Investing In Tomorrow | Capitol Federal's Impact On Kansas Communities
By KIM GRONNIGER
In 1999, Capitol Federal made a decision that changed how it gives back to the region. The Topeka-based bank, founded in 1893, transitioned from a mutual savings bank owned by its customers to a stock savings bank, creating an opportunity to start a nonprofit foundation.
The Capitol Federal Foundation was started in April 1999 with $30 million—half in company stock, half in cash. The foundation committed to giving 5% of its total assets annually to community needs in regions where the bank operated. Capitol Federal added another $40 million in 2010, and as of September 2025, the foundation was valued at $93 million.
Over the past 26 years, the foundation has given $101 million to Kansas communities. Today, it gives about $4 million annually to nonprofits, compared to $330,000 under its previous charter.
“The $93 million in our foundation today will give us about $4.6 million in a rolling 13-month period to contribute to the communities we serve,” said CEO John B. Dicus. “We’re doing about 14 times more than we did before and it’s been a lot of fun to watch the evolution and the results.”
The company focuses on higher education, affordable housing, supporting the United Way and contributing to quality-of-life community projects like zoos and public libraries.
A LEGACY OF GENEROSITY
Employee involvement in charitable giving started when Henry Bubb and Jack Dicus, John’s grandfather and father, respectively, led the business.
John, a third-generation graduate of the University of Kansas School of Business, said, “I picked up on their generosity at an early age and saw how doing things for people who are less fortunate can really make a difference in their lives. They both had a hand in creating our company culture, always involved in chairing committees and giving back to the community as a whole.”
The foundation, led by President Tammy Dishman, has a board of trustees and a volunteer employee committee that selects four causes to support each year in addition to the company’s other commitments.
“United Way is always on their list,” said John. “Whatever organizations the committee picks, there are fun activities, food and jeans days to bring everyone together and raise money. Our employees are great at that.”
“Henry and Jack’s legacy continues because our employees love being involved,” Tammy said.
DECADES OF PARTNERSHIP
Capitol Federal’s support of the United Way goes back decades. John served as the Shawnee County campaign chair in 1997.
“Back then, the United Way had citizen review panels that would interview the agencies to determine how funds would be allocated. Our employees were involved in that process,” he said. “We knew then and still know now that the dollars given to the United Way will be looked after like we would want them to be.”
INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION
In March 2020, John and Tammy discussed how they could help people during the pandemic and made a $700,000 gift to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka.
“The schools were closed and kids relied on the meals they provided,” John said. “Our gift gave them three meals a day, learning materials so they wouldn’t fall behind in school, and a food pantry for their families.”
Education is a priority for John. Employees have helped first- and second-grade students at Highland Park Central Elementary School with reading and math skills for almost three decades.“
Three years ago, one of our scholarship recipients at Emporia State University was also one of the students our team mentored at Highland Park Central,” John said. “You never know when something will come full circle.”
Those full-circle moments, he adds, benefit the business as much as they do the people.
“Prospective employees and customers see what we’re doing in the community and want to be part of it,” John said. “The foundation gets recognized for giving back to the community and that, in turn, drives business to us, which further enhances the foundation’s value so we can do even more.”
The foundation has provided approximately 1,300 scholarships to students attending Washburn University, the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Emporia State University and Johnson County Community College.
“Once each school year, Tammy and I meet the students for a breakfast, lunch or drop-in coffee opportunity so they can join us at their convenience,” John said. “They’re always so grateful and fun to talk to. It’s a highlight for us and our commitment has generational impact for Kansas students and potentially our own workforce.”
Capitol Federal has also invested in university buildings and programs, including Washburn University’s Lee Arena and Capitol Federal Hall at the University of Kansas School of Business.
Having a large foundation could discourage other organizations from giving to the same causes, but John says there are plenty of opportunities for involvement.
“It takes all of us to make things happen, but sometimes it takes a lead gift to inspire others to take a project over the finish line,” he said, using Capitol Federal Hall as an example. “Investing $20 million in the KU School of Business and endowing professorships goes back to our commitment to focusing on the next generation. Renovating the school had been under discussion for years and after we made our gift in 2012, we heard from several people, including faculty, alumni and supporters, that for the first time they really believed the project would happen. When others are encouraged to step up, a project can succeed.”
The facility opened in 2016.
BUILDING DOWNTOWN TOGETHER
In 2010, Capitol Federal gave its downtown headquarters a $20 million upgrade, which sparked a conversation about downtown Topeka’s future.
“A vibrant downtown is important to every city, and we struggled with ours for several years,” John said. “There were a lot of different ideas about what to do and how to do it. Changing up our building reinforced that our downtown was worth investing in, and that private and public partnerships could move us forward.”
He pointed to Evergy Plaza’s creation, including the CapFed on 7th Stage, and pocket parks as examples of businesses working together with Downtown Topeka Inc. and Greater Topeka Partnership’s Momentum 2022 and Momentum 2027 efforts.
“Evergy Plaza has provided a great place for people to gather,” John said. He praised Advisors Excel cofounder Cody Foster for personally investing in additional downtown ventures like the Cyrus Hotel, The Pennant and the Iron Rail Brewing Co. to boost momentum and hometown pride.
Native Topekans and friends since fourth grade, John and Tammy share a love for the capital city, with fond memories of shopping downtown at Crosby Place, Pelletier’s and Macy’s. They also remember enjoying meals at Myron Green’s Cafeteria and Po’re Richards, a back-in-the-day mainstay for business lunches, family dinners and late-night college-student socializing.
“It was really sad to see it all change,” Tammy said. “Now it’s fun to watch the revival.”
MAKING A LASTING IMPACT
Capitol Federal is a major supporter of Washburn University, including its athletic programs and facilities.
“It’s a crown jewel,” John said. “We’re lucky to have a highly regarded anchor like Washburn in a city our size.”
The company’s donations range from modest sums to millions of dollars. Regardless of the size, John says the impact the donations have on people is what motivates the company to keep giving back.
Every year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Capitol Federal employees deliver meals to families recommended to the company by nonprofits.
This year, home office employees delivered meals to 40 households through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka. One recipient left a grateful voicemail that was shared with the volunteers.
“The voicemail made our day,” John said. “Creating joy not just at the holidays but throughout the year for people who need it the most is gratifying and reinforces why we established the foundation in the first place. We’re making a lasting impact.
