Gifford Foundation Inc
Gifford Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. Its 2025 filing reports $87,000 in grants to 16 organizations, including arts and cultural institutions, environmental organizations, and groups addressing community needs.
Gifford Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Gifford Foundation Inc gave $87K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Nebraska. 31% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $87,000
- +33.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +6.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,438
- +25.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $948,789
- -2.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (5 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (83% 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 Gifford Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The 2025 filing lists Charles Gifford as the contact. Form and materials, deadlines, and restrictions on awards are listed as N/A. The filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Contact
Application contact: Charles Gifford
Mailing address: 3702 Jackson St Apt 406, Omaha, NE 68105
Phone: (347) 524-7096
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Gifford Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Joslyn Art Museum ($50K). Together the top 10 received $82K.
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 80 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Nebraska (83%), followed by recipients in Washington, DC (7%), New York (4%), New Jersey (3%), and Pennsylvania (1%). A listed 2025 grant also went to Quahog Bay Conservancy in Maine.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Gifford Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 16 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 56% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 23% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 112% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $49K (2020) to $87K (2025). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $87K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Joslyn Art Museum Omaha, NE | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Nature Conservancy Omaha, NE | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Museum of Nebraska Art Kearney, NE | Unrestricted | $5,515 |
| Washington Print Foundation Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Ali Forney Center New York, NY | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| AMA Animal Rescue Brooklyn, NY | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Emmanuel Cancer Foundation Clark, NJ | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges Short Hills, NJ | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Mend Hunger Relief Network Maplewood, NJ | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Omega Horse Rescue & Rehabilitation Center Airville, PA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Gifford Foundation Inc?
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 | $948,789 | $84,284 | $107,816 | $87,000 | 16 | $87,000 | $63,468 | $77,335 |
| 2024 | $970,752 | $52,957 | $82,362 | $65,016 | 15 | $65,016 | $35,611 | $70,244 |
| 2023 | $999,152 | $47,993 | $85,956 | $62,000 | 17 | $62,000 | $27,467 | $60,884 |
| 2022 | $1,037,134 | $145,884 | $93,399 | $70,550 | 16 | $70,550 | $123,035 | $62,358 |
| 2021 | $970,052 | $50,117 | $90,360 | $71,400 | 16 | $73,295 | $31,157 | $71,208 |
| 2020 | $1,010,524 | $45,741 | $78,124 | $48,850 | 17 | — | $16,467 | $56,031 |
| 2019 | $1,043,502 | $42,013 | $77,015 | $63,300 | 24 | — | $29,669 | $54,158 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gifford Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $77K 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
The foundation’s filings do not state a mission. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Joslyn Art Museum says it brings people together to explore art across time and cultures; the Museum of Nebraska Art says it celebrates Nebraska’s visual-art history; and the Nature Conservancy received a grant, though no mission statement for that grantee is provided here.
Other 2025 recipients include organizations addressing food insecurity, youth homelessness, animal rescue, and film as an art form. Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges describes its work as providing supplemental food to food-insecure residents with dignity and respect. Ali Forney Center says it works to protect LGBTQ youth from homelessness and support their transition to adulthood. These are grantees’ descriptions of their own work, not stated priorities of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $87,000 through 16 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $600 to $50,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest grants were $50,000 to Joslyn Art Museum, $15,000 to the Nature Conservancy, $5,515 to the Museum of Nebraska Art, and $5,000 to Washington Print Foundation. Each was listed as unrestricted. Other listed recipients include Ali Forney Center, AMA Animal Rescue, Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges, and Mend Hunger Relief Network, each receiving $1,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Charles Gifford as president; Victoria Shestack Aronoff as secretary; and William Brush as treasurer. Directors listed are Sanford Gifford, Theodore A. Gifford, Thomas P. Brush, Jessie Shestack, Michele Van Deventer, and Madeline W. Brush.
Gifford Foundation Inc is led by Charles Gifford, President since 2023 (on filings since 2019); none of the 9 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Charles Gifford
President
Board Member → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jessie Shestack
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Michele Van Deventer
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Sanford Gifford
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Madeline W. Brush
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Theodore A. Gifford
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Thomas P. Brush
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Victoria Shestack Aronoff
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
William Brush
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Theo Gifford (2022) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Gifford Foundation Inc
How much does Gifford Foundation Inc give each year?
Gifford Foundation Inc gave $87K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $65K across 15 grants.
What is Gifford Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Gifford Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $5,438, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Gifford Foundation Inc that year got $1K on average.
Where does Gifford Foundation Inc give grants?
Gifford Foundation Inc gives mostly in Nebraska: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (4 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Gifford Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Gifford Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Gifford Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Gifford Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Joslyn Art Museum ($50,000), Nature Conservancy ($15,000) and Museum of Nebraska Art ($5,515), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Gifford Foundation Inc?
Gifford Foundation Inc reported $949K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $87K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $77K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Gifford Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s filings do not state a mission. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gifford Foundation Inc?
The 2025 filing lists Charles Gifford as the contact. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gifford Foundation Inc's EIN?
Gifford Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6025084. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 28, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 12, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
Live grants for the work Gifford Foundation Inc funds
Health Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gifford Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Nebraska
The Sherwood Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Sherwood Foundation funds equity and social-justice work in Nebraska, with a focus on urban and rural community partnerships and early childhood education; it supports operating, program, and capital needs. Its 2025 grants had a median of $90,000, though awards varied widely. It does not accept unsolicited requests and uses an invitation-only application process.
Assets
$977.8M
Grants
790
Total Given
$296.3M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Lozier Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Lozier Foundation funds education, women and girls, North Omaha initiatives, and human services, with a focus on underrepresented communities in the Omaha metro area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $450 to $2 million, with a median of about $38,000; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests and contributes to preselected organizations.
Assets
$437.1M
Grants
450
Total Given
$49.2M
Union Pacific Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Union Pacific Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Union Pacific communities, prioritizing direct services and organizational capacity in safety, workforce development, community and public spaces, and local needs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $600,000, with a median of $10,000; it accepts online applications during designated periods.
Assets
$75K
Grants
441
Total Given
$8.2M
The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
Omaha, NE
The foundation funds Nebraska college scholarships and charitable organizations, particularly in reproductive and international health; its 2025 grants had a median of about $603,000, with awards ranging from $3,425 to $80.5 million. Its grants reach organizations in the U.S. and internationally, while scholarships are limited to eligible Nebraska students attending Nebraska public colleges. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.7B
Grants
417
Total Given
$1.5B
Nebraska Community Foundation
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska Community Foundation supports community development, arts and culture, education, health, recreation, and other local priorities, primarily through grants made by its affiliated funds. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,250 to $956,500, with a median of $17,139; funding is focused statewide in Nebraska, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$277.7M
Grants
409
Total Given
$16.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Nebraska
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gifford Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gifford-foundation-inc-morg_4543950fa2d74d81ae8471011a2830b6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_476025084_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gifford Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gifford-foundation-inc-morg_4543950fa2d74d81ae8471011a2830b6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Gifford Foundation Inc'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.
Gifford Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?