The Schneider Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $525,000-$875,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications reviewed September 30, decisions made at annual June board meeting (approximately 8-9 months)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $270,000
• Median Grant: $25,000
• Geographic Focus: Springfield, Missouri area
• Total Assets: $13-14 million
• Total Grants Since 1989: $7.7 million+

Contact Details

Address: 1615 S Glenstone Ave, Springfield, MO 65804-1505

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 14229, Springfield, MO

Phone: 417-888-2223

Email: sf@theschneiderfoundation.net

Website: TheSchneiderFoundation.net

Trust Management: US Bank Trust Department

Overview

The Schneider Foundation was established in 1989 by Henry and Jane Schneider with an initial investment of $200,000 from proceeds of artwork sold at auction. Since its founding, the foundation has awarded over $7.7 million to Springfield area programs, with current assets of approximately $13-14 million. The foundation was born from Henry Schneider's personal experience as a gifted student in an era when limited educational programming existed for exceptional children. Following Henry Schneider's passing in September 2024 at age 98, his son, J. Michael Schneider, MD (a retired anesthesiologist), assumed the presidency in 2022 and continues the family's legacy of supporting educational excellence. The foundation grants approximately 5% of its average investment assets annually and has evolved to focus primarily on gifted education, progressive learning environments, and youth development programs in the greater Springfield area. The foundation is recognized as a pillar in the Springfield community and was honored at the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools Donor Luncheon alongside Bass Pro Shops for its sustained commitment to educational advancement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single annual grant cycle with applications accepted July 1 through September 30 each year. Decisions are made at the annual Board of Directors meeting held in June.

Annual Grant Cycle:

• Grant Range: $5,000 - $270,000 (though website states typical range is $5,000-$25,000)
• Application Period: July 1 - September 30
• Application Method: Online via Google Forms on foundation website
• Decision Timeline: Annual Board meeting in June (following September application deadline)
• Fiscal Year: October 1 - September 30

Priority Areas

Primary Focus - Gifted Education:

• International Baccalaureate (IB) programs (pre-K through grade 12)
• Programs for self-motivated, exceptional children
• Pre-college enrichment programs
• Gifted student academies and summer programs

Secondary Focus Areas:

• Higher education institutions supporting gifted education
• Youth development and character-building programs
• Arts and cultural education (symphony orchestras)
• Science and engineering education
• Human services benefiting exceptional youth

Geographic Priority: Highest priority given to projects in the Springfield, Missouri area

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does NOT support:

• Individual scholarships
• Endowment campaigns and events
• General fundraising drives
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) IRS determination letters
• Nongovernmental agencies or organizations lacking tax-exempt status

Governance and Leadership

Current Board of Directors (as of 2025)

Officers:

• J. Michael Schneider, MD - President (assumed role in 2022)
• Henry S. Schneider - Founder/Past President (1926-2024, served since inception)
• Susan S. Holliday - Vice President
• Ross M. Schneider - Vice President
• W. David Myers - Treasurer
• Douglas R. Nickell - Secretary

Additional Directors:

• James Johnson

Advisory Board Members:

• Luke Holliday (approved 2025)
• Stacey Penney (approved 2025)
• Grandchildren of founders (included in expanded advisory capacity)

Board Compensation: According to federal Form 990 filings, no compensation is awarded to officers or board members.

Leadership Philosophy

Dr. Mike Schneider has stated his goal is to "make the foundation more visible" while continuing his father's legacy of community giving. The foundation's approach reflects Henry Schneider's personal experience: "Henry grew up as a gifted student in an era when there wasn't a lot of educational programming available," which motivated the foundation's focus on ensuring exceptional students have access to challenging, enriching educational opportunities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Period: July 1 - September 30 annually (for grants awarded the following June)

Application Method:

• Online submission via Google Forms
• Access the application form at: TheSchneiderFoundation.net/apply-for-a-grant
• Submit proposals by September 30 deadline

Required Documentation:

• Proof of 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter
• Project description aligned with foundation's vision
• Specific information about how the grant will enhance education for self-motivated, extraordinary children

Decision Timeline

1. September 30: Application deadline
2. October-May: President and directors review applications
3. June: Annual Board of Directors meeting where final decisions are made
4. Total Timeline: Approximately 8-9 months from submission to decision

Application Review Process

According to the foundation's guidelines:

1. Applications are transmitted to the President of the Foundation
2. President, in consultation with one or more directors, will either:
   • Decline requests that do not align with their vision
   • Request further information if a decision cannot be made based on the application
   • Submit the request for consideration at the annual Board meeting
3. Final decisions are made collectively at the annual Board of Directors meeting in June

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation awarded 11 grants in 2025 out of an undisclosed number of applications, suggesting a competitive process.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly state restrictions on reapplication. Organizations may submit proposals annually during the open application period. Several organizations (Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, The Summit Preparatory School, Drury University) have received multiple grants over the years, indicating that previous recipients can and do successfully reapply.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Mission is Critical

The foundation's focus on "self-motivated, extraordinary children" and gifted education is not merely stated—it is deeply embedded in the founder's personal story and drives every funding decision. Applications must clearly demonstrate how they will serve gifted, high-ability, or exceptionally motivated students.

