Lair Foundation

## Grantmaking Approach & Strategy

The Lair Foundation operates as a lean, family-directed private foundation led by President Julie Lair and Secretary/Treasurer Todd Lair, neither of whom draws compensation. This volunteer leadership structure is characteristic of small-to-mid-size family foundations and signals that grantmaking decisions are deeply personal and relationship-driven rather than governed by a formal program staff or competitive RFP process.

The foundation's strategy centers on a concentrated portfolio approach — funding 12 to 21 organizations annually rather than spreading resources thinly across dozens of grantees. This concentration allows the Lairs to build meaningful partnerships with a core group of Wichita-area nonprofits, particularly in education and youth services. The $415,000 grant to Wichita State University Foundation for business school expansion in 2023 demonstrates a willingness to make transformative, large-scale investments in anchor institutions, while smaller grants to organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs and Big Brothers Big Sisters reflect an ongoing commitment to direct service delivery for young people.

The foundation's geographic strategy is primarily rooted in Wichita, Kansas, but includes a secondary national footprint spanning Florida, Nevada, the District of Columbia, and several other states. This suggests the Lair family maintains philanthropic ties beyond their home community, potentially connected to personal relationships, alma maters, or causes with national reach such as veteran support programs. The 9/11 veteran scholarship and special operations military scholarship programs indicate a strong patriotic and service-oriented value system that shapes giving priorities alongside the community-focused portfolio.

## Funding Patterns & Financial Trends

The Lair Foundation has demonstrated consistent growth over the past decade, with total assets expanding from approximately $3.1 million in 2011 to $16.76 million in 2024 — a more than fivefold increase. This growth has been fueled by substantial ongoing contributions ($1.5 million in 2024 alone, representing 67.9% of revenue), supplemented by investment income from dividends ($563,229) and asset sales ($144,638).

Annual Grantmaking Trajectory: - 2020: 18 awards - 2021: 15 awards - 2022: 19 awards - 2023: 12 awards, $765,204 total (median grant: $15,000; range: $2,344–$415,000) - 2024: 21 awards, $1,366,950 total (range: $1,500–$430,000)

The 2024 fiscal year marked a significant increase in giving — nearly doubling the 2023 distribution to $1.37 million across 21 grants. This suggests the foundation may be entering a more active grantmaking phase as assets have grown substantially. The charitable disbursement ratio is exceptionally high at 95.2% of total expenses, with administrative overhead near zero due to the unpaid leadership model.

Grant sizes show considerable variance, with a typical range from $1,500 for smaller community organizations up to $430,000 for major institutional partners. The median grant of approximately $15,000 represents the most common award level, making the foundation accessible to mid-size nonprofits. The concentration of large grants in education (particularly WSU) and early childhood services (Rainbows United at $183,560) indicates these are the foundation's flagship priority areas.

## Peer Comparison: Wichita-Area Family Foundations

The Lair Foundation operates within a robust philanthropic ecosystem in Wichita, which is home to 338 foundations with combined assets of $6 billion. Here is how the Lair Foundation compares to peer family foundations in the region:

The Lair Foundation occupies a distinctive niche: it punches above its weight in annual grantmaking relative to assets (8.2% payout rate vs. the typical 5% minimum), while maintaining zero administrative overhead. Compared to the Koch and Beren foundations, which have dedicated staff and more formal application processes, the Lair Foundation offers a more personal, relationship-driven pathway for nonprofits. Its focus on youth services, veteran support, and early childhood intervention differentiates it from the arts-and-education emphasis of the Koch Foundation and the Jewish community focus of the Beren foundations. For Wichita-area nonprofits working in education and human services, the Lair Foundation represents one of the most accessible mid-size family funders in the region.

## Recent Activity & Developments

The Lair Foundation's most recent fiscal year (2024) marked its most active grantmaking period to date, with $1.37 million distributed across 21 grants — nearly double the $765,204 distributed in 2023. This surge in giving coincides with continued asset growth to $16.76 million, suggesting the foundation is leveraging its strengthened financial position to increase community impact.

Key recent grants reflect the foundation's established priorities with some notable expansions:

Education: Wichita State University remains the foundation's largest single grantee, with the 2023 grant of $415,000 directed toward business school expansion. The foundation's support for WSU athletics promotion and academic programs represents a multi-year institutional partnership.

Early Childhood & Youth: Rainbows United received $183,560 for early childhood intervention programs serving children with developmental delays and disabilities in the Wichita area. Continued support for Boys & Girls Clubs and Big Brothers Big Sisters demonstrates a sustained commitment to youth mentorship and after-school programming.

Crisis Services: The Wichita Children's Home received $74,500 for emergency care services, and the Wichita Family Crisis Center received support for domestic violence services, reflecting the foundation's attention to vulnerable populations.

Geographic Expansion: The foundation's 2024 grantmaking included recipients in Nevada and expanded its multi-state footprint, potentially signaling evolving family interests or connections to national organizations. The foundation now regularly supports causes across Kansas, Florida, Nevada, DC, Georgia, and Oklahoma.

The foundation continues to accept new applicants and maintains an open (if selective) posture toward unsolicited requests, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.

## Application Tips for Grant Seekers

1. Submit a Formal Grant Request Form. The Lair Foundation requires completion of a grant request form as the primary application mechanism. Since there is no publicly available online application portal, prospective applicants should contact the foundation directly at 316-684-7102 to request the current form and submission guidelines.

2. Align with Core Focus Areas. The strongest applications will demonstrate clear alignment with the foundation's established priorities: education and higher learning (especially connected to Wichita State University or Kansas institutions), youth services and early childhood intervention, veteran and military family support, or domestic violence and crisis services. Proposals outside these areas face significantly longer odds given the 12% new applicant success rate.

3. Be a Wichita or Kansas-Based Organization. While the foundation makes occasional grants nationally, the overwhelming majority of funding stays in the Wichita metro area and Kansas. Local organizations with demonstrated community impact will have a natural advantage. If you are based outside Kansas, articulate a clear connection to the Lair family's interests or geographic ties.

4. Request an Appropriate Amount. The median grant is approximately $15,000, with most awards falling between $1,500 and $75,000. Only anchor institutional partners (like WSU) receive six-figure grants. New applicants should consider requesting in the $5,000–$25,000 range for an initial grant, with the potential to build toward larger awards over time as the relationship develops.

5. Emphasize Direct Service Impact. The foundation's portfolio strongly favors organizations providing direct services to people — children in after-school programs, families in crisis, veterans transitioning to civilian life — rather than advocacy, research, or capacity-building. Quantify the number of people served and the tangible outcomes your program delivers.

6. Timing and Patience. The foundation does not publish formal deadlines, suggesting a rolling review process. However, with only 12–21 grants made annually, the pipeline is selective. Submit your request well in advance of your funding need and be prepared for a relationship-building process rather than a transactional grant cycle. Follow up politely if you do not hear back within 60–90 days.