James M Cox Foundation
James M Cox Foundation is a private foundation based in Eagan, Minnesota. Its 2025 filing describes scholarships of $1,000 for high school seniors attending college or trade school who are in the eastern third of Nebraska.
James M Cox Foundation at a glance
In short: James M Cox Foundation gave $121K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $121,000
- +10.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,722
- +10.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $2,125,918
- +9.8% vs 2024
- 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.
How to apply to James M Cox Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Application forms are available upon request. The scholarship is for high school seniors attending college or trade school who are in the eastern third of Nebraska; the stated award amount is $1,000.
- Review Cycle
- April 1. This deadline is past as of September 28, 2026.
- Deadline
- April 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Norman Otto James M Cox Foundation
Mailing address: 1500 Kingston Road, Lincoln, NE 68506
Phone: (402) 488-1951
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James M Cox Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Nebraska-Lincoln ($26K). Together the top 10 received $101K.
Grant Size Distribution
91 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 91 grants of 91 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing states that scholarship applicants must be in the eastern third of Nebraska. In 2025, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska; the remaining grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio (4%), Pennsylvania (4%), and Iowa (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
How James M Cox Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 131% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $91K (2021) to $121K (2025). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $121K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE | Scholarship | $26,000 |
| Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE | Scholarship | $17,000 |
| University of Nebraska Omaha Omaha, NE | Scholarship | $16,000 |
| Wayne State College Wayne, NE | Scholarship | $8,000 |
| Southeast Community College Milford, NE | Scholarship | $8,000 |
| Metro Community College Omaha, NE | Scholarship | $6,000 |
| Nebraska Children's Home Omaha, NE | Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Hamilton Community Foundation Hamilton, OH | General Operating | $5,000 |
| Grace Childrens Home Henderson, NE | Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Out of Poverty Levittown, PA | General Operating | $5,000 |
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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 | $2,125,918 | $349,238 | $160,059 | $121,000 | 18 | $140,285 | $329,080 | $106,867 |
| 2024 | $1,936,798 | $117,816 | $148,998 | $110,000 | 18 | $130,439 | $93,593 | $109,059 |
| 2023 | $1,964,718 | $95,101 | $157,930 | $108,560 | 14 | $128,289 | $76,810 | $102,597 |
| 2022 | $2,025,559 | $541,740 | $147,579 | $106,700 | 19 | $126,720 | $524,738 | $104,065 |
| 2021 | $1,629,130 | $204,975 | $130,184 | $90,775 | 22 | $111,760 | $185,752 | $124,728 |
| 2020 | $1,551,576 | $98,816 | $146,934 | $111,331 | 26 | — | $81,456 | $105,691 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James M Cox Foundation reported a distributable amount of $107K 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 mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants were predominantly for scholarships. The foundation also made grants for general operating support.
Among its education grantees, Northeast Community College Foundation says its purpose is to help the college advance its educational goals and provide financial support to students for tuition and other fees. Southeast Community College’s foundation describes its mission as supporting the college’s vitality and growth and creating educational opportunities. Doane University says it provides liberal-arts educational experiences to prepare students for careers and lives grounded in inquiry, ethics, and service. These are the grantees’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 18 grants totaling $121,000. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $26,000, with a median of $5,000. The largest listed awards included $26,000 to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, $17,000 to Northeast Community College, $16,000 to the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and $8,000 each to Wayne State College and Southeast Community College; each was designated for scholarships. Other listed grants included $5,000 for general operating support to Hamilton Community Foundation and $5,000 for general operating support to Out of Poverty.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists US Bank N A as trustee.
James M Cox Foundation's only listed officer is US Bank N A, Trustee on filings since 2020 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
US Bank N A
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$31K (2020) → $35K (2025)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Jim Otto (2020–2024) — Co-President
- Former: Patrick A. Grewe (2020–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Ronald C. Jensen (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Steve C. Otto (2020–2024) — Co-President
- Former: US Bank NA (2023–2024) — Trustee
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 $35K, to US Bank N a (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about James M Cox Foundation
How much does James M Cox Foundation give each year?
James M Cox Foundation gave $121K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $110K across 18 grants.
What is James M Cox Foundation's typical grant size?
James M Cox Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,722, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does James M Cox Foundation give grants?
James M Cox 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 Omaha, NE (3 grants).
Does James M Cox Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 11% of James M Cox Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (16 grants).
Who are James M Cox Foundation's largest grantees?
James M Cox Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Nebraska-Lincoln ($26,000), Northeast Community College ($17,000) and University of Nebraska Omaha ($16,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is James M Cox Foundation?
James M Cox Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $140K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $107K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does James M Cox Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants were predominantly for scholarships. The foundation also made grants for general operating support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James M Cox Foundation?
The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James M Cox Foundation's EIN?
James M Cox Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0719195. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work James M Cox Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James M Cox Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). James M Cox Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-m-cox-foundation-morg_5649a97f5b0940a5af3226c46d3999c0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_470719195_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James M Cox Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-m-cox-foundation-morg_5649a97f5b0940a5af3226c46d3999c0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 James M Cox 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.
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