Foundations that fund arts and culture in Nebraska
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in Nebraska in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Robert B Daugherty Foundation
- $2,000,000 to Opas Foundation, Omaha: Capital Project Support
- $1,800,000 to Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha: Capital Project Support
- $500,000 to Kaneko, Omaha: General Operating Support
How to apply: See exhibit i - grant application procedures and agreement
Restrictions: Primarily for organizations in the state of nebraska, particularly in the greater omaha area.
The Holland Foundation
- $8,543,333 to Omaha Performing Arts Society, Omaha: Operating
- $3,079,538 to Opera Omaha, Omaha: Operating
- $135,000 to Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha: Operating
How to apply: Written description of the organization and project along with financial information on the organization and the project. Also include a statement of benefits derived from the grant.
Cooper Foundation
- $25,000 to Asian Community & Cultural Center, Lincoln: Program
- $20,000 to Sunrise Communications Inc, Lincoln: Operating
- $20,000 to Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln: Operating
How to apply: Applications must be submitted online. Each application should include a request narrative that includes the following information: amount requested and its purpose, who will benefit, funding goal and plan to achieve that funding, and the specific outcomes the grantee hopes to...
Deadlines: Applications are reviewed at board of trustee meetings
Restrictions: Grants are made primarily to nebraska non-profit organizations
Lincoln Financial Foundation Inc
- $20,000 to Omaha Childrens Museum Inc, Omaha: Education
- $20,000 to The Durham Museum, Omaha: Education
- $12,750 to Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha: Arts
How to apply: Grant requests to be submitted online. Information required includes organization name, purpose of grant request & amount requested.
Deadlines: Human Services - March; United Way - August; Arts - October; Financial Wellness - July; Education -
Restrictions: Grantee must be a 501(c)(3) organization located in or near communities in which the foundation has a presence.
Gilbert M and Martha H Hitchcock Foundation
- $50,000 to Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha: To further thecharitable purposeof the recipient
- $25,000 to Omaha Conservatory of Music, Omaha: To further thecharitable purposeof the recipient
- $20,000 to Pear Tree Performing Arts, Omaha: To further thecharitable purposeof the recipient
How to apply: See attached exhibit A
Deadlines: See attached exhibit A
Restrictions: See attached exhibit A
Union Pacific Foundation
- $325,000 to Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha: Arts and culture
- $15,000 to Way Out West Community Theatre Inc, Sidney: Arts and culture
- $15,000 to Grand Island Childrens Museum Inc, Grand Island: Career awareness and readiness for youth
How to apply: Grant application available online during specific periods.
Deadlines: May 31, 2025 for 2025 applications.
Restrictions: The foundation administers the philanthropic program of union pacific corporation and union pacific railroad company. Grants are awarded to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located in union pacific communities that best align with the...
Lee and Debbie Stuart Family Foundation
- $25,000 to Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha: Charitable
- $12,500 to Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln: Charitable
- $2,500 to Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln: Charitable
How to apply: The organization requesting a grant should furnish an opinion to the effect that (1) the organization has been certified by the Internal Revenue Service and is in fact acting as an organization described in Section 501(C)(3) of the internal revenue code to which contributions...
Deadlines: Applications are accepted at any time.
Herbert T Weston Jr and Marian S Weston Foundation
- $10,000 to Nebraska Public Media Foundation, Lincoln: General purpose
- $10,000 to Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha: General purpose
- $8,000 to Gage County Historical Society, Beatrice: General purpose
How to apply: General letter containing purposes and intent, irs exemption letter
Rogers Foundation
- $15,000 to Minden Opera House, Minden: Charitable
- $10,000 to Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln: Charitable
- $6,000 to Nebraska Brass, Lincoln: Charitable purpose
How to apply: A proposal including a plan of the project or program, all activities, all objectives, benefits to whom, how, where, when and why should be included. The total cost of the project along with the amount requested from us should be included along with a listing of other sources...
Webster Family Foundation
- $10,000 to Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney: Unrestricted grant
- $10,000 to Durham Museum, Omaha: Unrestricted grant
- $5,000 to Omaha Chamber Music Society, Omaha: Program support
How to apply: No specific format required
Deadlines: No specific deadlines
Restrictions: Must further the charitable intent of the foundation
Assurity Life Foundation
- $125,000 to Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln: Support for Public School Programs
- $2,500 to Nebraska Art Association, Lincoln: Art Programming & Education
- $1,500 to Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln: Understanding & Appreciation of Art
How to apply: Paper or Electronic
Iowa West Foundation
- $21,000 to Omaha Performing Arts Society, Omaha: Music education programs for iowa students
- $15,477 to Omaha Symphony Association, Omaha: School field trips & workshops and the every single child program for iowa youth
- $15,000 to Opera Omaha, Omaha: 2024-2025 season community engagement and education programs
How to apply: Https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/grantmaking/application-process/
Deadlines: Https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/grantmaking/application-process/
Restrictions: Https://www.iowawestfoundation.org/grantmaking/what-we-fund/
Leroy Thom Jean Thom and T-L Foundation
- $7,000 to Hastings Symphony Orchestra, Hastings: public fine arts support
- $6,000 to Minden Opera House, Minden: local fine arts support
- $2,000 to Willa Cather Foundation, Red Cloud: historical preservation ed
How to apply: No particular form
Restrictions: Generally limited to NE religious, educational, assistance orgnizations and activities
The Shubert Foundation Inc
- $70,000 to Omaha Theater Company, Omaha: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $40,000 to Blue Barn Theatre, Omaha: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $15,000 to Great Plains Theatre Commons, Omaha: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
How to apply: All requests must be submitted on the foundation's application form and include a copy of the applicant's letter from the u.s. Treasury department granting federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the u.s. Internal revenue code. To be eligible for a grant and if audited...
