Chadron State Foundation
The Chadron State Foundation is dedicated to enhancing chadron state college's ability to meet its primary educational mission in western Nebraska. The foundation supports scholarship programs for the college and undertakes fundraising activity which provide resources vital to the mission of chadron state college in the areas of instruction, research, and service. The foundation recognizes the generosity of donors who, acting individually or as members of a group, provide chadron state an all important margin of excellence as it continues to meet the educational, economic, and cultural needs of western Nebraska both today and well into the future.
Chadron State Foundation at a glance
In short: Chadron State Foundation gave $91K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $91K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $91,343
- -38.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $91,343
- -38.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $91,343
- Total assets
- $39,109,031
- +14.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Chadron State Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Chadron State College ($91K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 5 (20%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Chadron State Foundation gives
- Giving fell 91% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $38K (2021) to $1.0M (2022). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $91K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chadron State College Chadron, NE | Education Mission | $91,343 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,109,031 | $4,186,327 | $1,901,655 | $91,343 | 1 | $1,648,693 |
| 2024 | $34,287,280 | $2,641,262 | $2,162,787 | $149,333 | 1 | $1,031,379 |
| 2023 | $30,914,382 | $2,681,948 | $2,640,202 | $945,571 | 1 | $826,687 |
| 2022 | $28,800,202 | $4,095,770 | $2,683,534 | $1,029,722 | 1 | $1,673,371 |
| 2021 | $31,754,488 | $3,141,454 | $1,476,910 | $37,734 | 1 | $921,186 |
About Chadron State Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Chadron State Foundation is a public charity, based in Chadron, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $39.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $91K. Net investment income was $1.6M.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Chadron State Foundation is led by Ben Watson, CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2021); none of the 20 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ben Watson
CEO
Chief Executive Officer → CEO, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Kruger
CEO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joanne Owens-Nausler
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Emanuel
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cricket Haag
Controller
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janice Erwin
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Barp
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Smith
Board Member
Vice Chair → Chairman, 2023
Chairman → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Carder
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randy Cullers
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Bila
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rodd Rickenbach
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Casey Cortney
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Brohman
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Lecher
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Smith
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawson Brunswick
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sami Segelke
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Grimes
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Williamson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: James Grimes (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Nielsen (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Eldon Terrell (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jeff King (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jim Gardner (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kim Lobato (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Patrick Friesen (2021–2022) — Chair
- Former: Sheila Dormann (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Gregg Powell (2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Chadron State Foundation
How much does Chadron State Foundation give each year?
Chadron State Foundation gave $91K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $149K across 1 grant.
How large is Chadron State Foundation?
Chadron State Foundation reported $39.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.2M.
Where does Chadron State Foundation operate?
Chadron State Foundation has awarded grants in Nebraska.
What is Chadron State Foundation's EIN?
Chadron State Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7352673. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 17, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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