The Abel Foundation is a private foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska, established in 1953. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with the primary purpose of providing financial support to non-profit organizations located in communities where NEBCO and its affiliated companies have operations.
Key facts about Abel Foundation
- EIN
- 47-6041771
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,088,958
- Grants made (2025)
- 92
- Average grant
- $44,445
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (36 of 76, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Abel Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Abel Foundation's 92 itemized 2025 grants were Nebraska (98%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lincoln, NE (70 grants), Omaha, NE (7 grants), Kearney, NE (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants). 57% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (23 grants) and "Capital Campaign" (17 grants).
Is Abel Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 36 of 76 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $85K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$4.1M
+5.2% YoY
Grant Count
92
-3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
+8.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To provide financial support for non-profit organizations located in communities where NEBCO and its affiliated companies have operations.
Funding Priorities:
- Education
- Human Services
- Community Enhancement
- Arts and Culture
- Environmental Conservation
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
The foundation emphasizes projects with direct community impact, particularly those involving physical improvements and educational initiatives.
Grantmaking
Ready to take the next step with Abel Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Nebraska (with particular emphasis on Lincoln and Lancaster County)
- New York
- Tennessee
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 92 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $13,985,054
- Total Giving: $3,886,035
- Total Revenues: $3,760,643
- Total Expenses: $4,064,317
- Investment Income and Dividends: $760,643
Staffing:
- Number of Employees: 0
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
369 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Abel Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include University of Nebraska Foundation ($983,333 across 2 grants), Malone Community Center ($785,000 across 3 grants), Lincoln Youth Complex ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FOUNDATION LINCOLN, NE | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $933,333 |
| MALONE COMMUNITY CENTER LINCOLN, NE | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $750,000 |
| LINCOLN YOUTH COMPLEX LINCOLN, NE | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $500,000 |
| CULTURAL CENTERS OF LINCOLN LINCOLN, NE | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $333,333 |
| LINCOLN PARKS FOUNDATION LINCOLN, NE | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $250,000 |
| NEBRASKA GAME & PARKS FOUNDATION LINCOLN, NE | GENERAL FUND | $100,000 |
| FAMILY SERVICE LINCOLN LINCOLN, NE | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $83,333 |
| KEARNEY AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION KEARNEY, NE | GENERAL FUND | $70,000 |
| LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LINCOLN, NE | GENERAL FUND | $66,200 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FOUNDATION LINCOLN, NE | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| James P Abel | President | 1 | — |
| Kayla Abel | Director | 1 | — |
| John C Abel | Director | 1 | — |
| Max Rodenburg | VP/Sec | 10 | $117,500 |
| Philip C Abel | Director | 1 | — |
| Mary Abel | Director | 1 | — |
| Bryan D Murray | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Jack P Abel | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation made 63 grants in 2024, demonstrating active grantmaking focused on capital campaigns and program support in its priority areas. Recent major grants have supported community infrastructure projects and educational institutions in Nebraska.
Abel Foundation \u2013 Providing Financial Support for Non-Profit ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Abel Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To provide financial support for non-profit organizations located in communities where NEBCO and its affiliated companies have operations. **Funding Priorities:** • Education • Human Services • Community Enhancement • Arts and Culture • Environmental Conservation • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking The foundation emphasizes projects with direct community impact, particularly those involving physical improvements and educational initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from Abel Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $50–$933,333 • Recent grants made: 63 grants in 2024 • Total giving (2024): $3,886,035 **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • University of Nebraska Foundation: $933,333 (General Fund) • Malone Community Center: $750,000 (Capital Campaign) • Lincoln Youth Complex: $500,000 (Capital Campaign) **Eligibility Requirements:** • Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations • Ineligible applicants include non-501(c)(3) organizations and individuals • Projec…
Where does Abel Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Nebraska (with particular emphasis on Lincoln and Lancaster County) • New York • Tennessee
What size grants does Abel Foundation award?
In 2025, Abel Foundation awarded 92 grants totaling $4.1M — an average of about $44K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Abel Foundation's EIN?
Abel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6041771. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Abel Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.