The Schmidt Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Schmidt Foundation gives priority to Hays and Ellis County and considers projects of merit across Kansas after those needs are met, so an organisation working in those areas should check its work against its stated themes of education, healthcare, the arts and economic development.
- Typical grants, the band where about 8 in 10 of its 242 grants to organisations fall, run from $2,000 to $125,000, with a median of $20,000 and half of grants at $20,000 or less, so a modest request in that range fits its usual pattern.
- Most recorded grant purposes are general operations, and its website invites organisations whose goals and energy match its mission to apply, so a clear account of what the organisation intends to achieve is worth setting out.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there is no deadline to miss, but 88% of its grant dollars to organisations in the latest filing went to groups it had also funded in the two filings before, which suggests existing ties matter.
- An organisation that is new to the foundation or has not received a grant from it should still apply if its work fits, and it should not expect its first request to match the repeat support that the foundation mainly gives.
Overview
The Schmidt Foundation is a US private foundation based in Hays, KS.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Schmidt Foundation is dedicated to improving quality of life in its communities through education, healthcare, the arts and economic development. Its public application page invites organisations in served areas whose work aligns with its mission and who have exciting goals and energy to make things happen. It gives priority to Hays and Ellis County, extending its commitment to communities where the Schmidt family has operated farms, ranches and businesses. After these needs are met, it considers projects of merit in Kansas and needs in broadcasting and broadband. Its grants reach educational, health, arts and civic organisations, and most recorded grant purposes are general operations.
Themes
- Education
- Healthcare
- The Arts
- Economic Development
Geographic Focus
Priority: Hays; Ellis County; Kansas.
How to apply
Organisations located in an area served are asked to submit an application.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 88% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 242 grants to organisations were $20,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The foundation looks for organisations aligned with its mission, with exciting goals and energy to make things happen.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 22% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to organisations The Schmidt Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 4% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 70 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $20,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Hays Arts Council · General operations$333,3332024 tax year
- Hays Arts Council · General operations$333,3332024 tax year
- Fhsu Foundation · General operations$300,0002024 tax year
- Fort Hays Tech North Central Foundation · General operations$250,0002024 tax year
- Grow Hays · General operations$250,0002024 tax year
- KVC Foundation · General operations$250,0002024 tax year
- High Plains Mental Health Center · General operations$250,0002024 tax year
- Fhsu Foundation · General operations$250,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Randy Walker — Trustee
- Joseph W Jeter — Trustee
- Gary Shorman — Trustee / President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $4,684,524 | $3,809,800 | $73,866,179 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $4,500,345 | $3,590,970 | $82,457,351 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,731,744 | $3,876,141 | $85,428,654 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Schmidt Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (785) 625-1772
- Hays, KS
- schmidtfoundation.net
Applying to The Schmidt Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (785) 625-1772
- Hays, KS
- schmidtfoundation.net