The sale’s profits ($265 million) were used to fund two organizations focused on improving health in Kansas:[4][6] Over the years, the foundation has helped start the:[4] The KHF has partnered with over 40 other Kansas community foundations, organizations and programs, largely to help fund and promote health and wellness improvement efforts throughout the state.
Partnering with the state's largest advertising agency, Sullivan, Higdon, Sink, the KHF developed the "Take It Outside" campaign to urge adults to avoid smoking in homes and buildings where children are present.
[8] The KHF later became heavily involved with Kansas state government, and universities, and local governments in Kansas—particularly through the joint Kansas Public Health Workforce Development Coordinating Council —to fund, develop and coordinate public health workforce training through various educational methodologies, delivery methods and opportunities.
[2] The foundation is led by President and CEO Steve Coen[4] and Board of Director Chairwoman Commissioner Shelly Buhler.
Citing the website America’s Health Rankings (an annual report published by major philanthropic organizations and health groups), the KHF concedes that Kansas fell from the 8th to the 27th healthiest state in the country, during the years 1991 through 2014, when KHF programs were well underway.
In 2013, the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that states spend $32.1 million annually on tobacco prevention, but Kansas was only funding such programs at $946,671 per year, despite collecting a combined $154.3 million in 2013 from the settlement and tobacco taxes.