Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust
The Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust is a private family foundation established in 1990 and based in Kearney, Nebraska. The foundation was created by Ron and Carol Cope, longtime residents and philanthropists who made significant contributions to their community and the University of Nebraska system.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.3M
+6.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$775K
+2.0% YoY
Grant Count
20
+17.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
-13.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grant-making priorities include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Arts, Culture & Humanities
- Community Health
- Health and Medical Services
- Health and Wellness
The foundation primarily supports organizations and initiatives in Nebraska.
Grantmaking
How to Apply
** No specific application procedures are detailed in available sources.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's giving is primarily concentrated in Nebraska, with particular emphasis on the Kearney area and support for the University of Nebraska system.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $8,321,926 (based on most recent IRS Form 990 filing)
Annual Giving: $775,000
The foundation maintains significant endowment resources to support its ongoing philanthropic activities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,321,926 | $7,818,507 | $8,400,246 |
| Revenue | $1,395,455 | $283,920 | $144,131 |
| Expenses | $892,036 | $865,659 | $909,802 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $775,687 | $760,688 | $801,001 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,279,106 | $159,205 | $139,775 |
| Distributable Amount | $777,427 | $723,228 | $741,601 |
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
91 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
Carol Cope (September 13, 1909 – September 13, 2012) was a music educator and philanthropist who graduated from Peru State College in 1929 and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in piano and organ from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1934. She taught music and other subjects throughout Nebraska before marrying Ronald James Cope on June 21, 1939.
Ron Cope (February 23, 1911 – date of death not specified) completed his teaching diploma from Peru State in 1930 and taught in Pawnee County rural schools before moving into business management.
Sherry Morrow is identified as a trustee of the Cope Charitable Fund.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM OLDFATHER | SECRETARY/TR | — | — |
| SHERRY MORROW | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| RACHELLE BRYANT | VICE-PRESIDE | — | — |
| CINDY WALKER | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| RICHARD HRANAC | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Carol Cope's estate made a $12.6 million gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation in 2013, representing the largest single gift in the history of the University of Nebraska at Kearney at that time. Of this amount, $11.6 million benefited UNK and $1 million was directed to UNL for endowed faculty professorships.
Alumna Carol Cope leaves lasting legacy with $12.6 million estate gift -The gift established multiple permanently endowed funds supporting student scholarships, faculty awards, and academic programs. Carol Cope died on September 13, 2012, on her 103rd birthday. Her legacy is commemorated through Ron and Carol Cope Stadium at UNK and various other campus facilities and programs bearing the Cope name.
Alumna Carol Cope leaves lasting legacy with $12.6 million estate gift -The foundation's giving has supported numerous community institutions in Kearney, including Kearney Catholic High School's activity center, the Yanney Park amphitheater, and child development programs at local organizations.
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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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