Topeka Community Foundation
Topeka Community Foundation is a public charity based in Topeka, Kansas, that connects donors with community needs and supports charitable giving in the region. Founded in 1983, it manages charitable funds established by individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
Topeka Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Topeka Community Foundation gave $6.1M across 136 grants in 2024 (avg $45K), mostly in Kansas. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,110,409
- +17.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 136
- +5.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $44,929
- +11.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $115,091,643
- +6.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (28 of 135, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Kansas (84% 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 Topeka Community Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation’s website directs applicants to review the requirements for each grant opportunity. For Impact Topeka, organizations should schedule an initial interview with Foundation leadership; for Better Together, organizations are encouraged to consult the Director of Strategic Initiatives before applying. The Foundation’s filing describes proposal review and interviews for its initiative grants.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5431 Sw 29Th St 300, Topeka, KS 66614
Phone: (785) 272-4804
Website: https://topekacommunityfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Topeka Community Foundation
Greater Topeka Fund
Topeka Community Foundation
Amount
Up to $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Greater Topeka Fund Grant
Topeka Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Healthy Lifestyles Grant
Topeka Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Topeka Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center ($525K). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
622 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 472 grants of 622 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s grant programs include opportunities for Topeka and Shawnee County, as well as programs covering specified Kansas counties. In 2024, 84% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Kansas, 10% to Missouri, 2% to Colorado, and 1% each to Alabama and California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 136 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Topeka Community Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 28 of 135 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $37K; repeat grants $47K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $22K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+8%). Method
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 $3.9M (2020) to $6.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 136 grants totaling $6.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center Lawrence, KS | Mental Health | $525,000 |
| Mid America Assistance Coalition Kansas City, MO | Human Service | $500,000 |
| Washburn University Foundation Topeka, KS | Educational | $304,400 |
| Friends of the Free State Capitol Inc Topeka, KS | Public Affairs | $300,000 |
| Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas Inc Wichita, KS | Community Devel | $225,200 |
| Kansas Children's Discovery Center Topeka, KS | Educational | $202,000 |
| University of Kansas Endowment Association Lawrence, KS | Educational | $173,200 |
| City of Topeka Topeka, KS | Health, General | $154,172 |
| Alliance for a Healthy Kansas Topeka, KS | Health, General | $150,000 |
| Capper Foundation Topeka, KS | Disease/Disorder | $140,422 |
Ready to take the next step with Topeka Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $115,091,643 | $13,334,670 | $8,326,481 | $6,110,409 | 136 | $6,901,453 |
| 2023 | $107,689,362 | $17,566,856 | $7,420,771 | $5,202,562 | 129 | $9,765,290 |
| 2022 | $93,545,461 | $3,066,735 | $6,969,281 | $4,896,683 | 127 | $-8,992,368 |
| 2021 | $100,471,763 | $20,052,109 | $7,292,850 | $5,669,628 | 129 | $11,303,744 |
| 2020 | $83,907,223 | $10,296,252 | $8,374,172 | $3,945,920 | 101 | $5,443,563 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to connect donors with their interests and community needs, increase charitable giving, provide leadership on key community issues, and ensure stewardship and accountability for effective community investment. Its filing describes grants and scholarships for charitable, scientific, religious, and educational purposes.
Its grant opportunities include support for community needs and social and economic prosperity in Topeka and Shawnee County; initiatives addressing social determinants of health; projects benefiting women and children; health habits and behaviors in specified Kansas counties; and reducing financial barriers to prescription medications in Shawnee County. Its impact-investing focus areas include healthcare access, safety and stability, and education and opportunity, with priority neighborhoods identified using the City of Topeka Health Map.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate a range of work. The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center says it advances community health through behavioral health services. Mid America Assistance Coalition says it serves economically vulnerable populations through client services, policy advocacy, and information systems. Washburn University Foundation says it promotes and develops financial resources for Washburn University. Friends of the Free State Capitol says it preserves and restores Constitution Hall to educate the public about Kansas Free State immigrants and abolition. Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas says it develops a workforce system responsive to regional and state needs. Kansas Children’s Discovery Center says it enhances children’s lives and enriches communities, while Capper Foundation says it builds abilities and empowers people with disabilities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 136 grants totaling $6,110,409. Grants ranged from $5,150 to $525,000, with a median of $20,000. The Foundation’s website says it grants more than $2 million annually to nonprofit organizations, through donor-advised funds and initiative grants.
