Wichita Foundation

What Wichita Foundation does

Wichita Foundation is a 501(c)(3) community foundation established in 1986 and headquartered at 303 S. Broadway, Suite 100 in Wichita, Kansas. It manages approximately $118 million in charitable assets across donor-advised funds, designated funds, field-of-interest funds, and agency funds, and awards roughly $5 million in grants annually through competitive grant rounds, fund holder recommendations, and emergency grants. The foundation also administers scholarship programs, operates an impact investing portfolio (ImpactICT Fund, $1.115M deployed), and runs a community lab rental space (Elevate). Its customer base spans individual philanthropists, more than 50 nonprofit organizations holding agency funds, professional advisors (CPAs, attorneys, wealth managers), scholarship recipients, and community partners in the Wichita/Sedgwick County region.

Revenue is generated primarily through tiered annual support fees on charitable funds (ranging from 2.0% on $10K-$50K funds down to 0.25% on funds above $25 million) and a separate agency fund fee schedule (1.0% to 0.25%). Ancillary revenue comes from Elevate conference room rentals ($50-$200 per booking), ImpactICT loan interest, and grant program administration. The foundation's go-to-market combines direct staff relationships with donors and nonprofits, professional advisor referral partnerships, online self-service portals (Fund Portal, Grant Portal, Scholarship Portal), and community events. Strategic initiatives include Press Forward Wichita (local news ecosystem revitalization), Upward Mobility (workforce and economic opportunity), and Nonprofit Elevation (capacity building), all governed by an eight-person staff and sixteen-member Board of Directors under President & CEO Shelly Prichard, who has led the organization since 2012.

The foundation is accredited under National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations by the Council on Foundations and operates without parent company, subsidiaries, or institutional ownership. Recent strategic activity includes the launch of ICT Together disaster response (January 2025), the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater (September 2025), adoption of the Anti-hate Funding Policy (November 2023), and ongoing leadership of Press Forward Wichita as a local affiliate of the MacArthur Foundation's national initiative.

Name

Wichita Foundation

Legal name

Wichita Foundation

Website

https://wichitafoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wichita Foundation is a 501(c)(3) community foundation in Wichita, Kansas managing approximately $118 million in charitable assets through donor-advised funds, agency funds for 50+ nonprofits, competitive and emergency grants, scholarships, and impact investments for local donors and organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation / Philanthropic Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Philanthropic fund management
• Charitable grantmaking
• Donor advised funds
• Scholarship administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Wichita

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Charitable Fund Management Fees: Annual support fees charged to charitable funds based on fund size. Fees range from 2.0% for $10,000-$50,000 funds to 0.25% for funds above $25 million. Agency funds have separate fee schedule ranging from 1.0% to 0.25%.
2. Agency Fund Fees: Fees for managing agency endowment funds for nonprofit organizations. Fee schedule: 1.0% for $10,000-$50,000, 0.5% for $50,001-$250,000, 0.25% for $250,001+. Minimum quarterly fee of $100 for agency funds below $10,000.
3. Grant Program Administration: On average, fund holders provide $5 million each year to local and nationwide nonprofit organizations through competitive grant cycles, fund holder grantmaking, and emergency grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wichita Foundation is a community foundation that manages charitable funds on behalf of individual donors, nonprofits, and advisors, then channels resources into the Wichita region through competitive grants, emergency grants, scholarship administration, and strategic initiatives including local news support and economic mobility programs. It functions as a philanthropic intermediary, providing investment oversight, fund administration, and grantmaking expertise across roughly $118 million in charitable assets, with separate fee schedules for charitable funds and agency funds.