Demonstrated Track Record

Organizations receiving the largest grants (Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, The Summit Preparatory School, Drury University) have received sustained support over many years, ranging from $1-2.2 million in cumulative grants. This suggests the foundation values:

• Proven program effectiveness
• Long-term relationships
• Measurable impact on gifted students
• Sustainability and organizational stability

Recent Funding Patterns (2025 Grants)

The foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $875,000 in 2025:

Largest Awards:

• Foundation for Springfield Public Schools (IB Program): $270,000
• The Summit Preparatory School: $250,000
• Drury University (Gifted Education): $130,000

Medium-Range Awards:

• Ozarks Science and Engineering Fair: $40,000
• TRIO Upward Bound: $36,000
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield: $35,000
• Springfield Symphony Orchestra: $30,000

Smaller Awards:

• Springfield-Greene County Library
• Discovery School
• Springfield Youth Symphony
• CASA of Southwest Missouri

The Foundation Values

Local Focus: The foundation prioritizes Springfield-area organizations. The vast majority of grants go to local institutions deeply rooted in the community.

Educational Innovation: Programs like the International Baccalaureate (the only pre-K to grade 12 IB program in Missouri) and specialized gifted education centers receive substantial, sustained funding.

Multi-Year Commitment: The Summit Preparatory School received $2.2 million since 2012, including a transformative $500,000 grant in 2018. The IB program has received over $1.7 million total. This indicates the foundation is willing to make significant, sustained investments in programs demonstrating exceptional outcomes.

Strategic Considerations

Program-Specific Funding Preferred: Grants are typically designated for specific programs (IB Program, Summerscape, Leadership Academy) rather than general operating support, though some general operations grants are awarded.

Capacity for Large Grants: While the median grant is $25,000 and the website states a typical range of $5,000-$25,000, the foundation has awarded grants as large as $270,000. Organizations with transformational projects should not self-select out based on the stated typical range.

Summer Programs and Enrichment: The foundation has a demonstrated interest in summer programming for gifted students (Summerscape, Summer Pals, Leadership Academy), suggesting strong receptivity to proposals for intensive, time-limited enrichment experiences.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Mission alignment is paramount: Applications must clearly demonstrate focus on gifted, exceptional, or highly motivated students. Generic youth programming without this differentiation is unlikely to succeed.

• Local organizations strongly preferred: Springfield-area nonprofits receive nearly all funding. Organizations outside the immediate area should only apply if they serve Springfield students or have a compelling Springfield connection.

• Long-term relationships matter: The foundation's largest grants go to organizations it has supported for years or decades. First-time applicants may want to start with smaller requests to build the relationship.

• Be specific about educational outcomes: Applications should clearly articulate how they will challenge and enrich exceptional students, with measurable outcomes and evidence of program effectiveness.

• Don't be limited by stated typical grant range: While the website lists $5,000-$25,000 as typical, recent grants have ranged up to $270,000. Well-aligned, high-impact proposals can request larger amounts.

• The application deadline is firm: September 30 is the annual cutoff. The long timeline between application and decision (8-9 months) requires patient organizations.

• Program-specific proposals may have an advantage: Rather than requesting general operating support, consider framing the request around a specific program initiative aligned with gifted education.

References

• The Schneider Foundation official website: TheSchneiderFoundation.net (accessed February 2026)
• The Schneider Foundation - Board Meeting Minutes and History: https://www.theschneiderfoundation.net/board-minutes (accessed February 2026)
• The Schneider Foundation - Grant Application Guidelines: https://www.theschneiderfoundation.net/apply-for-a-grant (accessed February 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Schneider Foundation (EIN 43-1530098): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/431530098 (accessed February 2026)
• Springfield Business Journal - "Business Spotlight: Gifts for the Gifted": https://sbj.net/stories/business-spotlight-gifts-for-the-gifted,85333 (accessed February 2026)
• Foundation for Springfield Public Schools - "The Schneider Foundation donates $270,000 to Support IB programs at SPS": https://www.supportsps.org/the-schneider-foundation-donates-270000-to-support-ib-programs-at-sps/ (accessed February 2026)
• Drury University News - "Drury University receives $65,000 grant from The Schneider Foundation" (May 2025): https://www.drury.edu/newsroom/drury-university-receives-65000-grant-from-the-schneider-foundation/ (accessed February 2026)
• Springfield Business Journal - "Summit Prep awarded $200K from foundation": https://sbj.net/stories/summit-prep-awarded-200k-from-foundation,86448 (accessed February 2026)
• Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home - Obituary for Henry Schneider: https://www.gormanscharpf.com/obituary/henry-schneider (accessed February 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile - Schneider Foundation: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/431530098-schneider-foundation/ (accessed February 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - The Schneider Foundation Trust Department: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=SCHN059 (accessed February 2026)
• Missouri State University News - "Grant expands college prep for SPS students at Missouri State" (July 2025): https://news.missouristate.edu/2025/07/03/grant-expands-college-prep-for-sps-students-at-missouri-state/ (accessed February 2026)