Foundations that fund organizations in Columbus, Nebraska
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Columbus nonprofits
26 private foundations gave $2.9M to Columbus organizations in their latest filings; 7 of the 26 that say either way accept applications.
41 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Columbus around $10K. 15 of these funders are based in Nebraska; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 26
- Accept applications
- 7
- of 26 that state a policy
- Dollars to Columbus
- $2.9M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 41
- Typical median grant
- $10K
- Based in NE
- 58%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Columbus organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Sherwood Foundation | Omaha, NE | 7 | $945K | $150K | Preselected only | 2026 operating grant; 2025 operating grant; Capital campaign |
| Merlin & Lynita Gehring Foundation | Columbus, NE | 1 | $944K | $944K | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Peter Kiewit Foundation | Omaha, NE | 2 | $300K | $150K | Preselected only | To provide capital support for the new Columbus Area Childr…; To provide additional capital support for the Columbus Area… |
| Weitz Family Foundation | Omaha, NE | 1 | $223K | $223K | Preselected only | General operating |
| The Raimondo Behlen Foundation | Columbus, NE | 2 | $105K | $52K | Preselected only | Educational Support Health and Wellness for the community; Educational Support |
| Leo J Dowd Foundation Inc | Columbus, NE | 1 | $80K | $80K | Preselected only | Charitable contribution |
| The Dorothy B Davis Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $75K | $75K | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| Pillen Family Foundation | Columbus, NE | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | General budget |
| Jbh Foundation | Heber Springs, AR | 3 | $45K | $10K | Preselected only | Provide food and gifts for those meeting financial need; Provide food funding for homeless residing in shelter; Youth summer program, new parents support, suicide preventi… |
| The Mundt Foundation | Geneva, NE | 2 | $45K | $23K | Preselected only | Exempt purposes |
| Watley Charitable Foundation | Yutan, NE | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | Replacement window project |
| The Terri & Verne Holoubek Family Foundation Inc | Hartford, WI | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | Support for community hospital |
| Leonard Marolf Charitable Remainder Trust | Columbus, NE | 2 | $16K | $8,000 | Preselected only | Crm banquet match; Strong kids/pawnee camp |
| Leroy Thom Jean Thom and T-L Foundation | Hastings, NE | 1 | $15K | $15K | Yes | childhood cancer research |
| The Ethel S Abbott Charitable Foundation | Ralston, NE | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Programming grant |
| Union Pacific Foundation | Omaha, NE | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | Community & economic development |
| David Novak Leadership Inc C/O Cornerstone Family Office | Mayfield Heights, OH | 2 | $6,500 | $3,250 | Yes | Leadership |
| Paideia Foundation | Scottsdale, AZ | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General support |
| James M Cox Foundation | Eagan, MN | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Yes | Scholarship |
| First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation Inc | Billings, MT | 2 | $3,500 | $1,750 | Yes | General Operating Support; Neighbors Feeding Neighbors |
| Nowak Family Charitable Foundation | Valley, NE | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | General |
| Raymond L and Rita M Metzner Charitable Foundation | Osceola, NE | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Preselected only | Religious ministry to aid homeless |
| Land O'Lakes Foundation | St Paul, MN | 1 | $750 | $750 | Yes | Member co-op matches |
| Catholic Order of Foresters Welfare and Relief Fund | Naperville, IL | 1 | $500 | $500 | Preselected only | Religious |
| Tractor Supply Company Foundation | Brentwood, TN | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | Hometown heroes donation |
| National Association of Extension Program and Staff Development Prof | Stillwater, OK | 2 | $497 | $248 | Preselected only | Professional development or educational program support |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Columbus, Nebraska?
The Sherwood Foundation, Merlin & Lynita Gehring Foundation, Peter Kiewit Foundation, Weitz Family Foundation, The Raimondo Behlen Foundation and 21 others reported grants to Columbus organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Columbus. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.