D F Dillon Foundation
D F Dillon Foundation is a private foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska. In its 2025 filing, it reported 112 grants totaling $8,130,700, including support for Nebraska organizations and recipients in other states.
D F Dillon Foundation at a glance
In short: D F Dillon Foundation gave $8.1M across 112 grants in 2025 (avg $73K), mostly in Nebraska. 8% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,130,700
- +24.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 112
- -0.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $72,596
- +25.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $64,324,491
- +11.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (9 of 106, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to D F Dillon Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. It says blank grant applications can be requested from the foundation. The filing lists no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: D F Dillon Foundationjoe Kerrigan
Mailing address: PO Box 6368, Lincoln, NE 68506
Phone: (402) 937-9818
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who D F Dillon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Nebraska Foundation ($1.6M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $4.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
580 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 373 grants of 580 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska. The remaining shares went to Washington, DC (4%), Colorado (4%), Virginia (2%), and New York (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 112 itemized grants.
Cities
Is D F Dillon Foundation open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 106 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $81K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 80% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 23% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $5.1M (2020) to $8.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 112 grants totaling $8.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NE | Capital Improvements | $1,000,000 |
| Doane College Crete, NE | Program | $500,000 |
| Pius X Foundation Lincoln, NE | Capital Improvements | $500,000 |
| University of Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NE | Program | $500,000 |
| National Arbor Day Foundation Lincoln, NE | Capital Improvements | $475,000 |
| Regis University Denver, CO | Program | $300,000 |
| Audubon Nebraska Denton, NE | Capital Improvements | $250,000 |
| Cato Institute Washington, DC | Program | $250,000 |
| Lincoln City Library Foundation Lincoln, NE | Capital Improvements | $250,000 |
| Creighton University Omaha, NE | Program | $215,000 |
Ready to take the next step with D F Dillon 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 | $64,324,491 | $15,427,899 | $8,906,509 | $8,130,700 | 112 | $8,130,700 | $14,797,112 | $9,178,367 |
| 2024 | $57,803,101 | $18,438,350 | $7,255,731 | $6,549,875 | 113 | $6,549,875 | $17,851,704 | $8,129,807 |
| 2023 | $46,620,482 | $4,911,423 | $6,955,360 | $6,475,158 | 92 | $6,475,158 | $4,560,007 | $6,554,142 |
| 2022 | $48,664,419 | $8,452,322 | $7,184,452 | $6,617,820 | 122 | $6,617,820 | $8,092,060 | $6,471,004 |
| 2021 | $47,396,549 | $3,325,825 | $5,903,719 | $5,458,684 | 141 | $5,458,684 | $2,645,281 | $6,617,707 |
| 2020 | $49,974,443 | $1,317,477 | $5,406,297 | $5,061,064 | 122 | — | $1,088,112 | $5,490,377 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, D F Dillon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.2M 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
No foundation mission or specific funding focus areas are stated in the available information. The grants show support for a range of organizations and purposes, including educational institutions, environmental organizations, and civic organizations.
Some grantees describe their own missions as follows: the University of Nebraska Foundation says it grows relationships and resources to enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. Regis University says it seeks to build a more just and humane world through transformative education. The Cato Institute says its mission is to keep the principles and ideas of liberty alive and move public policy toward individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 112 grants totaling $8,130,700. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $30,000.
The largest 2025 grants included $1,000,000 to the University of Nebraska Foundation for capital improvements; $500,000 each to Doane College for a program, Pius X Foundation for capital improvements, and the University of Nebraska Foundation for a program; and $475,000 to the National Arbor Day Foundation for capital improvements. Other notable grants included $300,000 to Regis University for a program, $250,000 each to Audubon Nebraska, Cato Institute, and Lincoln City Library Foundation, and $215,000 to Creighton University.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph Kerrigan as president and treasurer; Donald F. Dillon as director; Patrick J. Kerrigan as vice president, secretary, and director; and David B. Policky as director.
