Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable
The Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable Foundation is a private foundation established in 1991 and based in Omaha, Nebraska. Operating as a family foundation, it has distributed over $81 million through 965 grants since its inception, with a focus on supporting charitable organizations and community-based programs in its primary service areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$9.5M
-7.0% YoY
Grant Count
80
-13.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$118K
+7.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to develop relations with charitable organizations in Omaha, Nebraska and Stanwood, Washington—including their surrounding communities—that serve local needs in education, family, health, and environment.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Family services
- Health
- Environment
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
- Human services
- Youth academic and mentorship programs
- Workforce education and innovation
- Workforce development
- Women's health research
- Housing and supportive services
- Food insecurity and homeless support
Grantmaking
The foundation made 110 grants in 2023, with total giving of $10,301,964. Notable recent grants include:
Grant Range
& Range:**
Average Grant
amount varies by program
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation concentrates 100% of its funding in two primary geographic areas:
- Omaha, Nebraska and surrounding communities
- Stanwood, Washington and surrounding communities
The foundation also has documented funding activity in Michigan and Washington state.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (as of 2023):
- Total assets: $49,476,239
- Total giving: $10,301,964
- Total revenue: $3,914,527
- Total expenses: $10,664,728
- Giving rate: 20.0%
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Food Bank for the Heartland ($826,926), Community Foundation of Snohomish County ($420,000), Completely Kids ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABIDE OMAHA OMAHA, NE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $68,000 |
| ANGELS AMONG US OMAHA, NE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ARLINGTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION ARLINGTON, WA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ARLINGTON KIDS' KLOSET ARLINGTON, WA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ARROWHEAD RANCH FOUNDATION CAMANO, WA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $36,000 |
| ASSITANCE LEAGUE OF OMAHA OMAHA, NE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $43,000 |
| AVENUE SCHOLARS OMAHA, NE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| BANISTER'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY OMAHA, NE | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $53,000 |
| BIKE WORKS SEATTLE, WA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| BLACK HEALING FUND SNOHOMISH, WA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- David Olson – Chairman of the Board/President
- Karen Olson – Vice President
- Nancy Olson – Treasurer
- Christian Olson – Vice President
- Kendra Swanson – Secretary
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN OLSON | PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| KAREN OLSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DAVID OLSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| NANCY OLSON | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| KENDRA SWANSON | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| MITCH SWANSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LYNN SCOTT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CATHERINE OLSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported numerous community initiatives including:
**Little Arrowhead Nature Explore (L.A.N.E.)** on Camano Island, Washington
**Connect Casino Road** program in Everett, Washington
**Kindergarten Readiness Initiative** in Stanwood, Washington
Ongoing support for organizations serving homeless populations, youth mentorship programs, and educational initiatives in its primary service areas
The foundation has been recognized for its sustained commitment to local organizations, with grantees noting the foundation's unwavering support for programs addressing homelessness, youth mentorship, and community development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable fund?
The foundation's mission is to develop relations with charitable organizations in Omaha, Nebraska and Stanwood, Washington—including their surrounding communities—that serve local needs in education, family, health, and environment. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Family services • Health • Environment • Philanthropy and grantmaking • Human services • Youth academic and mentorship programs • Workforce education and innovation • Workforce development • Women's health research …
How do I apply for a grant from Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable?
**Grant Size & Range:** • Typical awards range from $400 to $1,150,000 • Median grant amount: $35,000 • Average grant amount varies by program **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 110 grants in 2023, with total giving of $10,301,964. Notable recent grants include: • Stanwood Camano Area Foundation: $1,026,276 (General Funds) • Omaha Public Schools Foundation: $702,175 • University of Nebraska Foundation: $432,854 **Grant Programs:** • General Funds (average $103,701; 45 recipients) • …
Where does Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable make grants?
The foundation concentrates 100% of its funding in two primary geographic areas: • Omaha, Nebraska and surrounding communities • Stanwood, Washington and surrounding communities The foundation also has documented funding activity in Michigan and Washington state.
What size grants does Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable award?
In 2024, Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable awarded 80 grants totaling $9.5M — an average of about $118K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable's EIN?
Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0748772. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Bryan Hospital Kearney
KEARNEY, NE
Assets
$384.9M
Grants
2
Total Given
$11K
Johnson Student Scholarship & Loan
ORD, NE
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
LINCOLN, NE
Assets
$483.9M
Grants
6
Total Given
$546K
The Charles and Mary Heider
OMAHA, NE
Assets
—
Grants
151
Total Given
$30.8M
Phillip and Terri Schrager Foundation
OMAHA, NE
Assets
$740K
Grants
32
Total Given
$1.2M
Fraternal Ord of Eagles Aerie 592
HASTINGS, NE
Assets
$134K
Grants
1
Total Given
$8K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Leland J & Dorothy H Olson Charitable to a real strategy.