Private foundation · EIN 27-0122565 · Omaha, Nebraska · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Blue Stem Prairie 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: 37 grants paid, $150K total, median $1,000. 81% of grants stayed in Nebraska.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
37
$150K
Median grant
$1,000
Stays in NE
81%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$1.9M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Omaha Douglas Public Building CommiOmaha, NEunrestricted$83K
Ollie Webb CenterOmaha, NEThe art of imagination$10K
Planned ParenthoodOmaha, NEunrestricted$10K
Film StreamsOmaha, NEunrestricted$5,000
Omaha Public LibraryOmaha, NEunrestricted$5,000
Foodbank for the HeartlandOmaha, NEUnrestricted$5,000
Learning for AllOmaha, NEunrestricted$4,000
Joslyn Castle TrustOmaha, NEunrestricted$3,000
Take Flight FarmsOmaha, NEunrestricted$3,000
Nebraska AppleseedLincoln, NEunrestricted$2,500
ACLU FoundationLincoln, NEUnrestricted$2,000
Lauritzen GardensOmaha, NEunrestricted$2,000
American Red CrossOmaha, NEunrestricted$1,000
Durham MuseumOmaha, NEunrestricted$1,000
Kvno RadioOmaha, NEunrestricted$1,000
Loveland Garden ClubOmaha, NEunrestricted$1,000
NetvLincoln, NEunrestricted$1,000
Wounded WarriorsOmaha, NEUnrestricted$1,000
Metropolitan Community College FounOmaha, NEUnrestricted$1,000
Omaha Park FoundationOmaha, NEUnrestricted$1,000
The Nature Conservancy NebraskaOmaha, NEunrestricted$1,000
Child Saving InstituteOmaha, NEunrestricted$500
Girls IncOmaha, NEunrestricted$500
Junior League of Omaha FoundationOmaha, NEunrestricted$500
Nebraska Humanities CouncilLincoln, NEunrestricted$500
Union for Contemporary ArtOmaha, NEunrestricted$500
Holland Childrens InstituteOmaha, NEunrestricted$500
Boys Girls ClubOmaha, NEUnrestricted$500
Cathedral Arts ProjectOmaha, NEUnrestricted$500
Muddy Paws Second Chance RescueCouncil Bluffs, IAunrestricted$500
Wnyc Public RadioNew York, NYunrestricted$300
Omaha Public Schools FoundationOmaha, NEunrestricted$300
American Museum of Natural HistoryNew York, NYunrestricted$250
Wnet Public BroadcastingNew York, NYunrestricted$250
Central Park ConservancyNew York, NYUnrestricted$250
Bronx Botanical GardenBronx, NYUnrestricted$250
Friends of Iowa PBS FoundationJohnston, IAUnrestricted$180

By state: Nebraska 30 · New York 5 · Iowa 2

About this foundation

Blue Stem Prairie Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Omaha, Nebraska, administered in care of W L Thoms, 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.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Blue Stem Prairie 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 Blue Stem Prairie Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $150K across 37 grants, a median of $1,000.

Where does Blue Stem Prairie Foundation give?

Nebraska (30 grants), New York (5 grants), Iowa (2 grants), 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
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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
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