Woods Charitable Fund
/OVERVIEW: The Woods Charitable Fund supports arts, culture, civic efforts, community needs, education and human services in Nebraska.
FUNDING AREAS: Arts and culture, civic and community, education, human services
IP TAKE: This is a Lincoln-centric foundation with broad interests and a straightforward grantmaking process for local groups.
PROFILE: Established in 1941, the Woods Charitable Fund is a private foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska and founded by Frank H. Woods, Nelle Cochrane Woods and their three sons. The family’s wealth derives from business interests in Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph and Sahara Coal Company. In 1993, the foundation underwent restructuring that created two separate foundations: one that operates in Lincoln and a second one focused on Chicago. The foundation aims to "strengthen the community by improving opportunities and life outcomes for all people in Lincoln, Nebraska.” It funds local efforts for arts and culture, civic and community needs, education and human services.
The Woods Charitable Fund supports both policy programs and direct services within its areas of focus. Arts and culture grants fund visual arts, literature, theater, music and dance, as well as connecting nontraditional participants with the arts and humanities. Civic and community grants support self-sufficiency, anti-poverty efforts, affordable housing, neighborhood strengthening and empowering low-income residents of Lincoln. Education grants support students at all levels, adults training for new jobs and immigrants learning English as a second language. Human services grants focus on the elderly, family planning, sheltered, troubled families, child care and single parenthood. The fund also has an annual Breakthrough Initiative Grant that goes towards groundbreaking new programs, best practices and collaborations.
Grants range between about $10,000 and $50,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving on the recent grants page of the funder’s website. Grantmaking focuses on Nebraska, specifically on the city of Lincoln. Past local grantees include Cedars Youth Services, Flatwater Shakespeare Company and the Food Bank of Lincoln.
This foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry from nonprofits. However, it requires grantseekers to contact the staff to present and discuss an idea before submitting a full proposal. LOIs can be submitted by mail or email. It awards grants twice per year. Direct general questions to the staff at info@woodscharitable.org or 402-436-5971.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
