Joy Meadows tells committee it was denied state sales tax exemption after 2018 and 2024 applications

Joy Meadows, a nonprofit operator of residential and community support campuses for foster families and children, told the Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee that the group applied for a state sales tax exemption in 2018 and again in 2024 and was denied both times.

"We're coming before you because we were denied starting in 2018 on a tax exemption," Justin Oberndorfer, identified in the meeting as CEO of Joy Meadows, said. "We applied again many years later in 2024, and it was denied again."

Joy Meadows described a mix of services run from its Linwood campus, including therapy and equine therapy, monthly family support events and church-based training to help retain foster families. Oberndorfer told the committee the organization operates a primary campus on about 68 acres, has a secondary campus planned in Wyandotte County of roughly 100 acres, recorded more than 7,000 interactions with children and families last year and logged nearly 8,000 volunteer hours at the Linwood property.

The organization said it partners with churches and local agencies to prevent isolation among foster families and increase retention. "The families that are supported by our care communities, our church network, they continue to foster after 3 years. 93 percent after 3 years are still retained as foster families," Oberndorfer said.

Committee members asked for clarification about the tax issue. "So what sort of tax is that?" Representative Humphreys asked; Oberndorfer answered that the application was for a state sales tax exemption.

Oberndorfer compared Joy Meadows' activities to categories listed in the state's exemption statute, pointing to community-service, volunteer and child-focused organizations that receive similar treatment. He said Joy Meadows is not a school or church but provides services that support the foster-care system statewide and asked legislators and advocates to consider whether the organization's activities should qualify for the exemption.

The presentation did not result in a committee decision; Oberndorfer asked for advocacy and further review of the exemption criteria.

Committee members thanked the presenters and noted the organization’s geographic reach and reported outcomes; no formal motion or vote on the tax-exemption request was recorded during the session.