The Trusler Foundation Inc

EMPORIA, KS EIN: 48-6117374

The Trusler Foundation Inc is an independent private grantmaking foundation established in 1957 in Kansas. Based in Emporia, Kansas, the foundation is managed by ESB Financial in conjunction with the Emporia Community Foundation (ECF). The foundation was established by Harold and Irene Trusler, with Harold being a nationally known grain dealer and prominent figure in civic and community affairs, including service as a vice president of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.5M

-13.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$362K

-5.1% YoY

Grant Count

16

+14.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$23K

-17.0% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation awards grants for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational purposes. The foundation's mission emphasizes evaluating the needs of its service region with an emphasis on economic development.

Grantmaking

Grant Range

s:** Grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000.

How to Apply

** The Trusler Foundation Advisory Committee reviews grant applications. Required attachments for applicants include:

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds projects and organizations within Chase County, Coffey County, and Lyon County in Kansas.

Grant Distribution by State

1states

States

Cities

AdmireAllenBurlingtonCedarpointCottonwood FallsElmdaleEmporiaHartfordLeboMadisonMatfield GreenOlpeSalinaStrong City

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Tax-Exempt Status: Tax-exempt since June 1959 EIN: 48-6117374

2023 Financial Data:

  • Revenue: $85,140
  • Expenses: $422,000
  • Total Assets: $1.7 million
  • Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$116K$232K$348K$464K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$1,469,373$1,704,048$2,040,594
Revenue$166,714$85,140$135,121
Expenses$401,388$421,690$394,860
Qualifying Distributions$368,769$389,129$357,989
Net Investment Income$134,638$72,909$101,408
Distributable Amount$353,387$366,411$377,735

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$95K$191K$286K$382K11 grants202015 grants202112 grants202214 grants202316 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

ESU FOUNDATION$100KSYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HI…$70KEMPORIA AREA CHAMBER FOU…$32KUSD 284$30KCHASE COUNTY$25KCITY OF ADMIRE$18KHETLINGER DEVELOPMENT SE…$14KABUNDANT HARVEST FOOD KI…$12KCHASE COUNTY CARE & COMP…$12KCAMP YOOD YMCA$10K

Grant Size Distribution

68 grants across all recorded years

55<$50K12$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

ESB FINANCIALTRUSTEE$10K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
ESB FINANCIALTRUSTEE40$10,304
DILTZ LINDAMOODBOARD MEMBER2
ANNIE WILSONBOARD MEMBER2
BRIAN FILINGERBOARD MEMBER2
BOB SYMMONDSBOARD MEMBER2
JANEL WIEDERHOLTBOARD MEMBER2
BECKY NUMBERGBOARD MEMBER2

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The foundation continues to award grants regularly through its annual application cycle. Recent grant recipients have included:

Trusler Foundation Awards Nearly $195,000 in Grants to Area Nonprofits

Chase County Care and Compassion (C4 Food Pantry) - $11,665.01 for food pantry building and renovation

Chase County - $25,000 for an emergency siren

Abundant Harvest Food Kitchen - $11,665.01 for expansion of their free hot meal program

Sacred Heart - $10,000 for "Helping Our Littlest Community Members Thrive" initiative

Symphony in the Flint Hills, Inc. - $35,000 toward their signature event

Contact Information

Phone: 620-342-8655

Address: PO Box 807, Emporia, KS 66801-0807

Related Funders

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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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