Private foundation · EIN 23-7352686 · Omaha, Nebraska

John and Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation

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: 28 grants paid, $7.0M total, median $50K. 64% of grants stayed in Nebraska.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
28
$7.0M
Median grant
$50K
Stays in NE
64%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$86M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Lauritzen GardensOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$1.6M
Princeton University - Brl Professorship FundPrinceton, NJGeneral exempt purpose$1.0M
Project HealthOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$1.0M
Ducks Unlimited - Conservation for a ContinentGrand Island, NEGeneral exempt purpose$800K
Omaha Performing ArtsOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$600K
Westside Community Schools Impacting ExcellenceOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$400K
Behavioral Health and Wellness CemterOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$360K
Omaha Central LibraryOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$333K
Kiewit Discovery CenterOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$200K
Trinity CathedralOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$147K
Alexandria Junior Golf FoundationAlexandria, MNGeneral exempt purpose$75K
Boys and Girls Club of the MidlandsOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$75K
Westside FoundationOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$63K
Gallery 1516Omaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$50K
Willa Cather FoundationRed Cloud, NEGeneral exempt purpose$50K
Omaha Parks FoundationOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$50K
Aksarben FoundationOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$33K
St Andrews Episcopal Church - Kansas CityKansas City, MOGeneral exempt purpose$25K
Kansas School of Classical BalletOverland Park, KSGeneral exempt purpose$25K
Kauffman Center for the Performing ArtsKansas City, MOGeneral exempt purpose$25K
Nelson Atkins MuseumKansas City, MOGeneral exempt purpose$25K
Harvesters - the Community Food NetworkKansas City, MOGeneral exempt purpose$25K
Legacy of the Lakes MuseumAlexandria, MNGeneral exempt purpose$15K
Partnership for KidsOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$15K
United Way of the MidlandsOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$10K
Minnesouri Scholarship FoundationLeawood, KSGeneral exempt purpose$10K
Seal Family FoundatonCarlsbad, CAGeneral exempt purpose$5,000
Brownell Talbot SchoolOmaha, NEGeneral exempt purpose$5,000

By state: Nebraska 18 · New Jersey 1 · Missouri 4 · Minnesota 2 · Kansas 2 · California 1

About this foundation

John and Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Omaha, Nebraska, administered in care of Christina Kahler, tax-exempt since 1974. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does John and Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation 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 John and Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $7.0M across 28 grants, a median of $50K.

Where does John and Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation give?

Nebraska (18 grants), New Jersey (1 grants), Missouri (4 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
Peter Kiewit Foundationsince 1996 Omaha, NE $29M160 grants · 2024 $50KPreselected only $478M
Clarkson Regional Health Services I NCsince 2026 Omaha, NE — —Not stated $1.2B
The Lozier Foundationsince 1987 Omaha, NE $49M450 grants · 2024 $38KPreselected only $437M
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