Lincoln Community Foundation Inc logo

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Lincoln, NE EIN: 47-0458128 Website

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Lincoln, Nebraska, formed in 1955. It connects donor generosity to local needs and supports nonprofit organizations through grants and other forms of financial and operational support.

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Lincoln Community Foundation Inc gave $21.9M across 379 grants in 2024 (avg $58K), mostly in Nebraska. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$21,923,709
+5.4% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
379
+1.1% vs 2023
Average grant
$57,846
+4.3% vs 2023
Median grant
$23,420
Total assets
$250,925,261
+18.7% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
20% first-time grantees (74 of 379, 2024)
Primary geography
Nebraska (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Lincoln Community Foundation Inc

How to Apply

Submit an Open Door Grant application through the foundation’s online application process. Applications are accepted throughout the year and reviewed monthly.

Review Cycle
November 30, 2026, the final day to submit an application in the year.
Deadline
November 30, 2026, the final day to submit an application in the year.
Contact

Mailing address: 215 Centennial Mall S Ste 100, Lincoln, NE 68508-1885
Phone: (402) 474-2345
Website: https://lcf.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Lincoln Community Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

University of Nebraska Foundation: $1.6MUniversity of NebraskaFoundation$1.6MThe 1890 Foundation: $1.0MThe 1890 Foundation$1.0MSt Joseph Catholic Church (Lincoln NE): $867KSt Joseph Catholic Church(Lincoln NE)$867KFood Bank of Lincoln: $597KFood Bank of Lincoln$597KSandhills Global Lincoln Youth Complex: $552KSandhills Global Lincoln YouthComplex$552KMadonna Foundation: $453KMadonna Foundation$453KCenter for People: $417KCenter for People$417KCedars: $374KCedars$374KLincoln Parks Foundation: $330KLincoln Parks Foundation$330KMatt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach: $314KMatt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach$314K

The largest 2024 recipient was University of Nebraska Foundation ($1.6M). Together the top 10 received $6.5M.

Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,371), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

1,865 grants across all recorded years

1459<$50K207$50–100K152$100–250K30$250–500K11$500K–1M6$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,459 grants of 1,865 (78%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Open Door Grants program serves organizations located in or providing services in Lincoln/Lancaster County, Nebraska. In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska.

Grant Distribution by State

36states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 379 itemized grants.

Cities

LincolnOmahaNew YorkWaverlySewardDentonWashingtonChicagoHastingsRocaColorado SpringsHickmanSaint LouisWaltonCreteFremontMemphisAtlantaKansas CityMilford

Is Lincoln Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

20%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 74 of 379 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $47K; repeat grants $61K. How we count

Medians: $14K first-time, $25K repeat.

  • 69% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 44% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2018–2024). 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

$0$10M$20M$30M351 grants2018 384 grants2019 432 grants2020 341 grants2021 338 grants2022 375 grants2023 379 grants2024

From 2018 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12.2M (2018) to $21.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 379 grants totaling $21.9M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NECollege of Engr, Raikes School, Library, General purposes, Scholarships$1,585,362
The 1890 Foundation Lincoln, NEGeneral support$1,000,000
St Joseph Catholic Church (Lincoln NE) Lincoln, NEGeneral support$867,056
Food Bank of Lincoln Lincoln, NEGeneral support$597,186
Sandhills Global Lincoln Youth Complex Lincoln, NEBaseball/softball fields and general support$551,675
Madonna Foundation Lincoln, NEGeneral support$453,111
Center for People Lincoln, NEGeneral support$416,971
Cedars Lincoln, NEGeneral support$373,878
Lincoln Parks Foundation Lincoln, NEBike trail renovation, bridge and general support$330,108
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach Lincoln, NEGeneral support$314,001
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$250,925,261$51,853,036$29,146,233$21,923,709379$6,628,157
2023$211,371,387$38,435,421$27,734,589$20,794,521375$5,880,908
2022$185,840,105$31,581,187$23,989,472$13,854,714338$6,018,841
2021$206,750,939$51,197,578$26,161,472$15,212,101341$4,899,942
2020$161,472,860$29,470,305$25,998,225$20,041,685432$3,052,618
2019$149,613,883$30,107,215$21,383,712$17,354,758384$4,694,314
2018$126,756,115$21,097,645$16,108,082$12,170,915351$3,978,161

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s mission is “Inspiring our community to give, act, and lead.” Its Open Door Grants can support operations, programs, or capital projects in arts and culture, community improvement, education and youth, environment and animals, and health and human services.

