Private foundation · EIN 20-1768874 · Omaha, Nebraska · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Buffett Early Childhood Fund

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 42 grants paid, $33M total, median $200K. 43% of grants stayed in Nebraska.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
42
$33M
Median grant
$200K
Stays in NE
43%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$8.0M

Grants paid in 2025

42 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Nebraska Children & Families FoundationLincoln, NEFirst five nebraska operating support, rooted in relationships, communities 4 kids, outdoor space exploration, data project, and changemake…$4.0M
Nebraska Early Childhood CollaborativeOmaha, NEGeneral operating support 2025$4.0M
Start EarlyChicago, ILEducare learning network support, first five years fund and project support, and annual luncheon support$3.7M
Educare of Omaha IncOmaha, NEQuality early childhood program operating support$3.7M
Early Childhood Impact GroupOmaha, NEEducare learning network program support$3.6M
Alliance for Early SuccessWashington, DCState based early childhood education support$3.0M
Educare of LincolnLincoln, NEQuality early childhood program operating support$2.2M
Early Futures PartnershipLincoln, NEGeneral operations support$1.8M
President & Fellows of Harvard CollegeCambridge, MACenter for the developing child operating support$1.0M
TsneBoston, MAEcfc raising child care fund, eeic support, build conference sponsorship, rje program support$860K
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NCFrank porter graham child development - eln evaluation$773K
Educare of Washington DCWashington, DCQuality early childhood program operating support$712K
Project Harmony Child Advocacy CenterOmaha, NEImpact from infancy project support, annual luncheon support$499K
Next Door Foundation IncMilwaukee, WIEducare milwaukee quality early childhood program support$425K
Teachers College Columbia UniversityNew York, NYEcpihe project support$300K
University of Nebraska FoundationLincoln, NEDebra wisneski scholarship support, uno cehhs ec inclusive fund$275K
Impacting Futures IncInglewood, CAGeneral operations support$250K
Vanderbilt University Peabody CollegeNashville, TNPn-3 project support$250K
Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children IncLincoln, NERespect apprenticeship project support$243K
Comic Relief IncNew York, NYRed nose day matching grant$200K
Lincoln Community FoundationLincoln, NELincoln littles program support$200K
Ncsl Foundation for State LegislaturesDenver, COChild care policy project support$200K
University of Nebraska Board of RegentsLincoln, NEEducare of lincoln evaluation$194K
University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmaha, NEKidsight project support, strategic advisor support$157K
Northern Illinois University FoundationDekalb, ILCenter for early learning funding equity general operations support$150K
Esu 3 Educational FoundationLA Vista, NENebraska child development associate navigator project support$130K
Before RacismSt Paul, MNYoung hearts, open minds program support$100K
Health Federation of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PALa, ca wildfires emergency support$100K
Institute for Child Success IncGreenville, SCStrong nation project support$100K
Partnership 4 KidsOmaha, NEBook buddy program support$90K
Let's Grow KidsMiddlebury, VTSharing vermont's progress project support$85K
Greater Omaha Chamber FoundationOmaha, NEChildcare initiatives project support$40K
Ashland Greenwood Public Schools FoundationAshland, NEEarly childhood internship pilot project support$10K
Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs IncCalabasas, CAOpportunities exchange project support$10K
Belmont Community CenterLincoln, NERedevelopment plan project support$5,000
Erikson InstituteChicago, ILAnnual luncheon support$2,500
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors IncNew York, NYEcloc general support$2,500
Voices for Children in NebraskaOmaha, NERaise your voice 2025 support$2,500
Springfield Operations Ecs IncSpringfield, MAEducare springfield genreral operations support$2,000
Educare of West DupageWest Chicago, ILGeneral operations support$1,000
Foundation for FarmworkersRaleigh, NCGeneral operations support$600
Center for Law and Social PolicyWashington, DCGeneral operations support$300

By state: Nebraska 18 · Illinois 4 · District of Columbia 3 · Massachusetts 3 · North Carolina 2 · New York 3

About this foundation

Buffett Early Childhood Fund is a private grantmaking foundation in Omaha, Nebraska, administered in care of Kjessie Rasmussen, tax-exempt since 2005. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

Foundation websiteAll filings on ProPublica

Does Buffett Early Childhood Fund accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Buffett Early Childhood Fund give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $33M across 42 grants, a median of $200K.

Where does Buffett Early Childhood Fund give?

Nebraska (18 grants), Illinois (4 grants), District of Columbia (3 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Omaha that accept applications

All in Nebraska
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundationsince 1964 Omaha, NE $1.5B417 grants · 2025 $603KPreselected only $2.3B
Sherwood Foundationsince 1999 Omaha, NE $296M790 grants · 2025 $90KPreselected only $460M
Walter Scott Family Foundationsince 2014 Omaha, NE $46M78 grants · 2024 $50KPreselected only $2.2B
Eagle Foundationsince 1994 Omaha, NE $41M65 grants · 2024 $200KPreselected only $599M
Robert B Daugherty Foundationsince 1991 Omaha, NE $38M120 grants · 2024 $78KYes $793M
The Lozier Foundationsince 1987 Omaha, NE $49M450 grants · 2024 $38KPreselected only $525M
Peter Kiewit Foundationsince 1996 Omaha, NE $29M160 grants · 2024 $50KPreselected only $478M
The Hawks Foundationsince 2005 Omaha, NE $33M141 grants · 2024 $40KYes $516M
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