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

+14.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$23K

-17.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Trusler Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $353K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Kansas $1.8M (100%)

States

Kansas

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

Metric	2024	2023	2022
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

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

68 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Esu Foundation ($100,000), Symphony in the Flint Hills ($70,000), Emporia Area Chamber Foundation ($31,500).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
CAMP YOOD YMCA ELMDALE, KS	THE FEET UP CAMPAIGN	$10,000
CITY OF LEBO PARKS AND REC LEBO, KS	CITY PARK RENOVATIONS	$5,000
EMPORIA AREA CHAMBER FOUNDATION EMPORIA, KS	LITTLE LYONS DAY CARE	$31,500
EMPORIA ARTS COUNCIL EMPORIA, KS	ART SCAPE CAMPAIGN	$5,000
ESU FOUNDATION EMPORIA, KS	NURSING & STUDENT WELLNESS FACILITY	$100,000
HETLINGER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INC EMPORIA, KS	EXPAND HORIZONS & ENRICH LIVES	$14,000
SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS COTTONWOOD FALLS, KS	2024 SYMPHONY IN THE FLINT HILLS	$70,000
USD 284 COTTONWOOD FALLS, KS	RON MAYO FIELD	$30,000
CHASE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COTTONWOOD FALLS, KS	RIVER SUITE	$5,500
CITY OF ADMIRE ADMIRE, KS	COMMUNITY SAFETY	$18,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
ESB FINANCIAL	TRUSTEE	40	$10,304
DILTZ LINDAMOOD	BOARD MEMBER	2	—
ANNIE WILSON	BOARD MEMBER	2	—
BRIAN FILINGER	BOARD MEMBER	2	—
BOB SYMMONDS	BOARD MEMBER	2	—
JANEL WIEDERHOLT	BOARD MEMBER	2	—
BECKY NUMBERG	BOARD MEMBER	2	—

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Trusler Foundation Inc fund?

How do I apply for a grant from The Trusler Foundation Inc?

**Grant Sizes:** Grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000. **Application Process:** The Trusler Foundation Advisory Committee reviews grant applications. Required attachments for applicants include: • A one-page budget showing proposed revenues and expenses • List of officers and board members and their principal occupations • Most recent financial statement or Form 990 • Copy of organization's 501(c)(3) determination letter • If applicable, a list of partnering organizations and their con…

Where does The Trusler Foundation Inc make grants?

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

What size grants does The Trusler Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, The Trusler Foundation Inc awarded 16 grants totaling $362K — an average of about $23K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Trusler Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Trusler Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $353K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.