Dreiseszun Family Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $5,300,167 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Not publicly specified
Grant Range: $500 - $500,500
Average Grant: $73,613
Geographic Focus: Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Kansas City, KS/MO metropolitan areas

Contact Details

Address: c/o Debbie Pate, P.O. Box 12545, Overland Park, KS 66282-2545

Phone: (816) 898-3509

EIN: 48-1021776

Note: No website or email address publicly available

Overview

The Dreiseszun Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1985 in Missouri, with current operations based in Overland Park, Kansas. The foundation was established by the Dreiseszun family, known for significant investments in real estate and banking, particularly in the Midwest. With assets of approximately $111.8 million and annual giving of $5.3 million (2023), the foundation supports philanthropic efforts across three primary metropolitan regions: Kansas City (KS/MO), Phoenix (AZ), and Los Angeles (CA). The foundation made 72 awards in 2023, demonstrating consistent grantmaking activity with previous years showing 63 awards (2022), 59 awards (2021), and 69 awards (2020). The foundation focuses on arts and culture, education, health (particularly hospital and in-patient care), Judaism, and family and child welfare services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a single general grantmaking program with no specific named grant streams. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a suggested submission deadline of November 30th for requests for the following fiscal year.

Grant Range: $500 - $500,500 (based on historical data) Average Grant: Approximately $73,613

Priority Areas

The foundation supports a wide range of subject areas, with particular emphasis on:

Health: In-patient medical care, hospital care, and specialty hospital care
Education: Educational institutions and initiatives
Arts and Culture: Support for cultural institutions
Judaism: Religious causes and Jewish organizations
Human Services: Family and child welfare services
Community Development: Local philanthropic initiatives

Geographic Priorities

The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in three metropolitan areas:

Kansas City metropolitan area (Kansas and Missouri)
Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area
Los Angeles, California metropolitan area

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private family foundation, grantmaking appears to be at the discretion of the trustees.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by three co-trustees who serve without compensation:

Mrs. Helene Abrahams, Co-Trustee
Mrs. Brooke Levy, Co-Trustee
Mrs. Erica Fisher, Co-Trustee

Contact: Debbie Pate serves as the foundation's administrative contact.

The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation, with grantmaking decisions made by the board of trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Form: Not required

Initial Approach: Letter of inquiry

What to Include:

Copy of IRS Determination Letter
Brief history of organization and description of its mission
Detailed description of project and amount of funding requested

Submission Address: The Dreiseszun Family Foundation, c/o Debbie Pate, P.O. Box 12545, Overland Park, KS 66282-2545

Application Deadline: None (rolling basis), though submissions by November 30th are recommended for requests for the following fiscal year

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation with trustee-discretionary grantmaking, decision timeframes may vary depending on the timing of trustee meetings and review processes.

Success Rates

With 72 awards made in 2023 from total giving of $5.3 million, the foundation maintains active grantmaking. However, specific data on the number of applications received versus awards granted is not publicly available, making it impossible to calculate a precise success rate.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly specify a reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. The absence of stated restrictions suggests that organizations may submit future requests.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funding patterns and priorities, consider the following factors:

Geographic Alignment: The foundation has clearly defined geographic priorities. Organizations located in or serving the Kansas City, Phoenix, or Los Angeles metropolitan areas are most likely to receive funding.

Focus Area Match: Applications that align with the foundation's documented areas of interest—particularly health (especially hospital/in-patient care), education, Judaism, arts and culture, and family/child welfare—appear to receive priority.

Simplicity and Clarity: The foundation's straightforward application process (letter format without extensive forms) suggests they value clear, concise proposals that directly state the organization's mission, the specific project need, and the funding request.

Established Organizations: As a foundation that has operated for nearly 40 years, they likely prefer supporting established nonprofits with proven track records, as evidenced by their requirement for IRS Determination Letters.

Varied Grant Sizes: With grants ranging from $500 to over $500,000 and an average of approximately $73,600, the foundation appears willing to fund both smaller specific projects and larger institutional initiatives.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic fit is critical: Ensure your organization serves one of the three priority metropolitan areas (Kansas City, Phoenix, or Los Angeles) before applying
Keep it simple: Submit a straightforward letter of inquiry rather than a complex proposal package
Timing matters: While applications are accepted year-round, submitting by November 30th may align with fiscal year planning
Focus area alignment: Emphasize how your work connects to health, education, Judaism, arts/culture, or family/child welfare
Be specific about funding needs: Clearly articulate the project and exact funding amount requested
Demonstrate organizational stability: Include your IRS Determination Letter and provide a brief but solid organizational history
Trustee-discretionary process: Understand that with three family trustees making decisions, funding may reflect personal interests and established relationships within the foundation's priority areas

References

Research compiled December 2025