Thomas D. Buckley Trust

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OVERVIEW: The Thomas D. Buckley Trust supports education, religion and community in Nebraska and Colorado.

FUNDING AREAS: Education, religion, community

IP TAKE: This is an accessible Nebraska funder that has opportunities for funding every month, especially in the town of Chappell.

PROFILE: Established in 1979, the Thomas D. Buckley Trust is a private foundation based in Chappell, Nebraska. Buckley moved to Chappell in 1917 with his brothers and was in the military, worked on the railroad and was a farmer. Trustees sold Buckley’s land after his death for record-high prices and invested the proceeds to aid the foundation. The foundation aims to "provide resources for the needs of eligible, tax-exempt organizations in the communities in the Panhandle of Western Nebraska and in Northeastern Colorado.” It funds local efforts for education, religion and community.

The Thomas D. Buckley Trust has been gradually increasing its grant contributions each year. It has committed over $11 million to organizations in Chappell and over $1 million in several other communities. Grantmaking began in 1981. Past grants have gone towards building funds, capital funding, emergency funding, equipment, operating funds and seed funding. The funder does not provide support to individuals, legislation or elections or organizations that do not exhibit good financial management. In addition to grants, the foundation also awards continuing education scholarships to local students to pursue their college educations.

Grants range between about $10,000 and $100,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Western Nebraska and Northeastern Colorado. Over 60 percent of grants stay in the city of Chappell, while other grantees are based in Lodgepole, Big Springs, Sidney, Oshkosh and Julesburg. Past local grantees include the City of Chappell, Creek Valley Schools and various local churches.

This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits and shares its online application form on its website. Its trustees meet each month to review new requests, and they notify applicants in writing about whether their requests are approved or denied. Direct general questions to the staff at 308-874-2929 or via online form.

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