The D F Dillon Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska, founded by philanthropist Donald F. Dillon. With substantial assets and an annual giving capacity exceeding $6 million, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations primarily across Nebraska with selective funding in other states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$57.8M
+24.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.5M
+1.2% YoY
Grant Count
113
+22.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$58K
-17.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus, suggesting broad philanthropic interests. However, based on recent grant activity, the foundation supports:
- Education
- Social services
- Health and community health
- Historic preservation
- Environment
- Community development
- Civic affairs
- Children and youth
- Catholic organizations
- Arts and culture
- Human services
- Science and STEM education
Types of support include project support, equipment funding, and building funds.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is distributed through trustee discretion rather than formal application cycles.
Grant Range
$1,000 to $1,000,000
Average Grant
$54,200
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation emphasizes the Lincoln, Nebraska area but also funds projects in:
- Colorado
- Florida
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $46.6–$57.8 million (varies by reporting source and year)
- Annual Giving: $6.5 million (2023)
- Revenue: Approximately $4.9–$8.5 million
- Giving Rate: 13.9% of assets
- Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3), tax-exempt since July 1997
- EIN: 91-1805591
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $57,803,101 | $46,620,482 | $48,664,419 |
| Revenue | $18,438,350 | $4,911,423 | $8,452,322 |
| Expenses | $7,255,731 | $6,955,360 | $7,184,452 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,549,875 | $6,475,158 | $6,617,820 |
| Net Investment Income | $17,851,704 | $4,560,007 | $8,092,060 |
| Distributable Amount | $8,129,807 | $6,554,142 | $6,471,004 |
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
250 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
- Joseph Kerrigan – President and Treasurer
- Donald F. Dillon – Director
- Patrick J. Kerrigan – Vice President, Secretary, and Director
- David B. Policky – Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH KERRIGAN | PRES/TREAS | — | $50,000 |
| DONALD F DILLON | DIRECTOR | — | $7,500 |
| PATRICK J KERRIGAN | VP/SEC/DIREC | — | $7,500 |
| DAVID B POLICKY | DIRECTOR | — | $7,500 |
Contact Information
Address: P.O. Box 6368, Lincoln, NE 68506
Email: [email protected]
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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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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