Updated Oct 31, 2026
Private foundations based in Omaha, Nebraska
125 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, holding $13B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 17 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundationsince 1964 | $1.5B417 grants · 2025 | $603K | Preselected only | $2.3B |
| Sherwood Foundationsince 1999 | $296M790 grants · 2025 | $90K | Preselected only | $460M |
| The Lozier Foundationsince 1987 | $49M450 grants · 2024 | $38K | Preselected only | $437M |
| Walter Scott Family Foundationsince 2014 | $46M78 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $2.2B |
| Eagle Foundationsince 1994 | $41M65 grants · 2024 | $200K | Preselected only | $599M |
| Charles and Mary Heider Family Foundationsince 1999 | $40M149 grants · 2025 | $18K | Preselected only | $245M |
| Holland Foundationsince 1997 | $39M40 grants · 2025 | $88K | Preselected only | $38M |
| Robert B Daugherty Foundationsince 1991 | $38M120 grants · 2024 | $78K | Yes | $793M |
| Filkins Family Foundationsince 1997 | $35M5 grants · 2025 | $1.1M | Preselected only | $113M |
| Buffett Early Childhood Fundsince 2005 | $33M42 grants · 2025 | $200K | Preselected only | $8.0M |
| The Hawks Foundationsince 2005 | $33M141 grants · 2024 | $40K | Yes | $413M |
| Peter Kiewit Foundationsince 1996 | $29M160 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $467M |
| Weitz Family Foundationsince 2001 | $19M171 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $20M |
| Friedland Family Foundationsince 1985 | $16M14 grants · 2025 | $5,500 | Preselected only | $6.4M |
| Herbert J Lavigne Family Foundationsince 2002 | $14M7 grants · 2025 | $200K | Preselected only | $18M |
| Harper Family Foundationsince 1993 | $10M1 grants · 2024 | $10M | Preselected only | $169M |
| Leland J and Dorothy H Olson Charitable Fountationsince 1992 | $9.5M80 grants · 2024 | $47K | Yes | $51M |
| Claire M Hubbard Foundationsince 2005 | $7.9M3 grants · 2024 | $3.5M | Preselected only | $29M |
| John and Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundationsince 1974 | $7.0M28 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $86M |
| Richard Brooke Foundationsince 2015 | $6.7M66 grants · 2025 | $80K | Preselected only | $35M |
| Edward and Sally@malashock Family Foundationsince 2017 | $5.8M1 grants · 2024 | $5.8M | Preselected only | $84M |
| Mutual of Omaha Foundationsince 2005 | $5.6M137 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $113M |
| Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundationsince 2022 | $5.0M1 grants · 2025 | $5.0M | Yes | $50M |
| Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation Incsince 1959 | $4.6M31 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $19M |
| Midlands Diabetes Education and Self Help Centersince 1984 | $3.9M18 grants · 2025 | $15K | Preselected only | $26M |
| The Giving 3 Foundationsince 2009 | $3.6M34 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $93M |
| Kind World Foundationsince 1991 | $2.8M1 grants · 2024 | $2.8M | Yes | $6.0M |
| Debby Durham Family Foundationsince 2000 | $2.0M67 grants · 2025 | $20K | Preselected only | $28M |
| Marvin and Virgina Schmid Foundationsince 1996 | $1.9M2 grants · 2025 | $933K | Preselected only | $29M |
| Gilbert M & Martha H Hitchcock Foundationsince 1945 | $1.6M74 grants · 2025 | $15K | Yes | $14M |
| Carl and Caroline Swanson Foundation Incsince 1953 | $1.6M16 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $22M |
| Noel Barrett Shuler Foundationsince 2020 | $1.5M10 grants · 2025 | $75K | Yes | $23M |
| Sunny Durham Family Foundationsince 2000 | $1.5M22 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $20M |
| Rod Rhoden Foundationsince 2012 | $1.4M21 grants · 2025 | $7,500 | Yes | $26M |
| Doris Day and Terry Melcher Foundationsince 2016 | $1.3M11 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $27M |
| John K and Lynne D Boyer Foundationsince 2000 | $1.2M49 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $21M |
| Duffy Family Foundationsince 2007 | $1.2M3 grants · 2025 | $150K | Preselected only | $10M |
| Stephen F Dwyer Memorial Foundationsince 2015 | $1.1M15 grants · 2025 | $30K | Preselected only | $6.8M |
| G Robert Muchemore Foundation C/O Agnes B Muchemoresince 1997 | $1.1M4 grants · 2025 | $270K | Preselected only | $9.1M |
| Jim and Shirley Young Family Foundationsince 2012 | $905K18 grants · 2025 | $15K | Preselected only | $17M |
| Lawrence R & Jeannette James Foundationsince 1966 | $889K1 grants · 2024 | $889K | Yes | $26M |
| Physicians Mutual Insurance Company Foundationsince 1986 | $878K52 grants · 2024 | $750 | Preselected only | $6.2M |
| Miriam Lloyd Halsey Foundationsince 2017 | $873K50 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $12M |
| Joseph a Horwath Foundationsince 1998 | $805K17 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $7.6M |
| Kleinberg Family Foundationsince 2021 | $771K7 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $15M |
| Westchester Lane Foundationsince 2023 | $756K3 grants · 2025 | $250K | Preselected only | $8.4M |
| Allan & Ann Mactier Charitable Foundationsince 2014 | $686K53 grants · 2024 | $7,000 | Preselected only | $12M |
| Williams-Malone Foundation Incsince 2009 | $620K31 grants · 2025 | $15K | Preselected only | $11M |
| Sokolof Grandchildren Charitable Foundationsince 2005 | $567K13 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $10M |
| S N and Gloria Wolbach Charitable Foundationsince 2013 | $516K23 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $8.2M |
| Bernard K & Norma F Heuermann Foundationsince 1991 | $492K26 grants · 2024 | $6,000 | Yes | $11M |
| Hawkins Charitable Trustsince 1967 | $424K22 grants · 2025 | $15K | Yes | $7.0M |
| Virginia Pettengill Charitable Trustsince 2018 | $394K1 grants · 2025 | $394K | Preselected only | $6.7M |
| Webster Family Foundationsince 1999 | $354K34 grants · 2025 | $6,500 | Yes | $6.2M |
| Bill and Berniece Grewcock Foundationsince 1991 | $250K1 grants · 2025 | $250K | Preselected only | $7.3M |
| Cabela Family Foundationsince 2000 | $126K3 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $16M |
| H E L P Foundation of Omaha Incsince 1986 | $73K11 grants · 2023 | $5,000 | Yes | $15M |
| Clarkson Regional Health Services I NCsince 2026 | — | — | Not stated | $1.2B |
| Paula Friedland Boggust Foundationsince 2025 | — | — | Yes | $6.8M |
| Nebraska Vietnam Verernas Memorial Foundation Incsince 2019 | — | — | Preselected only | $6.5M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Nebraska
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Nebraska Arts Council — Organizational GrantsStateNebraska Arts Council | Nebraska Arts Council | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Humanities Nebraska — Humanities GrantsStateHumanities Nebraska | Humanities Nebraska | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Omaha, Nebraska?
Our directory lists 125 private grantmaking foundations in Omaha, Nebraska with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $13B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.