Lester a Walker Foundation
The Lester A Walker Foundation is a private foundation based in Fremont, Nebraska, established in 1961. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a family foundation with total assets of $2,595,689 as of 2023. The foundation distributes approximately 60 percent of its annual proceeds to the Fremont Area Community Foundation for competitive grants, while maintaining its own independent grantmaking activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.6M
+0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$147K
-3.1% YoY
Grant Count
17
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
-3.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lester a Walker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $157K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation honors the legacy of Lester A. Walker, publisher of the Fremont Tribune from 1939 to 1966. Walker was instrumental in developing journalism programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and mentoring students pursuing careers in the newspaper business. He was recognized for helping to revolutionize the newspaper industry during his tenure.
The foundation supports civic, cultural, educational, health, and welfare purposes. Though the foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus in its public records, recent grants demonstrate support for scholarship funds, community operations, and social services.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 19 grants in 2023, with total grant distributions of approximately $152,000. Recent grants include:
Grant Range
is approximately $8,000 based on recent activity.
Average Grant
is approximately $8,000 based on recent activity.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states, including Arizona, Iowa, Nebraska, and Virginia. Specific cities where the foundation has provided funding include Arlington, Des Moines, Fairfax, Fremont, Gretna, Lincoln, McCook, Omaha, Phoenix, and Scottsdale. A significant portion of funding is directed to the Fremont area, reflecting Walker's emphasis that funds earned in Fremont should benefit the local community.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $2,595,689
- Total Revenues: $151,773
- Total Expenses: $172,003
- Investment Income and Dividends: $73,524
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $78,249
The foundation's expense ratio of 113.3% indicates that expenses exceeded revenues in the most recent year, with the difference covered by asset drawdown. The foundation maintains zero employees and operates with minimal administrative overhead.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,615,843 | $2,595,689 | $2,615,919 |
| Revenue | $192,318 | $151,773 | $174,640 |
| Expenses | $172,164 | $172,003 | $193,359 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $147,386 | $152,091 | $167,002 |
| Net Investment Income | $167,540 | $131,861 | $148,283 |
| Distributable Amount | $157,222 | $147,386 | $152,090 |
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
87 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fremont Area Community Foundat ($94,856), St James Episcopal Church ($10,783), Midland University ($5,928).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY PHOENIX, AZ | CURRENT OPERATIONS | $4,216 |
| ST JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH FREMONT, NE | CURRENT OPERATIONS | $10,783 |
| MIDLAND UNIVERSITY FREMONT, NE | SCHOLARSHIP FUND | $5,928 |
| NEBR INDEP COLLEGE FUND OMAHA, NE | SCHOLARSHIP FUND | $2,371 |
| UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND FAIRFAX, VA | SCHOLARSHIP FUND | $2,371 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD DES MOINES, IA | CURRENT OPERATIONS | $1,186 |
| MCCOOK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO MCCOOK, NE | CURRENT OPERATIONS | $3,557 |
| FREMONT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDAT FREMONT, NE | CURRENT OPERATIONS | $94,856 |
| DODGE CO 4-H FOUNDATION FREMONT, NE | CURRENT OPERATIONS | $1,186 |
| FREMONT AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FREMONT, NE | CURRENT OPERATIONS | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by trustees including Jane Walker and G Michael Wiseman. The First National Bank of Omaha also serves in a trustee capacity. Wiseman and the bank receive compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JANE WALKER | Trustee | — | — |
| G MICHAEL WISEMAN | Trustee | — | $2,804 |
| FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA | Trustee | 1 | $16,501 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to distribute grants through both direct grantmaking and its partnership with the Fremont Area Community Foundation. In 2023, the foundation made 19 grants totaling approximately $152,000. The foundation remains open to new applicants, with approximately 12 percent of new applicants receiving funding in recent years.
Lester A. Walker Fund | FACF - Fremont Area Community FoundationFrequently Asked Questions
What does Lester a Walker Foundation fund?
The foundation honors the legacy of Lester A. Walker, publisher of the Fremont Tribune from 1939 to 1966. Walker was instrumental in developing journalism programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and mentoring students pursuing careers in the newspaper business. He was recognized for helping to revolutionize the newspaper industry during his tenure. The foundation supports civic, cultural, educational, health, and welfare purposes. Though the foundation does not specify particular subject…
How do I apply for a grant from Lester a Walker Foundation?
The foundation made 19 grants in 2023, with total grant distributions of approximately $152,000. Recent grants include: • Midland University: $6,112 (Scholarship Fund) • Rebuilding Together Platte Valley East: $4,728 (Current Operations) • Aid To Adoption of Special Kids Arizona (AASK): $4,345 (Current Operations) The foundation funds both current operations and scholarship programs of various grantees. Average grant size is approximately $8,000 based on recent activity.
Where does Lester a Walker Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports organizations across multiple states, including Arizona, Iowa, Nebraska, and Virginia. Specific cities where the foundation has provided funding include Arlington, Des Moines, Fairfax, Fremont, Gretna, Lincoln, McCook, Omaha, Phoenix, and Scottsdale. A significant portion of funding is directed to the Fremont area, reflecting Walker's emphasis that funds earned in Fremont should benefit the local community.
What size grants does Lester a Walker Foundation award?
In 2024, Lester a Walker Foundation awarded 17 grants totaling $147K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lester a Walker Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lester a Walker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $157K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Lester a Walker Foundation's EIN?
Lester a Walker Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6022547. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lester a Walker Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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