The Trusler Foundation Inc
The Trusler Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Emporia, Kansas. Its 2025 filing reports 14 grants totaling $358,611, all to recipients in Kansas.
The Trusler Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Trusler Foundation Inc gave $359K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in Kansas. 62% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $358,611
- -1.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $25,615
- +13.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,204
- Total assets
- $1,268,990
- -13.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 62% first-time grantees (8 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Kansas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Trusler Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists no application form or materials and no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None listed on the filing.
- Deadline
- None listed on the filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Linda Kehres-Schmidt
Mailing address: 527 Commercial St Suite B, Emporia, KS 66801
Phone: (620) 342-9304
Email: emporiacf@emporiacf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Trusler Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Olpe Community Improvement ($50K). Together the top 10 received $332K.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 71 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to Kansas recipients. The filing lists awards to organizations and projects in places including Emporia, Olpe, Strong City, Cottonwood Falls, Hartford, and Elmdale.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Trusler Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
62%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 13 grantees (62%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $34K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $41K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 15% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 87% 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 (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $311K (2021) to $382K (2023). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $359K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Olpe Community Improvement Olpe, KS | Olpe Fitness Park - Phase #2 | $50,000 |
| Empoira Main Street Emporia, KS | Digital Fabrication Innovation and Training Center | $50,000 |
| Plumb Place Emporia, KS | Next 100 Years Campaign | $50,000 |
| Strong City Preservation Alliance Strong City, KS | Handicap Accessible/Family Friendly Restrooms | $50,000 |
| Toledo Township Emporia, KS | Saffordville Community Center Heating & Air | $35,000 |
| Emporia Senior Center Emporia, KS | Tables & Chairs | $31,585 |
| Chase County Old School Development District Cottonwood Falls, KS | New Heating & Air in the Gym | $22,908 |
| USD 252 Hartford, KS | Safe & Secure Entrances | $17,500 |
| Symphony in the Flint Hills Cottonwood Falls, KS | 2024 Symphony in the Flint Hills | $15,000 |
| Crosswinds Counseling & Wellness Emporia, KS | Improving Summer Food Access | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,268,990 | $193,214 | $393,606 | $358,611 | 14 | $364,585 | $167,004 | $421,432 |
| 2024 | $1,469,373 | $166,714 | $401,388 | $362,330 | 16 | $368,769 | $134,638 | $353,387 |
| 2023 | $1,704,048 | $85,140 | $421,690 | $381,990 | 14 | $389,129 | $72,909 | $366,411 |
| 2022 | $2,040,594 | $135,121 | $394,860 | $350,320 | 12 | $357,989 | $101,408 | $377,735 |
| 2021 | $2,300,333 | $246,982 | $358,076 | $311,144 | 15 | $319,355 | $209,958 | $344,643 |
| 2020 | $2,411,427 | $229,485 | $408,236 | $356,840 | 11 | — | $191,121 | $352,152 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Trusler Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $421K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to a range of organizations and projects. For example, Plumb Place describes its mission as providing “safe, affordable housing and opportunities for success” to women in need; Emporia Senior Center says it works to enhance Lyon County seniors’ quality of life through health, social and recreational activities, and advocacy; and Symphony in the Flint Hills describes its mission as heightening appreciation and knowledge of the Flint Hills tallgrass prairie.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $358,611. Grants ranged from $3,000 to $50,000, with a median of $20,204. Among the largest were $50,000 to Olpe Community Improvement for Olpe Fitness Park – Phase #2; $50,000 to Plumb Place for its Next 100 Years Campaign; and $50,000 to Strong City Preservation Alliance for accessible, family-friendly restrooms. Other reported awards included $35,000 to Toledo Township for heating and air at the Saffordville Community Center, $31,585 to Emporia Senior Center for tables and chairs, and $22,908 to Chase County Old School Development District for heating and air in the gym. Emporia Community Foundation received $3,618, and United Way of the Flint Hills received $3,000.
The foundation’s filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists no application form or materials, no deadlines, and no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists ESB Financial as trustee. Board members listed are Diltz Lindamood, Annie Wilson, Brian Filinger, Bob Symmonds, and Janel Wiederholt.
The Trusler Foundation Inc's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Esb Financial
Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$17K (2020) → $9K (2025)
Diltz Lindamood
Board Member
Coffey Co Representative → Chair, 2022
Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annie Wilson
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Symmonds
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Filinger
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janel Wiederholt
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Becky Numberg (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Pickert (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kay Lauer (2020–2022) — Chase Co Representative
- Former: Adela Maynez (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Steve Kuhlman (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Mark Schreiber (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Vicky Lopez (2020–2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $9K, to ESB Financial (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Trusler Foundation Inc
How much does The Trusler Foundation Inc give each year?
The Trusler Foundation Inc gave $359K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $362K across 16 grants.
What is The Trusler Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Trusler Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $20,204, and its average grant was $25,615, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Trusler Foundation Inc that year got $34K on average.
Where does The Trusler Foundation Inc give grants?
The Trusler Foundation Inc gives mostly in Kansas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Emporia, KS (8 grants) and Cottonwood Falls, KS (2 grants).
Does The Trusler Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on The Trusler Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Trusler Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Trusler Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Olpe Community Improvement ($50,000), Empoira Main Street ($50,000) and Plumb Place ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Trusler Foundation Inc?
The Trusler Foundation Inc reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $365K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $421K (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 Trusler Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to a range of organizations and projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Trusler Foundation Inc?
The filing lists no application form or materials and no restrictions on awards. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Trusler Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Trusler Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-6117374. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Trusler Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Trusler Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-trusler-foundation-inc-morg_2fba122259234f2fb84a70923fb07707
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_486117374_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Trusler Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-trusler-foundation-inc-morg_2fba122259234f2fb84a70923fb07707},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Trusler Foundation Inc'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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