Buffett Early Childhood Fund
Buffett Early Childhood Fund is a private foundation established in 2005 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. The organization operates as an independent 501(c)(3) charitable foundation dedicated to advancing early childhood education and development across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.0M
+5.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$31.9M
+4.1% YoY
Grant Count
41
+5.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$777K
-1.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The fund's vision is "a nation that enables every child to thrive in their first five years." The organization invests in early childhood practice, policy, and science to improve systems and create structural change so all young children and families thrive.
The fund is committed to leveling the playing field for the youngest and most vulnerable children through quality experiences in the first five years. Its focus areas include:
- Early childhood education
- Child educational development
- Elementary and secondary education
- Philanthropy and nonprofit work
- Practice, policy, and science investments to maximize the potential of children facing the greatest odds in life
Grantmaking
No unsolicited requests for funding are accepted at this time.
Grant Range
approximately $3,000
Average Grant
approximately $3,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The fund operates with a geographic scope of Nebraska and National. It has significant funding presence in major cities and states including:
- Nebraska (primary focus)
- District of Columbia
- Massachusetts
- Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Nevada, and Wisconsin
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total assets: $9,046,904
- Total revenues: $33,542,538
- Total expenses: $34,505,845
- Total giving: $31,856,902
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,046,904 | $8,606,329 | $7,380,809 |
| Revenue | $33,542,538 | $33,655,045 | $30,270,828 |
| Expenses | $34,505,845 | $33,226,589 | $34,418,103 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $34,420,845 | $32,918,898 | $34,347,066 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,401,090 | $13,151,840 | $7,028,132 |
| Distributable Amount | $460,517 | $678,125 | $734,907 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
188 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Susan A. Buffett - Director and Chair
- Jessie Rasmussen - President
The organization has 6 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN A BUFFETT | DIRECTOR & CHAIR | 5 | — |
| HELEN RAIKES | DIRECTOR & TREASURER | 5 | — |
| WALLACE WEITZ | DIRECTOR & SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| MIKE BURKE | VICE-PRESIDENT | 40 | $228,610 |
| JESSIE RASMUSSEN | PRESIDENT | 40 | $364,740 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Buffett Early Childhood Fund has demonstrated continued commitment to early childhood research and practice through recent support announcements, including renewed funding for the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center and support for early literacy initiatives in Nebraska.
Buffett Early Childhood Institute Awarded $1.295 Million Grant to Boost EarlySubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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