Product overview

Wichita Foundation is a community foundation offering a comprehensive suite of philanthropic products and services centered around two primary community funds (Fund 316 and Fund for Wichita), competitive and emergency grant programs, and scholarship opportunities. The Foundation operates multiple online portals (Fund Portal, Grant Portal, Scholarship Portal) for fund holders and nonprofits. Key initiatives include Press Forward Wichita (local news revitalization), Upward Mobility, and Nonprofit Elevation. Additional services include Agency Funds for nonprofit endowments, ImpactICT (impact investing loans), Planned Giving, Elevate (community lab rental space), ICT Together (disaster response), and Reimagine Giving. The Foundation also facilitates various fund types including Donor Advised, Designated, Field of Interest, and Agency Funds for charitable giving strategies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fund 316: Community fund that powers WF's ability to lead, convene, innovate and respond to urgent community needs today.
• Fund for Wichita
• Press Forward Wichita
• Upward Mobility
• Nonprofit Elevation
• Elevate - A Community Lab
• ICT Together
• ImpactICT
• Reimagine Giving

Products and services

• Fund 316 A community fund that powers the Wichita Foundation's ability to lead, convene, innovate and respond to urgent community needs today. Supports strategic projects and priority programs including Press Forward Wichita and Nonprofit Elevation.
• Fund for Wichita The Foundation's permanent endowment that serves as a long-term, sustainable resource to strengthen Wichita's future, providing flexible resources for catalytic projects, innovative ideas, and long-term investments.
• Competitive Grants Competitive grant rounds overseen by the Foundation for fund holders to support nonprofit organizations working to meet community needs in Wichita and Sedgwick County.
• Emergency Grants Immediate relief assistance for nonprofit organizations in Wichita and Sedgwick County facing unexpected circumstances, processed on a rolling weekly basis.
• Scholarship Programs Scholarship funds established by donors that provide financial assistance for students attending accredited colleges, universities and technical schools, including multiple named scholarships for the Wichita Metro Area and statewide opportunities.
• Agency Funds Endowment funds established by nonprofit organizations at the Foundation for investment management, increased visibility, and cost-efficient administration; over 50 nonprofits have established agency funds.
• Donor Advised Funds Charitable funds in which donors make tax-deductible gifts and recommend grants to causes they wish to support at their convenience; advisors can include children as fund advisors.
• Designated Funds Charitable funds that support one or more specific nonprofit organizations, ensuring the donor's legacy fulfills its intended purpose over time.
• Field of Interest Funds Charitable funds supporting a specific interest area such as education, arts, or animal welfare, with the Foundation ensuring effective grant-making within that field.
• Planned Giving Estate planning services including bequests, beneficiary designations, and retirement asset naming, enabling donors to create charitable legacies through wills, trusts, and retirement plan designations.
• ImpactICT Fund Impact investing fund making flexible, affordable loans to local nonprofits and businesses aligned with strategic initiatives, launched in 2022 with $1.115M invested in Empower, The Garages, and Music Theatre Wichita.
• Elevate - A Community Lab Rental meeting space for nonprofits, community groups and businesses featuring audio/visual equipment, wireless internet, and refreshment service area, located on the first floor of Broadway Autopark with capacity for 30 attendees.
• ICT Together Disaster response fund supporting families, first responders, and community recovery following the Flight 5342 tragedy, raising over $300,000 for immediate and long-term healing.
• Fund Portal Secure online portal for fund holders to access current balances, contribution and grant history, and fund statements.
• Grant Portal Secure grant management portal for nonprofits to submit and track grant applications, view awarded grants, and access grant progress reports.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $100 million in grants awarded since 1986
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Greater Washington Community FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2025Partnership following Flight 5342 disaster. Wichita Foundation partnered with Greater Washington Community Foundation and their DCA Together Relief Fund to help ensure coordinated and compassionate response across regions.
• U.S. Figure Skating FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2025Partnership for ICT Together disaster response fund. Separate support provided for the figure skating community impacted by Flight 5342.
• Food on the StoveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2025Community partnership to provide on-the-ground aid, meals and supplies to first responders in the days following the Flight 5342 collision.
• Press Forward National (MacArthur Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023Wichita Foundation leads Press Forward Wichita, a local affiliate of the national Press Forward initiative led by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to strengthen local news. The national initiative raised more than $500 million in September 2023. Wichita is designated as an 'Expanding News Ecosystem' alongside Chicago, requiring reinforcement of the local news ecosystem.
• Solutions Journalism NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, supporting solutions-based journalism coverage in the Wichita area.
