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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $777K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Family Advocacy Network ($150,000), University of Nebraska Foundation ($116,565), Kearney Area Communty Foundation ($59,435).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BUFFALO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY KEARNEY, NE | SAVE THE SUNFLOWER SCHOOL | $20,000 |
| CHILDRENS NEBRASKA FOUNDATION OMAHA, NE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| FAMILY ADVOCACY NETWORK KEARNEY, NE | NEW BUILDING | $150,000 |
| GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION KEARNEY, NE | PURCHASE ECMO HEATER/COOLER | $35,000 |
| HARMON SONOTORIUM RESTORATION COMMI KEARNEY, NE | RESTORE HARMON PARK SONOTORIUM | $50,000 |
| HELP CARE CLINIC KEARNEY, NE | HIRE CONSULTANT FOR VISIONING | $3,000 |
| HOT MEALS USA KEARNEY, NE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT KEARNEY, NE | CLASSROOM MATERIALS | $7,500 |
| KEARNEY AREA COMMUNTY FOUNDATION KEARNEY, NE | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $59,435 |
| KEARNEY CATHOLIC FOUNDATOIN KEARNEY, NE | 1/5 OF OUTDOOR FACILITIES PROJECT | $50,000 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust fund?
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.
How do I apply for a grant from Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $3,000 to $298,435. **Annual Giving:** The foundation distributed $775,000 in grants based on its most recent IRS Form 990 filing. **Application Process:** No specific application procedures are detailed in available sources.
Where does Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust make 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.
What size grants does Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust award?
In 2024, Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust awarded 20 grants totaling $775K — an average of about $39K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $777K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust's EIN?
Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3693227. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cope Ron & Carol Foundation Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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