Gardner Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker WAKEFIELD, NE EIN: 36-3705723 Website

Arts and culturePerforming artsTheaterMusicOrchestral music

The Gardner Foundation is a private foundation located in Wakefield, Nebraska, established in 1990 following the Gardner Family's sale of their interest in the M.G. Waldbaum Co. The foundation provides charitable grants to tax-exempt organizations carrying on religious, charitable, scientific, literary, and educational activities.

Key facts about Gardner Foundation

EIN: 36-3705723
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $1,382,811
Grants made (2024): 20
Average grant: $69,141
Median grant: $37,500
Primary geography: Nebraska (87% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
How to apply: The foundation accepts applications.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Gardner Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Gardner Foundation's 20 itemized 2024 grants were Nebraska (87%) and South Carolina (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wayne, NE (4 grants) and Wakefield, NE (4 grants). 50% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (3 grants).

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

Annual Giving

$1.4M

+2.0% YoY

Grant Count

+5.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$69K

-3.1% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Gardner Foundation's objective is to provide charitable grants to worthy tax-exempt organizations exclusively. The foundation supports organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and may also make grants to state or city entities when grants are made exclusively for public purposes.

Grantmaking

The foundation accepts applications. No confirmed application deadlines are specified; foundations without stipulated deadlines are best approached directly for more information. The foundation's fiscal year ends in December.

Grant Range

$25,000

Review Cycle

are specified; foundations without stipulated deadlines are best approached directly for more information. The foundation's fiscal year ends in December.

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The majority of projects and programs funded by The Gardner Foundation are within a 75-mile radius of Wakefield, Nebraska. The foundation provides funding across eastern Nebraska, northwest Iowa, and beyond.

Grant Distribution by State

Nebraska $1.2M (87%)

South Carolina $130K (9%)

Minnesota $25K (2%)

Florida $20K (1%)

Missouri $7K (1%)

Share of all 20 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

California Florida Iowa Minnesota Missouri Nebraska South Carolina

Cities

WayneWakefieldBeaufortEmersonBenningtonCharlestonTampaOmahaAllenLincolnPoncaWintersetBancroftConcordDakota CityDixonElkhornFolsomMaxwellNorfolk

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of Most Recent Reporting (2024):

Total assets: $23.1 million
Annual giving: $600,000
Income: $1,752,710 (as of 2023 reporting year)

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	—	—	—
Revenue	—	—	—
Expenses	—	—	—
Qualifying Distributions	—	—	—
Net Investment Income	—	—	—
Distributable Amount	—	—	—

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

93 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Wayne State Foundation ($707,197 across 2 grants), Dixon County Agricultural Society ($100,000), St Peter's Catholic Church ($80,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
WAYNE STATE FOUNDATION WAYNE, NE	SCHOLARSHIPS	$512,078
WAYNE STATE FOUNDATION WAYNE, NE	SCHOLARSHIPS	$195,119
DIXON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY WAKEFIELD, NE	GENERAL FUNDING	$100,000
ST PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH BEAUFORT, SC	TUITION ASSISTANCE	$80,000
PROVIDENCE MEDICAL FOUNDATION WAYNE, NE	ANNUAL GALA & SURGERY DEPT	$76,000
LITTLE RED HEN THEATRE WAKEFIELD, NE	OUTREACH	$75,000
NEBRASKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY LINCOLN, NE	SCHOLARSHIPS	$75,000
WINSIDE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE WINSIDE, NE	GENERAL FUNDING	$70,000
CITY OF WAYNE WAYNE, NE	GENERAL FUNDING	$50,000
DIOCESE OF CHARLESTONCATHOLIC COMM FDTN CHARLESTON, SC	GENERAL FUND	$50,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

David Gardner (Trustee)
Leslie Bebee (Trustee)
Kirk Gardner (Trustee)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
LESLIE A BEBEE	EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR	30	$45,000
DAVID J GARDNER	TRUSTEE	10	$12,000
KIRK N GARDNER	TRUSTEE	10	$12,000

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2024

The Gardner Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to the Dixon County Agricultural Society in 2024 for general funding support of the organization's annual county fair promoting agricultural sciences through amusement, product showing, and education to local residents.

CITY OF GARDNER AWARDED $252,000 PARC GRANT FOR NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Arts and culturePerforming artsTheaterMusicOrchestral music

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gardner Foundation fund?

How do I apply for a grant from Gardner Foundation?

**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: approximately $600,000 • Number of grants: 16 annually • Median grant size: $25,000 • Grant range: $2,000 to $100,000 • Giving rate: 2.6% of assets **Application Process:** The foundation accepts applications. No confirmed application deadlines are specified; foundations without stipulated deadlines are best approached directly for more information. The foundation's fiscal year ends in December.