Bluestem Prairie Foundation
Bluestem Prairie Foundation is a private foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. Its 2025 filing reports 37 grants totaling $150,120, with nearly all grant dollars going to Nebraska recipients.
Bluestem Prairie Foundation at a glance
In short: Bluestem Prairie Foundation gave $150K across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in Nebraska. 3% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $150,120
- +1.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- -2.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,057
- +4.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $1,890,881
- +0.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 3% first-time grantees (1 of 37, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bluestem Prairie Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 14400 Branch Street 501, Omaha, NE 68154
Phone: (402) 341-9441
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bluestem Prairie Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Omaha Douglas Public Building Commi ($83K). Together the top 10 received $131K.
Grant Size Distribution
201 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 198 grants of 201 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to Nebraska recipients, 1% to New York recipients, and less than 1% to Iowa recipients, as reported in the filing.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Bluestem Prairie Foundation open to new grantees?
3%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 37 grantees (3%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $500; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $1K repeat.
- 97% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 81% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 192% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $70K (2021) to $150K (2025). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $150K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha Douglas Public Building Commi Omaha, NE | unrestricted | $83,340 |
| Ollie Webb Center Omaha, NE | The Art of Imagination | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Omaha, NE | unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Film Streams Omaha, NE | unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Omaha Public Library Omaha, NE | unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Foodbank For The Heartland Omaha, NE | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Learning for All Omaha, NE | unrestricted | $4,000 |
| Joslyn Castle Trust Omaha, NE | unrestricted | $3,000 |
| Take Flight Farms Omaha, NE | unrestricted | $3,000 |
| Nebraska Appleseed Lincoln, NE | unrestricted | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Bluestem Prairie Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,890,881 | $184,035 | $173,779 | $150,120 | 37 | $152,486 | $162,742 | $79,560 |
| 2024 | $1,883,070 | $247,154 | $171,753 | $148,120 | 38 | $150,482 | $175,883 | $73,395 |
| 2023 | $1,808,944 | $113,557 | $167,205 | $142,930 | 41 | $145,357 | $91,709 | $69,859 |
| 2022 | $1,767,855 | $47,425 | $108,431 | $83,030 | 43 | $84,968 | $18,905 | $74,313 |
| 2021 | $1,835,932 | $644,874 | $91,283 | $69,530 | 42 | $71,704 | $625,295 | $69,001 |
| 2020 | $1,282,950 | $50,803 | $89,825 | $71,065 | 43 | — | $33,918 | $62,017 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bluestem Prairie Foundation reported a distributable amount of $80K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Ollie Webb Center describes its mission as enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families through support, programs, and advocacy. Film Streams says it works to enhance the cultural environment of the Omaha–Council Bluffs area through film. The Omaha Public Schools Foundation says it funds learning experiences for students.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $150,120 through 37 grants. Grants ranged from $180 to $83,340, with a median grant of $1,000. The largest grant listed was $83,340 to Omaha Douglas Public Building Commi for unrestricted purposes. Other grants included $10,000 to Ollie Webb Center for “The Art of Imagination,” $10,000 to Planned Parenthood for unrestricted purposes, and $5,000 each to Film Streams, Omaha Public Library, and Foodbank For The Heartland.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Katherine Krauss as President and George H Krauss as Treasurer.
Bluestem Prairie Foundation is led by Katherine Krauss, President on every filing since 2022; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Katherine Krauss
President
On filings since 2022
10 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $16K (2025)
George H Krauss
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: S Kyker Krauss (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Kathryn Krauss (2020–2021) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $16K, to Katherine Krauss (President).
Frequently asked questions about Bluestem Prairie Foundation
How much does Bluestem Prairie Foundation give each year?
Bluestem Prairie Foundation gave $150K across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $148K across 38 grants.
What is Bluestem Prairie Foundation's typical grant size?
Bluestem Prairie Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $4,057, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bluestem Prairie Foundation that year got $500 on average.
Where does Bluestem Prairie Foundation give grants?
Bluestem Prairie Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (26 grants), Lincoln, NE (4 grants) and New York, NY (4 grants).
Does Bluestem Prairie Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 97% of Bluestem Prairie Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (36 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bluestem Prairie Foundation's largest grantees?
Bluestem Prairie Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Omaha Douglas Public Building Commi ($83,340), Ollie Webb Center ($10,000) and Planned Parenthood ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Bluestem Prairie Foundation?
Bluestem Prairie Foundation reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $152K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $80K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Bluestem Prairie Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Ollie Webb Center describes its mission as enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families through support, programs, and advocacy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bluestem Prairie Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bluestem Prairie Foundation's EIN?
Bluestem Prairie Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0122565. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Bluestem Prairie Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bluestem Prairie Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Sherwood Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Sherwood Foundation funds equity and social-justice work in Nebraska, with a focus on urban and rural community partnerships and early childhood education; it supports operating, program, and capital needs. Its 2025 grants had a median of $90,000, though awards varied widely. It does not accept unsolicited requests and uses an invitation-only application process.
Assets
$977.8M
Grants
790
Total Given
$296.3M
The Lozier Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Lozier Foundation funds education, women and girls, North Omaha initiatives, and human services, with a focus on underrepresented communities in the Omaha metro area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $450 to $2 million, with a median of about $38,000; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests and contributes to preselected organizations.
Assets
$437.1M
Grants
450
Total Given
$49.2M
Weitz Family Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Weitz Family Foundation funds nonprofits in arts, education, health, human services, and public and societal benefit, with an emphasis on equity and racial justice; it focuses primarily on Omaha and made 96% of its 2025 grant dollars in Nebraska. Its typical grant was about $50,000 in 2025, though new-to-the-foundation Omaha nonprofits can request up to $20,000 through its Beloved Community application. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$19.6M
Grants
171
Total Given
$19.4M
Peter Kiewit Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Peter Kiewit Foundation funds college access and success, youth development, economic opportunity, community amenities, and community foundation capacity, primarily in Nebraska and western Iowa within 100 miles of Omaha. Its 2025 grants ranged from $219 to $5 million, with a median of $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests or grant inquiries; it invites selected organizations to apply.
Assets
$466.6M
Grants
160
Total Given
$29.2M
Robert B Daugherty Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Robert B. Daugherty Foundation funds tax-exempt organizations’ charitable, scientific, cultural, religious, and educational work, with preference for projects addressing community needs in Nebraska, especially greater Omaha. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $4.81 million, with a median of $77,500. It accepts applications through an online process; no deadline is listed.
Assets
$839.7M
Grants
120
Total Given
$37.9M
The Hawks Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Hawks Foundation’s stated focus is higher education and ethical business practices, with recent grants also supporting education, mental health, arts, healthcare, legal aid, and community programs. In 2024, its median grant was $40,000, with awards ranging from $1,000 to nearly $6.95 million; 76% of grant dollars went to Nebraska and 22% to New York. The filing describes application procedures for scholarship and medical program applicants but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$413.1M
Grants
141
Total Given
$32.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Nebraska
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bluestem Prairie Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bluestem-prairie-foundation-morg_eef70e6241c54943b38e3544e5ba7372
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_270122565_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bluestem Prairie Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bluestem-prairie-foundation-morg_eef70e6241c54943b38e3544e5ba7372},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Bluestem Prairie Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Bluestem Prairie Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?