Key Takeaways
- The gift: The Kinder Foundation pledged a $25 million grant to the University of Missouri's Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, announced Nov. 3, 2026.
- Where it goes: The money goes to the institute's endowment, making it the largest endowment held at Mizzou, and brings the foundation's total investment in the institute to over $85 million.
- What changes: Starting in fall 2028, students in the institute's master's program in Atlantic history and politics can spend a year at Mizzou and a year at the University of Oxford, up from four weeks at Oxford now.
The Kinder Foundation, led by Rich and Nancy Kinder, pledged a $25 million grant to the University of Missouri's Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, the university announced on Nov. 3, 2026. The Kinder Foundation's $25 million goes to the institute's endowment and expands its partnership with the University of Oxford.
How the Kinder Foundation's $25 Million Expands Mizzou's Oxford Program
The grant goes to the Kinder Institute's endowment, making it the largest endowment held at Mizzou, according to the University of Missouri. Beginning in fall 2028, the institute's master's degree program in Atlantic history and politics will bring American and British students together for two years spanning both universities. The program now includes four weeks of study at Oxford and will expand to a full year at Mizzou and another at Oxford, through the institute's partnership with Oxford's Rothermere American Institute.
The grant is part of Power the Roar, Mizzou's $2 billion fundraising campaign. "The incredible commitment of Rich and Nancy Kinder reinforces Mizzou's reputation as an international leader in the study of constitutional democracy," University of Missouri President Mun Choi said. "American constitutional democracy has always been part of a wider Atlantic story," said Jay Sexton, the institute's director.
Kinder Foundation Grants to the Kinder Institute Since 2015
The Kinder Institute was founded in 2015 with support from the Kinder Foundation. The Columbia Missourian reports that the foundation gave the institute $25 million in 2015, $10 million in 2019 and $25 million in 2022. With the new grant, those four grants add up to $85 million, by WYDE's arithmetic, and the university puts the foundation's total investment in the institute at over $85 million.
Rich Kinder graduated from Mizzou in 1966 and received his law degree in 1968, the Missourian reports. He is chairman of the Kinder Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Houston, and Nancy Kinder is its president and chief executive officer. In 2011, the Kinders pledged to donate 95% of their wealth to charitable causes, the Missourian reports, citing the Giving Pledge. "We've long believed that understanding our nation's founding principles is essential to preparing future generations to lead," Rich Kinder said.
How Large the $25 Million Is for the Kinder Foundation
The $25 million pledge equals 36% of the $68.8 million the Kinder Foundation paid in charitable disbursements in 2025, according to its most recent Form 990-PF, and about 12% of its $213.3 million in total assets at the end of that year, by WYDE's arithmetic. The foundation reported $102.3 million in revenue for 2025, most of it $62.1 million in contributions. Against Mizzou's $2 billion Power the Roar goal, the grant is 1.25%. WYDE ranks the largest gifts to universities on its record page for U.S. universities.
People Also Ask
How much did the Kinder Foundation give to Mizzou?
The Kinder Foundation pledged a $25 million grant to the University of Missouri's Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, announced Nov. 3, 2026. The university says the Kinder Foundation's total investment in the Kinder Institute is now over $85 million.
What will the Kinder Foundation's $25 million fund?
The Kinder Foundation's $25 million goes to the Kinder Institute's endowment, which becomes the largest endowment held at Mizzou. It also expands the institute's partnership with the University of Oxford, so that starting in fall 2028 master's students can spend a year at Mizzou and a year at Oxford.
Who are Rich and Nancy Kinder?
Rich Kinder graduated from the University of Missouri in 1966 and is chairman of the Kinder Foundation, based in Houston. Nancy Kinder is the Kinder Foundation's president and chief executive officer. In 2011, Rich and Nancy Kinder pledged to donate 95% of their wealth to charitable causes, the Columbia Missourian reports, citing the Giving Pledge.
Sources: University of Missouri, Columbia Missourian, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.