Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation
Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable is a private foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. It made 21 grants totaling $67,830 in 2024, supporting organizations in Nebraska and several other states.
Key facts about Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation
In short: Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation gave $68K across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Nebraska. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 20-6261070
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $67,830
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- Average grant
- $3,230
- Median grant
- $3,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (4 of 21, 2024)
- Total assets
- $582,300
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (83% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$582K
-5.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$68K
+1.6% YoY
Grant Count
21
+10.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-8.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $76K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 21 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $600 first-time, $3K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 53% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% 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 (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose work, as described by the organizations themselves, includes emergency food assistance, help for families of children with cancer, and programs for children, adults, and families.
For example, the Food Bank of Lincoln says it meets emergency food needs across 16 counties in southeast Nebraska and distributes food to nonprofit partner agencies. Angels Among Us says it helps families of children battling cancer with financial assistance, community, and resources. The YMCA of Greater Omaha describes its work as focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave 21 grants totaling $67,830. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $10,000, with a median grant of $3,000.
Its largest 2024 grants included $10,000 each to Boys Town and Spirit Catholic Radio; $5,000 to St Patricks Grade School; and $4,000 each to Newman Catholic Student Center, Polish Heritage Center, St Stephen the Martyr, and St Stanislaus. Other grants included $3,500 to Goodfellows; $3,000 each to St Cecelia Cathedral Grade School, Angels Among Us, Food Bank of Lincoln, and Cross Catholic Outreach; and $1,000 to Open Door Mission.
How to Apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Ready to take the next step with Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska. The remaining shares went to Iowa (6%), Florida (4%), Illinois (4%), and New Jersey (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $67K (2023) to $176K (2022). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $68K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Boys Town ($10K). Together the top 10 received $51K.
Grant Size Distribution
155 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 155 grants of 155 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys Town Boys Town, NE | general | $10,000 |
| Spirit Catholic Radio Omaha, NE | general | $10,000 |
| St Patricks Grade School Elkhorn, NE | general | $5,000 |
| Newman Catholic Student Center Mason City, IA | general | $4,000 |
| Polish Heritage Center Papillion, NE | general | $4,000 |
| St Stephen the Martyr Omaha, NE | general | $4,000 |
| St Stanislaus Omaha, NE | general | $4,000 |
| Goodfellows Omaha, NE | general | $3,500 |
| St Cecelia Cathedral Grade School Omaha, NE | general | $3,000 |
| Angels Among Us Omaha, NE | general | $3,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $582,300 | $55,304 | $90,636 | $67,830 | 21 |
| 2023 | $617,632 | $53,883 | $127,967 | $66,780 | 19 |
| 2022 | $2,029,069 | $68,444 | $247,858 | $176,000 | 40 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $582,300 | $617,632 | $2,029,069 |
| Revenue | $55,304 | $53,883 | $68,444 |
| Expenses | $90,636 | $127,967 | $247,858 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $67,830 | $66,780 | $176,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $32,498 | — | $3,340 |
| Distributable Amount | $75,733 | $66,876 | $195,394 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Patrick Nowak was listed as a trustee on the 2024 filing.
Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation is led by Patrick Nowak, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Patrick Nowak
Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$18K (2020) → $21K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $21K, to Patrick Nowak (Trustee).
Contact
Mailing address: 6302 S 174Th St, Omaha, NE 68135
Frequently asked questions about Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation
How much does Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation give each year?
Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation gave $68K across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $67K across 19 grants.
What is Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,000, and its average grant was $3,230, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation give grants?
Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Iowa (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (9 grants) and Lincoln, NE (2 grants).
Does Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Boys Town ($10,000), Spirit Catholic Radio ($10,000) and St Patricks Grade School ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation?
Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation reported $582K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $68K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $76K (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 Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose work, as described by the organizations themselves, includes emergency food assistance, help for families of children with cancer, and programs for children, adults, and families. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-6261070. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Leonard and Esther Nowak Charitable 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.
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