Cooper Foundation
The Cooper Foundation is a private foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska. It makes grants to nonprofit organizations located in and working in Nebraska, with its highest geographic priority on organizations based in and serving Lincoln and Lancaster County.
Cooper Foundation at a glance
In short: Cooper Foundation gave $1.0M across 65 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), mostly in Nebraska. 31% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,015,898
- +45.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 65
- +20.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,629
- +20.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $30,257,897
- +9.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (20 of 65, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Cooper Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Organizations are encouraged to first contact the foundation with information about their organization, proposal, and budget to determine whether the request is a fit. If invited, applicants submit an online Letter of Inquiry; staff decide whether to advance it to a full application. Application materials include a request narrative describing the amount and purpose, beneficiaries, funding goal and plan, intended outcomes, and measures of success, along with financial and governance documents. The foundation does not fund individuals, businesses, building construction or renovation, health organizations or issues, churches or religious organizations or issues, religious schools, travel, memberships, endowments, non-501(c)(3) organizations, 509(a)(3) supporting organizations, fiscal agents, private foundations, operational deficits, general fund drives or annual appeals, or event sponsorships.
- Review Cycle
- The foundation lists Letter of Inquiry deadlines of January 1, March 15, July 15, and September 15. Grant decisions are made quarterly.
- Deadline
- The foundation lists Letter of Inquiry deadlines of January 1, March 15, July 15, and September 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Cooper Foundation
Mailing address: 870 Wells Fargo Center 1248 O, Street, Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 476-7571
Website: https://cooperfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Cooper Foundation
Who Cooper Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Nebraska-Lincoln En Thompson Forum on World Issues ($80K). Together the top 10 received $326K.
Grant Size Distribution
315 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 305 grants of 315 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s highest priority is for organizations based in and serving Lincoln and Lancaster County. Requests from elsewhere in Nebraska must serve a regional or statewide area and meet the foundation’s funding priorities. Its 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 65 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Cooper Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 20 of 65 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 32% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 105% 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 $658K (2023) to $1.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 65 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln En Thompson Forum on World Issues Lincoln, NE | Program | $80,398 |
| United Way of Lincolnlancaster County Lincoln, NE | Program | $39,000 |
| Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation Lincoln, NE | Program | $30,000 |
| Southeast Community College Educational Foundation Lincoln, NE | Program | $27,000 |
| Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement Omaha, NE | Operating | $25,000 |
| Clyde Malone Community Center Lincoln, NE | Operating | $25,000 |
| Nebraska Arts Council Development Corp Omaha, NE | Program | $25,000 |
| The Hub Central Access Point for Young Adults Lincoln, NE | Program | $25,000 |
| Bravebe Child Advocacy Center Lincoln, NE | Operating | $25,000 |
| Center for People Lincoln, NE | Operating | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Cooper 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 | $30,257,897 | $2,259,281 | $1,564,960 | $1,015,898 | 65 | $1,449,056 | $2,196,556 | $1,379,930 |
| 2024 | $27,569,201 | $2,612,638 | $1,280,007 | $698,157 | 54 | $1,142,281 | $2,551,716 | $1,316,971 |
| 2023 | $25,804,022 | $-621,957 | $1,002,757 | $658,462 | 54 | $1,084,283 | $196,459 | $1,201,448 |
| 2022 | $22,756,594 | $871,293 | $1,257,585 | $944,744 | 79 | $1,347,335 | $814,185 | $1,196,718 |
| 2021 | $30,485,328 | $5,316,687 | $1,742,774 | $1,005,380 | 63 | $1,384,667 | $5,252,627 | $1,434,718 |
| 2020 | $28,847,333 | $1,533,629 | $1,292,472 | $663,027 | 82 | — | $1,483,368 | $1,144,571 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cooper Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M 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
The foundation’s stated mission is to support strong, sustainable organizations, innovative ideas, and ventures of significant promise. It funds Nebraska nonprofits, as well as units of government, public universities, and K–12 schools.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. The Food Bank of Lincoln says it meets emergency food needs across 16 counties in southeast Nebraska; Foster Care Closet says it provides clothing and intake support to children in foster care. Lux Center for the Arts describes its work as art education, artist residencies, exhibitions, and community outreach. Nebraska Journalism Trust says it works to uncover truth, amplify diverse voices, and enrich life in Nebraska. These are descriptions provided by the grantees.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 65 grants totaling $1,015,898. Awards ranged from $500 to $80,398, with a median grant of $15,000. Among the largest awards were $80,398 to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues, $39,000 to United Way of Lincoln-Lancaster County, and $30,000 to the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation. The foundation also awarded $25,000 each to the Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement, Clyde Malone Community Center, Nebraska Arts Council Development Corp, The Hub Central Access Point for Young Adults, BraveBe Child Advocacy Center, Center for People, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders County, and Hope Spoke.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing include President Victoria Grasso; Chair Richard J. Vierk; Vice Chair Tyre J. McDowell; Treasurer Brad Korell; and trustees E. Arthur Thompson, Kim Robak, Jack D. Campbell, Connie Duncan, Michelle Suarez, and Jasmine Kingsley.
Cooper Foundation is led by Victoria Grasso, President on every filing since 2020; all 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Victoria Grasso
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$108K (2020) → $144K (2025)
Richard J. Vierk
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Connie Duncan
Trustee
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2025)
E. Arthur Thompson
Trustee
Chair → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Jack D. Campbell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Kim Robak
Trustee
Vice Chair → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Jasmine Kingsley
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$1K (2021) → $2K (2025)
Michelle Suarez
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
$2K (2024) → $2K (2025)
Brad Korell
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Tyre J. McDowell
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Robert Nefsky (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Pamela Hilton Snow (2020–2022) — Trustee
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 $144K, to Victoria Grasso (President). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Cooper Foundation
How much does Cooper Foundation give each year?
Cooper Foundation gave $1.0M across 65 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $698K across 54 grants.
What is Cooper Foundation's typical grant size?
Cooper Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $15,629, across 65 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Cooper Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does Cooper Foundation give grants?
Cooper Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lincoln, NE (44 grants), Omaha, NE (14 grants) and Hastings, NE (2 grants).
Does Cooper Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 49% of Cooper Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (32 of 65) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program" (27 grants) and "Scholarship" (6 grants).
Who are Cooper Foundation's largest grantees?
Cooper Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Nebraska-Lincoln En Thompson Forum on World Issues ($80,398), United Way of Lincolnlancaster County ($39,000) and Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation ($30,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Cooper Foundation?
Cooper Foundation reported $30.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Cooper Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support strong, sustainable organizations, innovative ideas, and ventures of significant promise. It funds Nebraska nonprofits, as well as units of government, public universities, and K–12 schools. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cooper Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Cooper Foundation's EIN?
Cooper Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0401230. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Cooper Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 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 April 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cooper Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Cooper Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/cooper-foundation-morg_c2694976c3e84400a04fd4788df206bb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_470401230_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Cooper Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/cooper-foundation-morg_c2694976c3e84400a04fd4788df206bb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Cooper 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.
Cooper Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?