Ronald D Deffenbaugh Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,750,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Kansas, Missouri, Virginia

Contact Details

• Location: Leawood, KS
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Website: None
• Application Method: No public application process - grants to preselected organizations only

Overview

The Ronald D Deffenbaugh Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in February 2009 in Kansas, with approximately $95.6 million in assets as of 2024. The foundation distributes approximately $3.75 million annually in charitable grants. Named after Ronald D. Deffenbaugh Sr., a successful Kansas City businessman who founded Deffenbaugh Industries (one of the largest waste management companies in the country), the foundation reflects his philanthropic legacy. Following a 2007 accident that left him quadriplegic, Deffenbaugh became a significant supporter of spinal cord injury research, notably funding the Spinal Cord Injury Repair Program at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants to preselected charitable organizations only. No specific grant programs with defined amounts are publicly advertised.

Priority Areas

Based on available data, the foundation supports:

• Community Improvement & Capacity Building
• Housing & Shelter
• Human Services
• Religion-Related activities
• Healthcare and medical research (particularly spinal cord injury research)

What They Don't Fund

As this is an invitation-only foundation, they do not fund unsolicited applications from organizations they have not preselected.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Charles E. Wetzler
• Mark O. Rosenau
• George McGrew

The foundation was established following the philanthropic vision of Ronald D. Deffenbaugh Sr. (1941-2014), who built his business empire starting with a single trash truck at age 15.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions are made internally for preselected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations cannot directly apply for grants from this foundation. The foundation identifies and selects its grant recipients through internal processes and existing relationships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a completely closed foundation that does not accept any unsolicited applications
• The foundation has significant assets ($95.6 million) and makes substantial annual grants ($3.75 million)
• Grant activity has been consistent with 40-54 grants made annually in recent years
• Geographic focus appears to be primarily Kansas and Missouri, with some activity in Virginia
• Given the founder's history, there may be particular interest in healthcare/medical research, especially spinal cord injury programs
• Organizations cannot proactively seek funding from this foundation
• Building relationships with trustees may be the only potential pathway to consideration

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ronald D Deffenbaugh Foundation profile (accessed February 2026)
• Legacy.com - Ronald D. Deffenbaugh obituary, Kansas City Star (August 28, 2014)
• Waste360 - "Ronald Deffenbaugh Dies; Launched Deffenbaugh Industries" (2014)
• GuideStar Profile for Ronald D Deffenbaugh Foundation (accessed February 2026)
• Various nonprofit databases including Instrumentl, Cause IQ, and Foundation Directory (accessed February 2026)