Learn about grants to nonprofits in Nebraska by browsing our curated list of top Nebraska funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities in Nebraska using the search tool available on Grant Finder. Become a member.
Giving Trends in Nebraska
Nebraska, located in the Midwest U.S., is one of the nation’s major food producers, while insurance reflects another major Nebraska industry, centered in Omaha. Nebraska is also home to the famed Warren Buffett. About 1,900 grantmakers collectively gave around $1.5 billion in grants for Nebraska in 2019, according to Candid data.
While there is not a statewide grantmakers association in Nebraska, several groups bring together Nebraska funders to network, learn, and advance philanthropy in the state. These include the Nebraska Community Foundation, which links together a network of locally focused funds that make grants for Nebraska communities; the Philanthropy Council of Northeast Nebraska; and Women Investing in Nebraska. Priorities for Nebraska grants include education, health, and human services.
Nebraska’s top funders are a mix of private, family, community, and corporate foundations. Leading funders of grants for Nebraska include the Sherwood Foundation, Omaha Community Foundation, Suzanne and Walter Scott Family Foundation, Robert V. Daugherty Foundation, Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Holland Foundation, Lincoln Community Foundation, William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation, Lozier Foundation, Nebraska Community Foundation, Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Acklie Charitable Foundation, Weitz Family Foundation, Leland and Dorothy H. Olson Charitable Foundation, and the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
Foundations in Nebraska
AMERITAS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Ameritas Charitable Foundation supports higher education, community wellbeing, arts and culture, sports and family programs in Nebraska.
THOMAS D. BUCKLEY TRUST
The Thomas D. Buckley Trust supports education, religion and community in Nebraska and Colorado.
COOPER FOUNDATION
The Cooper Foundation supports education, human services, arts, humanities, environment and community improvement in Nebraska.
GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Grand Island Community Foundation supports arts and culture, basic needs, children and youth, community enrichment, community health and education in Nebraska.
HAMILTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Hamilton Community Foundation supports education, human services, arts and culture, health and other community needs in Nebraska.
HARPER FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Harper Family Foundation supports education, social services, religious causes, health, youth, and civic projects in Omaha, Nebraska and beyond.
HASTINGS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Hastings Community Foundation supports education, human services, youth, arts and culture and other community needs in Nebraska.
HDR FOUNDATION
The HDR Foundation supports education, health and the environment in Nebraska and other areas where the HDR company operates.
I BE BLACK GIRL
I Be Black Girl is a local women’s giving circle that supports the development of Black women and girls in the Omaha, Nebraska metro area.
IOWA WEST FOUNDATION
The Iowa West Foundation supports economic development, education, healthy families, and place-making in 18 counties in Southwest Iowa and Eastern Nebraska.
KEARNEY AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Kearney Area Community Foundation supports arts and culture, civic and community, economic development, education, health, human services, recreation, and non-denominational religion in the Kearney region of Nebraska.
PETER KIEWIT FOUNDATION
The Peter Kiewit Foundation supports youth, economic growth and opportunity, and thriving communities in Nebraska.
LEXINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Lexington Community Foundation supports education, health, arts and culture, recreation, human services, non-denominational religion and community and civic life in Nebraska.
LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Lincoln Community Foundation supports arts and culture, community improvement, education, youth, environment, animals, health and human services.
LOZIER FOUNDATION
The Lozier Foundation focuses on education, social services and issues involving women and children with an emphasis on the inner city and underrepresented populations.
MERRICK FOUNDATION
The Merrick Foundation supports culture, education, social needs, health, civic causes, environment, recreation and developmental needs in Nebraska.
MID-NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation supports education, health, community development, culture, environment and human services in Nebraska.
MUTUAL OF OMAHA FOUNDATION
The Mutual of Omaha Foundation supports basic needs, adult self-sufficiency, and at-risk youth in Nebraska and other regions of interest.
NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Nebraska Community Foundation supports capacity building, economic development, community needs in Nebraska.
The Omaha Community Foundation supports neighborhoods, equity, education, natural sciences, health, capacity building, arts and culture, economic opportunity, transportation, and vibrant communities in the Omaha region of Nebraska.
OREGON TRAIL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Oregon Trail Community Foundation supports education, wildlife preservation, historical landmarks, the arts, healthcare and scientific research in Nebraska and Wyoming.
E.M. PARSEN CHARITABLE TRUST
The E.M. Parsen Charitable Trust supports human services, health and children and youth in Nebraska.
PHELPS COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Phelps County Community Foundation supports education, culture, recreation, health, human services and civic opportunities in Phelps County, Nebraska.
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP FOUNDATION
The Principal Financial Group Foundation supports financial security, education, arts and culture, recreation, and disaster relief in portions of Iowa and Nebraska.
UNION PACIFIC FOUNDATION
The Union Pacific Foundation supports safety, workforce development, community spaces, and local needs in Nebraska and elsewhere in the U.S.
EDGAR AND FRANCES REYNOLDS FOUNDATION
The Edgar and Frances Reynolds Foundation supports human services, health, education and community development in Nebraska.
ROBERT HERMAN STORZ FOUNDATION
The Robert Herman Storz Foundation supports human services, education, arts and culture, broadcasting and journalism, children and youth and animal welfare in Nebraska.
WOODS CHARITABLE FUND
The Woods Charitable Fund supports arts, culture, civic efforts, community needs, education and human services in Nebraska.