• American Journalism ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-partnered to expand The Beacon, a nonprofit news network in Kansas and Missouri. The Wichita Beacon operated for four years bringing new journalistic talent to the community.
• Tiny News CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Info Challenge initiative to identify and support early-stage or new information startups with $30,000 grants and two-year TNC membership.
• Center for Effective PhilanthropyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for fireside chat between WF President & CEO and CEP's Phil Buchanan about post-pandemic challenges and solutions for nonprofits.
• Indiana University Lilly School of PhilanthropyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with The Fund Raising School to educate Wichita nonprofit employees for two years as part of Nonprofit Elevation initiative.
• Boomer Consulting Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host succession planning training for 80 regional nonprofit employees. Partnership with McPherson County Community Foundation.
• Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership administering Share the Season holiday giving program from 2000-2021, raising $4.2 million for 3,700 families in need.
• The Wichita EagleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Salvation Army and The Wichita Eagle to administer Share the Season program during holiday season.
• Exploration PlacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact investment partnership to develop Wichita Foundation Amphitheater at Exploration Place. The amphitheater hosts RiverFlix movies, Riverside Yoga, Shop & Grub festivals, Parkrun 5Ks, and free concerts.
• EmpowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpactICT Fund loan recipient for North End activation and building purchase as part of the Vamos Nomar vision to revitalize the area. Engaged 14,134+ North End residents.
• NXTUSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for NXSTAGE pilot competition bringing entrepreneurs from around the world to Wichita.
• WSU TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Wichita Promise MOVE job training program, removing financial barriers for individuals to relocate to Wichita and train in aviation sheet metal assembly.
• Orpheum TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership since 2014 managing the Orpheum Restoration and Renovation Fund. In 2025, theatre began yearlong restoration, one of most significant in its 103-year history.
• Downtown Wichita PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Riverfront Legacy Master Plan and community development initiatives.
• Greater Wichita PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for Riverfront Legacy Master Plan and economic development initiatives.
• City of Wichita and Sedgwick CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partners for Riverfront Legacy Master Plan and various community initiatives.
• NonprofitGOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTenant at Elevate community lab. Organization helps organizations build capacity and enhance community services through Magnify Certification Program supported by Nonprofit Elevation Fund.
• Envision Workforce Innovation CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for website accessibility testing with certified testers with disabilities.
• Greater Wichita YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Job Prep program hosting summer interns at Wichita Foundation.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Omaha Community Foundation: Community foundation administering donor-advised funds, agency funds, scholarships, and competitive grants for the Omaha metro. Comparable mid-size community foundation operating model.
• Greater Kansas City Community Foundation: Regional community foundation serving the Kansas City metro area with comparable services including donor-advised funds, agency funds, competitive grants, and scholarship administration. Most geographically and operationally comparable peer in the region.
• Greater Washington Community Foundation: Regional community foundation and existing partner of Wichita Foundation through the ICT Together disaster response fund. Comparable services including DAFs, agency funds, emergency grants, and scholarship programs.
• Oklahoma City Community Foundation: Community foundation managing charitable assets for the Oklahoma City metro with comparable fund types, agency services, and competitive grant programs. Similar Plains-state regional peer.
• Tulsa Community Foundation: Oklahoma-based community foundation offering donor-advised funds, agency endowment services, competitive grants, and community impact investing. Mid-size regional peer with similar operating model.
• Lincoln Community Foundation: Nebraska-based community foundation offering charitable fund management, grantmaking, and scholarship administration. Comparable size and Plains-state regional focus.
• Greater Cincinnati Foundation: Mid-size regional community foundation providing donor-advised funds, competitive grants, agency fund services, and scholarship administration. Comparable product offering and scale.
• Topeka Community Foundation: Community foundation serving Topeka and Shawnee County, Kansas with donor-advised funds, grantmaking, and scholarship programs. Same-state peer with similar scale and mission focus.
• Denver Foundation: Community foundation serving the Denver metro with donor-advised funds, competitive grants, scholarships, and community leadership programs. Comparable scope and product mix.

Others

• Council on Foundations: National membership association for philanthropic organizations that administers the National Standards accreditation held by Wichita Foundation. Not a competitor but the industry body whose standards Wichita Foundation meets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wichitafoundation
• Xx.com/WichitaFdn

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wichita Foundation