University Academy Foundation
University Academy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization created in 2010 to empower University Academy students and alumni from elementary through college graduation and beyond. The foundation delivers transformative academic support, enrichment programs, and lifelong resources to help students achieve college readiness, college completion, and career success. Through programs including summer camps, study abroad scholarships, college incentive awards, career coaching, and internship opportunities, UAF ensures UA students—who achieve 100% college acceptance rates—persist through college at rates significantly higher than national averages for similar demographics.
University Academy Foundation at a glance
In short: University Academy Foundation gave $102K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $51K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $101,531
- -12.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $50,766
- -12.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,766
- Total assets
- $2,245,783
- +94.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Missouri (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to University Academy Foundation
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from University Academy Foundation
Bush Charles Helzberg Study Abroad Scholarship
University Academy Foundation
Amount
Up to $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grad School/Test Prep Assistance
University Academy Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Middle School Summer Camp Scholarships
University Academy Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who University Academy Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University Academy ($90K). Together the top 2 received $102K.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 8 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How University Academy Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−1%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $26K (2021) to $115K (2024). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $102K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University Academy Kansas City, MO | Providing educational and cultural opportunities for the k-12 students to promote leadership, college preparation and community service. | $89,531 |
| Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City, MO | Internship Stipend | $12,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,245,783 | $2,253,246 | $1,174,431 | $101,531 | 2 | $27,424 |
| 2024 | $1,153,014 | $1,209,627 | $1,115,003 | $115,425 | 2 | $69 |
| 2023 | $1,057,856 | $1,178,351 | $1,042,881 | $100,937 | 2 | $172 |
| 2022 | $917,956 | $1,165,590 | $964,130 | $102,776 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | $715,219 | $933,446 | $833,292 | $26,385 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | $606,572 | $927,625 | $883,061 | $72,520 | 1 | $-428 |
| 2019 | $548,943 | $1,050,481 | $995,560 | — | — | — |
About University Academy Foundation
Based on IRS filings
University Academy Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Kansas City, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $102K. Net investment income was $27K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
University Academy Foundation is led by Sonja Shaffer, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 1 of 7 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sonja Shaffer
Executive Director
Executive Director - → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$38K (2022) → $99K (2025)
Byron White
President
Programs Committee Chair → Interim President -, 2023
Interim President - → President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald Hawkins
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Dickey
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jen Helzberg
Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mariah Jordan
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony McDaniel
Board Member -
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Bush Helzberg (2019–2023) — Interim President - April-May
- Former: Sonya Nutter (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Jeremy Goff (2020–2023) — President -
- Former: Bill Reisler (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Dwight Tiller (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kit Smith (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tony Kline (2019–2022) — Executive Director -
- Former: Laura Greenbaum (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: David Rucker (2019–2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Mindy Wilson (2019) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $99K, to Sonja Shaffer (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about University Academy Foundation
How much does University Academy Foundation give each year?
University Academy Foundation gave $102K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $115K across 2 grants.
How large is University Academy Foundation?
University Academy Foundation reported $2.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.3M.
What is University Academy Foundation?
University Academy Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Kansas City, MO. It holds $2.2M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does University Academy Foundation operate?
University Academy Foundation has awarded grants in Missouri.
What is University Academy Foundation's EIN?
University Academy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1578586. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 14, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work University Academy Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in University Academy Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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The Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation supports education, healthcare, social services, arts, Jewish community organizations, and efforts to improve financial security and quality of life in greater Kansas City. Its 2024 filing reported two grants totaling about $28 million, but the listed amounts are unusual and may not reflect a typical award. It accepts funding inquiries, while applications are by invitation.
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More similar funders
More Funders in Missouri
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Figures come from University Academy 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.
University Academy Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?