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The Research Foundation

EIN 43-1349021 · Kansas City, MO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION INVESTS IN HEALTH-CENTERED PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT BENEFIT HEALTH CARE STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS, PATIENTS, AND PEOPLE IN THE KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 80%
Employees
8
Volunteers
144
Highest pay
$325,288, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 58% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 105% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $1.4 million spent. THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION'S MAIN PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SUPPORTING HEALTH CARE STUDENTS, NURSING STUDENTS AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, PATIENTS, AND THE KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)HEALTHCARE STUDENTS:SCHOLARSHIPS WERE PROVIDED TO 80 UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS AND ACCELERATED NURSING STUDENTS WHO ATTEND RESEARCH COLLEGE OF NURSING, AVILA UNIVERSITY, AND WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE.SCHOLARSHIPS WERE PROVIDED TO 20 STUDENTS STUDYING RADIOLOGY TECHNOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE, OR RADIATION THERAPY. SCHOLARSHIPS WERE PROVIDED TO 37 STUDENTS IN THE DOCTORAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS AT ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, AND UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS. SCHOLARSHIPS WERE PROVIDED TO 8 AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ATTEND EXPLORE RCON, A 3-DAY IMMERSIVE NURSING EXPERIENCE. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EXPLORE THE FIELD OF NURSING AS A POTENTIAL FUTURE CAREER.OTHER SUPPORT FOR NURSING STUDENTS:THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION SPONSORED WHITECOATS/COMMITMENT COATS FOR NURSING STUDENTS AT RESEARCH COLLEGE OF NURSING, AVILA UNIVERSITY AND WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE TO CELEBRATE THEIR ENTRANCE INTO THE NURSING PROFESSION. THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION PROVIDED SUPPORT THROUGH THE NURSING STUDENT EMERGENCY FUND TO 16 NURSING STUDENTS. THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO HELP STUDENTS WHO NEED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD, TRANSPORTATION TO CLINICALS, AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS. FUNDS WERE ALSO PROVIDED TO AVILA UNIVERSITY AND WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE NURSING PROGRAMS TO PURCHASE CARDIAC INSTRUCTIONAL SIMULATION EQUIPMENT FOR THE EDUCATION OF NURSING STUDENTS IN THE CLINICAL SETTING.HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS:NURSING FACULTY AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS - AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS WERE PROVIDED FOR NURSING FACULTY MEMBERS AT RESEARCH COLLEGE OF NURSING, AVILA UNIVERSITY, AND WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE WHO ARE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING EFFORTS EDUCATING STUDENTS. ADDITIONAL AWARDS ARE PROVIDED FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE, SCHOLARLY ACHIEVEMENT, OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND THE DR. NANCY DEBASIO FACULTY LEADERSHIP.DOCTORAL STUDY SCHOLARSHIPS - THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ENHANCE THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF DOCTORAL PREPARED NURSE EDUCATORS IN THE GREATER KANSAS CITY AREA THROUGH THE FUNDING OF DOCTORAL STUDY FOR INDIVIDUALS PURSUING A PHD/DNP/EDD/DNE.CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR FACULTY - THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ENCOURAGE CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR NURSING FACULTY.FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS - THESE GRANTS ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE FACULTY DEVELOPMENT BY ENHANCING THE FACULTY MEMBER'S RESEARCH AND/OR SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING THROUGH A STIPEND, WHICH FUNDS SHORT-TERM RESEARCH PROJECTS.CONTINUING EDUCATION AWARDS TO HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AT REGIONAL HOSPITALS ARE AWARDED ANNUALLY. TWO RESEARCH MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES RECEIVED THE HAL M. QUINN EXCELLENCE IN NURSING AWARD AND THE KATHY DEGRANDE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE. A