthrough Inc ($85,000 across 2 grants), Ability KC ($50,000) and Care Beyond the Boulevard ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Research Foundation?
The Research Foundation reported $112.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.6M.
What does The Research Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to invest in health-centered programs and partnerships that benefit health care students and professionals, patients, and people in the Kansas City community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Research Foundation?
The Foundation’s community-grant application is submitted online. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Research Foundation's EIN?
The Research Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1349021. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 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 14, 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 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 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 Research Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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 Sunderland Foundation
Overland Park, KS
The Sunderland Foundation supports organizations serving Greater Kansas City, focusing on affordable housing, economic stability, health and behavioral health, youth development, and select legacy institutions. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,750 to $25 million, with a median of $375,000; it is invitation-only and is not currently accepting applications or proposals.
Assets
$927.0M
Grants
25
Total Given
$102.1M
Jackson County Community Children's Services Fund
Kansas City, MO
Jackson County Community Children’s Services Fund supports nonprofits and government entities providing mental-health, prevention, family-support, and related services for children and youth through age 19 in Jackson County, Missouri. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $72,000, ranging from $5,625 to $419,036.
Assets
$30.5M
Grants
252
Total Given
$27.4M
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
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
Commerce Bancshares Foundation
Kansas City, MO
The foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations and community projects, with 2024 grants typically small (median $1,500) but ranging from $200 to $60,500. Most funding went to Missouri, followed by Kansas and Illinois, with smaller amounts elsewhere; it says applicants should contact the program director and provide proof of 501(c)(3) status, and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$35.0M
Grants
645
Total Given
$2.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Missouri
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Research Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-research-foundation-morg_63062b5be2c34b669b151eeadb44c196
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_431349021_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Research Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-research-foundation-morg_63062b5be2c34b669b151eeadb44c196},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Research 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 Research Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?