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: The shubert foundation exclusively provides funds for general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations.
Dolezal Family Foundation C/O First Nebraska Trust Company
- $25,000 to Lincoln Childrens Museum, Lincoln: General charitable purpose
- $20,000 to Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln: General charitable purpose
- $15,000 to Mourning Hope, Lincoln: General charitable purpose
How to apply: Applicants would contact foundation offices for grant application (see attached)
Deadlines: January 31st
Restrictions: Grantees are to be from nebraska, with preference given to those located in the lincoln area
Ike & Roz Friedman Foundation
- $30,000 to Kaneko, Omaha: Charitable
- $6,000 to Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha: Charitable
- $1,000 to Omaha Conservatory of Music, Omaha: Charitable
How to apply: No specific form is required, should include name, address, specific activities of proposed grant requested.
Deadlines: There are no submission deadlines
Restrictions: There are no restrictions or limitations on awards
The Hampton Family Foundation
- $25,000 to Cedars Youth Services, Lincoln: General support
- $4,000 to Mourning Hope, Lincoln: General support
- $4,000 to Lincoln Community Playhouse, Lincoln: General support
How to apply: Letter
Restrictions: There are no restrictions or limitations. Grants are more likely to be made to those nebraska and/or lincoln community organizations which promote education, individual self worth and independence.
Alan & Marcia Baer Foundation
- $5,000 to Durham Museum, Omaha: General operations
- $2,500 to Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha: General operations
- $1,000 to Blue Barn Theatre, Omaha: General operations
How to apply: None specified
Deadlines: Please allow 30 days prior to requested deadlines
The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation C/O Sandy Von Riesen
- $1,000 to Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha: Unsolicated request for funds
- $1,000 to Opera Omaha, Omaha: Unsolicated request for funds
- $1,000 to Durham Museum, Omaha: Unsolicated request for funds
How to apply: Letter or verbal request
Myron Scott Trust
- $21,005 to Buffalo County Historical Society, Kearney: Charitable contribution
- $5,251 to Kearney Community Theatre, Kearney: Charitable contribution
How to apply: Forms are available from the person identified here. Letter applications are also accepted
Deadlines: There are no submission deadlines
Restrictions: Grants are for the fostering of the arts and sciences in the areas of Kearney, Nebraska and Buffalo County Nebraska
Pace Woods Foundation
- $10,000 to Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln: General operation
- $7,500 to Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln: General operation
How to apply: Grant Application for an Organization Organizational Information - Provide the information using the following format: 1. Organization Name 2. Address 3. Website 4. Contact Person, title and contact information 5. Past two years Income Statement, balance sheet,(footnotes and...
Deadlines: Applications due by March 31. Reviewed by Sept 30 and announced by October 15.
Restrictions: The Foundation's funds shall be utilized to improve the lives and future activities of individuals. The Foundations funds are not limited specifically to use for human beings nor must the use of the funds produce measurable results;...
Bill & Virginia Coffee Family Foundation
- $7,500 to Carnegie Arts Center Inc, Alliance: Operational Funding
- $7,500 to Post Playhouse Inc, Chadron: Post Playhouse Education Programs
How to apply: See Attached Grant Application
Deadlines: July 15
The Lebaron Foundation
- $10,000 to Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha: General support
- $3,000 to Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln: Silvery galley sponser
How to apply: Application should be made by letter and include the following: -the purpose for which the funds will be used -the amount of funds requested -a copy of the letter from the internal revenue service authorizing irc section 501(c)(3) status
Cl Werner Foundation
- $7,500 to Lincoln Childrens Museum, Lincoln: Museums for all
- $5,000 to Opera Omaha, Omaha: Opera 360 grant
How to apply: Grant applications should be submitted online at www.clwernerfoundation.org/grant-application. Required submission documents include: 501(c)(3) confirmation letter, most recent form 990, itemized project budget (if applicable), current financial statement, an impact letter...
Deadlines: The foundation will review grant requests on a quarterly basis in january, april, july and october.
Restrictions: Grant recipients must take a year off from applying after three successive years of foundation support.
Hugo A and Thelma Aspegren Charitable Trust
- $8,250 to The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln: Provide educational and charitable services.
- $4,000 to Lincoln Childrens Museum, Lincoln: Provide educational and charitable services.
How to apply: See attached form
Deadlines: January 31st
Restrictions: Nebraska
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