D F Dillon Foundation is led by Joseph Kerrigan, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joseph Kerrigan
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
$25K (2020) → $50K (2025)
David B. Policky
Director
On filings since 2020
$4K (2020) → $8K (2025)
Donald F. Dillon
Director
On filings since 2020
$4K (2020) → $8K (2025)
Patrick J. Kerrigan
Vice President, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
$4K (2020) → $8K (2025)
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 $50K, to Joseph Kerrigan (Pres/Treas). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about D F Dillon Foundation
How much does D F Dillon Foundation give each year?
D F Dillon Foundation gave $8.1M across 112 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $6.5M across 113 grants.
What is D F Dillon Foundation's typical grant size?
D F Dillon Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $72,596, across 112 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from D F Dillon Foundation that year got $29K on average.
Where does D F Dillon Foundation give grants?
D F Dillon Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lincoln, NE (61 grants), Omaha, NE (24 grants), Alliance, NE (4 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does D F Dillon Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 112 grants with a stated purpose on D F Dillon Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program" (90 grants) and "Capital Improvements" (22 grants).
Who are D F Dillon Foundation's largest grantees?
D F Dillon Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Nebraska Foundation ($1,550,000 across 3 grants), Doane College ($500,000) and Pius X Foundation ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is D F Dillon Foundation?
D F Dillon Foundation reported $64.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does D F Dillon Foundation fund?
No foundation mission or specific funding focus areas are stated in the available information. The grants show support for a range of organizations and purposes, including educational institutions, environmental organizations, and civic organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from D F Dillon Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is D F Dillon Foundation's EIN?
D F Dillon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1805591. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does D F Dillon Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in D F Dillon Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Abel Foundation
Lincoln, NE
The Abel Foundation supports nonprofit community projects, especially capital projects, arts and culture, conservation, education, and human services, with a strong focus on Nebraska communities where NEBCO and its affiliates operate. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $933,333, with a median of $10,000. It directs applicants to its website for application information; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$14.1M
Grants
92
Total Given
$4.1M
Rogers Foundation
Lincoln, NE
The foundation supports a broad range of community needs, including youth education, arts, food assistance, health care, and family support. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $50,000, with a median of $15,000, and 97% of funding went to Nebraska; it accepts proposals and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$8.8M
Grants
36
Total Given
$613K
Cooper Foundation
Lincoln, NE
The Cooper Foundation funds Nebraska nonprofits, schools, public universities, and government units in the arts, education, human services, environment, humanities, and civic and community engagement, with priority for organizations serving Lincoln and Lancaster County. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $80,398, with a median of $15,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; organizations should contact the foundation first, and only invited applicants may submit a Letter of Inquiry.
Assets
$30.3M
Grants
65
Total Given
$1.0M
The Sunderland Foundation
Overland Park, KS
The Sunderland Foundation supports organizations serving Greater Kansas City, focusing on affordable housing, economic stability, health and behavioral health, youth development, and select legacy institutions. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,750 to $25 million, with a median of $375,000; it is invitation-only and is not currently accepting applications or proposals.
Assets
$927.0M
Grants
25
Total Given
$102.1M
The Hawks Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Hawks Foundation’s stated focus is higher education and ethical business practices, with recent grants also supporting education, mental health, arts, healthcare, legal aid, and community programs. In 2024, its median grant was $40,000, with awards ranging from $1,000 to nearly $6.95 million; 76% of grant dollars went to Nebraska and 22% to New York. The filing describes application procedures for scholarship and medical program applicants but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$413.1M
Grants
141
Total Given
$32.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Nebraska
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). D F Dillon Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/d-f-dillon-foundation-morg_2797ef28da6b4df9950194db554cfc27
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911805591_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{D F Dillon Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/d-f-dillon-foundation-morg_2797ef28da6b4df9950194db554cfc27},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 D F Dillon 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.
D F Dillon Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?