Among its largest reported 2024 grants were $525,000 to The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center for mental health and $500,000 to Mid America Assistance Coalition for human services. Other large grants included $304,400 to Washburn University Foundation for education, $300,000 to Friends of the Free State Capitol for public affairs, $225,200 to Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas for community development, and $202,000 to Kansas Children’s Discovery Center for education.
The Foundation’s filing says its Community Investment Committee issues annual requests for proposals for initiative grants. Proposals are reviewed, organization representatives are interviewed, and grants are made to organizations demonstrating the ability to provide the largest community impact. Donor-advised fund requests are researched by the president to verify recipient eligibility. The filing also says scholarship applications are scored by an independent reading team according to each scholarship’s criteria.
Current program information includes Greater Topeka Fund grants of up to $10,000, with priority for proposals explaining a compelling need and providing a detailed, itemized budget. Better Together grants support Shawnee County nonprofits developing innovative social-determinants-of-health solutions; organizations are encouraged to consult the Foundation’s Director of Strategic Initiatives before applying. The Women’s Fund offers one-year grants of up to $10,000 for projects benefiting women and children; the website identifies applications for 2027 awards as open. The Healthy Lifestyles Grant is described as providing up to $20,000 per year for two years for programs in specified Kansas counties. A separate program listing describes its 2023 cycle as closed. Impact Topeka seeks nonprofit work addressing root causes of poor health through innovative approaches, partnerships, and policy, environmental, or systems change; interested organizations are asked to schedule an initial interview with Foundation leadership.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Pam Alexander as assistant secretary, Shelly Buhler as secretary, Tara Dimick as immediate past chair, and Leslie Fleuranges, Virginia Barnes, Tony Barry, Timothy Bell Jr., Noel Etzel, Matt Pivarnik, and Robert Kenagy as members.
Topeka Community Foundation is led by Marsha L. Pope, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 16 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Marsha L. Pope
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$146K (2020) → $192K (2024)
Jennifer Sourk
Chair
Board Member → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Alexander
Assistant Secretary
Chair → Past Chair, 2022
Past Chair → Assistant Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shelly Buhler
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tara Dimick
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Bell Jr.
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Kenagy
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shane Van Dalsem
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Lang
Treasurer
Co-Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Noel Etzel
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Khounsavanh Killough
Member
Board Member → Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tony Barry
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Virginia Barnes
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Fleuranges
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Pivarnik
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Sharp
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Barry Feaker (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Curtis Sneden (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Tiffany Anderson (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Arnold Downing Sr. (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Brad Owen (2020–2022) — Co-Treasurer
- Former: Robin Wolgast (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Stephen Wade (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Chris McGee (2020–2021) — Immd Past-Chair
- Former: Keith Warta (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Sarah Lucero (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Ximena Garcia (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Leah Gabler-Marshall (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Randy Peterson (2020) — Board Member
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 $192K, to Marsha Pope (President).
Frequently asked questions about Topeka Community Foundation
How much does Topeka Community Foundation give each year?
Topeka Community Foundation gave $6.1M across 136 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $5.2M across 129 grants.
What is Topeka Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Topeka Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $44,929, across 136 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Topeka Community Foundation that year got $37K on average.
Where does Topeka Community Foundation give grants?
Topeka Community Foundation gives mostly in Kansas: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Missouri (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Topeka, KS (84 grants), Lawrence, KS (11 grants), Kansas City, MO (5 grants) and Kansas City, KS (4 grants).
Does Topeka Community Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 15% of Topeka Community Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (20 of 136) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Religion" (22 grants), "Human Service" (21 grants) and "Educational" (17 grants).
Who are Topeka Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Topeka Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center ($525,000), Mid America Assistance Coalition ($500,000) and Washburn University Foundation ($304,400), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Topeka Community Foundation?
Topeka Community Foundation reported $115.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $13.3M.
What does Topeka Community Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to connect donors with their interests and community needs, increase charitable giving, provide leadership on key community issues, and ensure stewardship and accountability for effective community investment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Topeka Community Foundation?
The Foundation’s website directs applicants to review the requirements for each grant opportunity. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Topeka Community Foundation's EIN?
Topeka Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-0972106. 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 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Topeka Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Topeka Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/topeka-community-foundation-morg_f5ce7d5b07244c49914cb5ba10b0ffb0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_480972106_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Topeka Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/topeka-community-foundation-morg_f5ce7d5b07244c49914cb5ba10b0ffb0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. 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 Topeka Community 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.
Topeka Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?