William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee
The William T Kemper Foundation is a private foundation based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Kemper Foundation describes itself as the philanthropic partner of Kemper Corporation and says it supports charitable causes and organizations in education, health, and community development through financial support and employee volunteerism.
Key facts about William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee
In short: William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee gave $15.5M across 142 grants in 2024 (avg $109K), mostly in Missouri. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 43-6345116
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $15,488,378
- Grants made (2024)
- 142
- Average grant
- $109,073
- Median grant
- $38,162
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (33 of 111, 2024)
- Total assets
- $288,473,816
- Primary geography
- Missouri (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$288.5M
+6.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$15.5M
-5.0% YoY
Grant Count
142
+6.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$109K
-10.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee reported a distributable amount of $16.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 33 of 111 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $155K; repeat grants $133K. How we count
Medians: $40K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 96% 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 (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Kemper Foundation says it aims to improve quality of life in underserved communities, with a focus on education, health, and community development. Its website describes education as helping people reach their potential and develop future leaders; health as supporting research and patient and caregiver needs; and community development as improving access to food and housing and advancing civil rights and advocacy.
The foundation’s 2023 filing identifies education, health and human services, civic improvements, and the arts as proposal categories. Its 2024 grants illustrate a range of supported organizations and projects. For example, Forest Park Forever says its mission is to restore, maintain, and sustain Forest Park as a public park for a diverse community; Samuel U Rodgers Health Center says it provides high-quality, compassionate, affordable health care for all; and The Opportunity Trust says it invests in educators and school systems seeking measurable change.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 142 grants totaling $15,488,378. Individual grants ranged from $500 to $1,500,000, with a median of $38,162. Larger awards included $1,500,000 to Forest Park Forever for the Campaign for the Glade over three years; $1,000,000 to Children’s Mercy Hospital for capacity building for its PATH Clinic as part of the Illuminate campaign; and $1,000,000 to the University of Kansas Cancer Center for a destination cancer center facility over three years. Other awards included $900,000 to The Tower Grove Park Foundation for core enhancements, $750,000 to Amethyst Place for expansion, and $750,000 to Samuel U Rodgers Health Center for a pediatric wing capital campaign.
Review Cycle
Deadlines are set by staff.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that grant dollars went primarily to Missouri recipients (88%) and Kansas recipients (10%), with 1% each reported for Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. The foundation’s Read Conmigo program materials identify eligible locations in specified counties in California, Florida, and Texas; locations vary by grant type.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 142 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $14.4M (2020) to $16.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 142 grants totaling $15.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Forest Park Forever Inc ($1.5M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $8.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($95,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
718 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 398 grants of 718 (55%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Park Forever Inc St. Louis, MO | Campaign for the Glade Over 3 Years | $1,500,000 |
| Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City, MO | Capacity building for path clinic as part of illuminate campaign | $1,000,000 |
| Kansas University Endowment Assoc (University of Kansas Cancer Center) Kansas City, KS | Building a destination cancer center facility over 3 years | $1,000,000 |
| The Tower Grove Park Foundation Saint Louis, MO | Campaign for tower grove park - complete core enhancements | $900,000 |
| Amethyst Place Inc Kansas City, MO | Expansion at 2770 Tracy | $750,000 |
| Samuel U Rodgers Health Center Inc Kansas City, MO | Pediatric Wing Capital Campaign | $750,000 |
| Nine Network of Public Media DBA Nine PBS St. Louis, MO | Engage, Connect, Strengthen Campaign Over 3 Years | $700,000 |
| Greater St Louis Inc Foundation St. Louis, MO | Tower Grove Connector Infrastructure Project Over 2 Years | $600,000 |
| Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault DBA Mocsa Kansas City, MO | A place for us: survivor-focused rape crisis center renovation | $500,000 |
| The Opportunity Trust St. Louis, MO | Expanding quality seats in st. Louis over 3 years | $500,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants reported | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15,488,378 | 142 |
| 2023 | $16,297,117 | 134 |
| 2022 | $16,739,442 | 152 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $288,473,816 | $271,997,857 | $275,292,023 |
| Revenue | $34,338,078 | $14,651,347 | $14,051,501 |
| Expenses | $18,291,961 | $17,656,773 | $21,671,052 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $15,966,103 | $16,772,700 | $17,217,953 |
| Net Investment Income | $29,896,623 | $13,478,558 | $13,036,452 |
| Distributable Amount | $16,663,043 | $15,918,360 | $16,819,348 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 9, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website lists Barbara Ciesemier as president, Uchenna Hicks as treasurer, and Bob O’Keefe as secretary. Its board of trustees includes Tom Evans, board chairman, and trustees John Boschelli, Brad Camden, Chris Flint, and Laura Rock. The 2024 filing lists Commerce Bank NA–Investment Management and Commerce Bank NA–Charitable Management as corporate trustees.
William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Commerce Bankna-Char Mgmt
Corp Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$377K (2020) → $393K (2024)
Commerce Bankna-Invmgmt
Corp Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$577K (2020) → $698K (2024)
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 $698K, to Commerce Bankna-Invmgmt (Corp Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Executive Director William T Kemper
Mailing address: Commerce Bank Trustee 1000 Walnut, Suite 1560, Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 234-1768
Website: https://thekemperfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee
How much does William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee give each year?
William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee gave $15.5M across 142 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $16.3M across 134 grants.
What is William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee's typical grant size?
William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee's median grant in 2024 was $38,162, and its average grant was $109,073, across 142 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee that year got $155K on average.
Where does William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee give grants?
William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee gives mostly in Missouri: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kansas (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (71 grants), St. Louis, MO (32 grants), Kansas City, KS (4 grants) and New York, NY (4 grants).
Does William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 142) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Annual Bequest" (7 grants), "Hvac Upgrade" (4 grants) and "2023/2024 Season Support" (3 grants).
Who are William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee's largest grantees?
William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee's largest 2024 grantees include Forest Park Forever Inc ($1,517,000 across 2 grants), Children's Mercy Hospital ($1,000,000) and Kansas University Endowment Assoc (University of Kansas Cancer Center) ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($95,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee?
William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee reported $288.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $16.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $16.7M (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 William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee fund?
The Kemper Foundation says it aims to improve quality of life in underserved communities, with a focus on education, health, and community development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee?
William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check thekemperfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee's EIN?
William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-6345116. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching William T Kemper Foundation Commerce Bank Trustee by hand.
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