DIFFERENT HOSPITAL IS SELECTED EACH YEAR TO AWARD EMPLOYEES.CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION - THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION COORDINATED AND SPONSORED TWO FULL-DAY CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION SYMPOSIUMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ED BIXBY INSTITUTE FOR POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND KC SOUTHWEST CLINICAL SOCIETY. THE SYMPOSIUMS FOCUSED ON TIME CRITICAL DIAGNOSIS AND PRIMARY CARE. BOTH WERE ATTENDED BY PHYSICIANS, NURSES AND ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER KANSAS CITY METRO AND SURROUNDING AREAS.PATIENTS:VERDA'S PLACE - THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION COLLABORATES WITH BRA COUTURE KC TO PROVIDE VERDA'S PLACE, AN APPEARANCE CENTER FOR UNINSURED AND UNDERSERVED CANCER PATIENTS IN THE KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY. LOCATED IN THE SARAH CANNON CANCER CENTER AT RESEARCH MEDICAL CENTER, VERDA'S PLACE PROVIDED WIGS, HATS, SCARVES, LYMPHEDEMA SLEEVES, BRAS, PROSTHETICS, AND OTHER ITEMS FOR CANCER PATIENTS. SUPPORT WAS ALSO PROVIDED FOR UTILITIES, FOOD CARDS, MEDICATIONS, AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR PATIENTS. 54 LOW-INCOME CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE. DR. KELLEY YOUNG MEMORIAL FUND - FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ONCOLOGIST DR. KELLEY YOUNG ESTABLISHED THE DR. KELLEY YOUNG MEMORIAL FUND TO FURTHER EXPAND SUPPORT FOR LOW-INCOME CANCER PATIENTS IN NEED. 39 LOW-INCOME CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE.HAPPY BOTTOMS - THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH HAPPY BOTTOMS TO ADDRESS DIAPER NEEDS AMONG LOW-INCOME MOTHERS AND BABIES AT RESEARCH MEDICAL CENTER. A TOTAL OF 362 NEWBORNS WERE SUPPORTED WITH DIAPERS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY:THINKFIRST OF GREATER KANSAS CITY - THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION SERVES AS THE KANSAS CITY CHAPTER FOR THINKFIRST, A NATIONAL, AWARD-WINNING INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAM THAT TEACHES YOUTH, GRADES K-12, HOW TO AVOID TRAUMATIC BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD INJURIES THROUGH A FREE SCHOOL-BASED ASSEMBLY. THE PROGRAM IS DELIVERED BY SPEAKERS WHO HAVE ALREADY SUSTAINED A BRAIN OR SPINAL CORD INJURY. THROUGH THEIR MOVING TESTIMONY, THEY SUPPLY YOUNG ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH VALUABLE INFORMATION ABOUT SEAT BELT SAFETY, SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES SUCH AS NOT DRIVING DISTRACTED, HELMET USE, PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY, PREVENTING DIVING INJURIES, AND AVOIDING GUNS AND VIOLENCE. THE KANSAS CITY CHAPTER SERVES CLAY, PLATTE, JACKSON AND CASS COUNTIES IN MISSOURI, AND JOHNSON AND WYANDOTTE COUNTIES IN KANSAS. A TOTAL OF 99 PROGRAMS WERE HELD, REACHING 20,975 YOUTH IN THE GREATER KANSAS CITY AREA DURING THE 2023/2024 SCHOOL YEAR. YOUNG TRAFFIC OFFENDERS PROGRAM - THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION COORDINATES THE YOUNG TRAFFIC OFFENDERS PROGRAM (YTOP). THIS PROGRAM OFFERS JUDGES A WAY TO DETER YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SPEEDING, DRUNKEN DRIVING, INATTENTIVE DRIVING BEHAVIORS AND OTHER RELATED DRIVING OFFENSES. DURING THE COURT ORDERED YTOP PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS FOLLOWED THE PATH THEY WOULD TAKE AFTER BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CAR CRASH. A TOTAL OF 819 YOUNG DRIVERS ATTENDED YTOP. EMPLOYEES CONTRIBUTING TO HELP OTHERS OR ECHO PROVIDES SUPPORT TO RESEARCH MEDICAL CENTER EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FINANCIAL NEED DUE TO AN ILLNESS, NATURAL DISASTER, DISABILI
  2. $1.2 million spent. COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM:THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT ALLOWED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO APPLY FOR GRANT SUPPORT. THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOCUSED ITS GRANTS ON ORGANIZATIONS WITH HEALTH-CENTERED MISSIONS THAT PRIMARILY SERVE RESIDENTS IN JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI, PRIORITIZING URBAN KANSAS CITY. THE GRANTS SUPPORTED PROGRAMS THAT EXPAND ACCESS TO CARE, PROMOTE HEALTH EQUITY, AND ENGAGE STUDENTS IN HEALTH CARE CAREERS. A TOTAL OF 32 AGENCIES WERE SELECTED FOR $1,195,100 IN GRANTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.