Examples of 2024 grantees include the Food Bank of Lincoln, whose stated mission is to meet emergency food needs across 16 southeast Nebraska counties, and Center for People in Need, which says it provides services to low-income people to address basic needs and support economic independence. The University of Nebraska Foundation says it grows relationships and resources to enable the University of Nebraska to change and save lives.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 379 grants totaling $21,923,709. Grant amounts ranged from $5,027 to $1,585,362, with a median grant of $23,420.

Among its largest reported 2024 grants were $1,585,362 to the University of Nebraska Foundation for the College of Engineering, Raikes School, library, general purposes, and scholarships; $1,000,000 to The 1890 Foundation for general support; and $867,056 to St Joseph Catholic Church for general support. Other notable grants included $597,186 to Food Bank of Lincoln for general support, $551,675 to Sandhills Global Lincoln Youth Complex for baseball and softball fields and general support, and $453,111 to Madonna Foundation for general support.

Open Door Grants provide flexible operating and program support, including for capital projects, to eligible Lancaster County nonprofit partners. The foundation accepts applications throughout the year and reviews them monthly. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities or other organizations recognized by the IRS as eligible to receive tax-deductible gifts, and must be located in or provide services in Lincoln/Lancaster County, Nebraska. Awards are capped at $20,000. Organizations may apply once per calendar year and may choose when to apply based on their fiscal calendar. The application process requires an account to save and submit an application; financial statements are requested, and a simple evaluation is due one year after an award. The foundation excludes organizations that discriminate on the listed grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, creed, or ethnic group, and does not consider applications for religious or political purposes.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Mark Hesser as Board Chair, Lauren Pugliese as Board Vice Chair, Ryan Beckman as Treasurer, and Jasmine Kingsley as Corporate Secretary. It also lists Aaron Davis, Aaron Hilkemann, Ben Kiser, Brett Ebert, and Connie Edmond as board members. Linda Major is listed as Corporate Secretary until February 6, 2024.

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc is led by Alec Gorynski, President- since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 5 of 33 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Alec Gorynski

    President-

    President → President-, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $31K (2021) → $200K (2024)

  • Tracy Edgerton

    Vice President-Development & President

    Vp-Development → Vice President-Development, 2023

    Vice President-Development → Vice President-Development & President, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    40 hrs/week

    $102K (2022) → $176K (2024)

  • Mark Hesser

    Board Chair

    Vice Chair → Board Vice Chair, 2023

    Board Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Scott Lawson

    Vice President-Finance

    Vice President for Finance → Vice President-Finance, 2023

    On filings since 2018

    40 hrs/week

    $110K (2018) → $156K (2024)

  • Richard DeBuse

    Vice President-Development

    Vice President for Finance → Vp-Development, 2022

    Vp-Development → Vice President-Development, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $117K (2021) → $138K (2024)

  • Sandi Hansen

    Vice President-Development

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $123K (2024)

  • Kim Robak

    Board Member

    Chair → Past Chair, 2022

    Past Chair → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2018

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Linda Major

    Corporate Secretary -

    Secretary → Corporate Secretary, 2023

    Corporate Secretary → Corporate Secretary -, 2024

    On filings since 2018

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Marilyn Moore

    Board Member- Past Chair

    Chair → Board Chair, 2023

    Board Chair → Board Member- Past Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2018

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Pam Hunzeker

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2018

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Meg Lauerman

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Preeta Bansal

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ryan Beckman

    Treasurer

    Director → Treasurer, 2020

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Aaron Davis

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dan Marvin

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Diane Temme Stinton

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jasmine Kingsley

    Corporate Secretary

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    Board Member → Corporate Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michael Ferris

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ronnie Green

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Aaron Hilkemann

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Connie Edmond

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Marco Barker

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sandra Washington

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Eric Buchanan

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kile Johnson

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lauren Pugliese

    Board Vice Chair

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    Board Member → Board Vice Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Susie Keisler-Munro

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ben Kiser

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Juan Carlos Huertas

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Makenzie Rath

    Board Member

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brett Ebert

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rhonda Seacrest

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Suzanne Blue

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (38)
  • Former: Mike Boyle (2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Steve Schaffer (2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Anthony Goins (2018–2022) — Director · Filing note: Thru 222
  • Former: Diane Mendenhall (2018–2022) — Vp-Development · Filing note: Thru 219
  • Former: Jay Wilkinson (2018–2022) — Director · Filing note: Thru 222
  • Former: Jeff Noordhoek (2018–2022) — Director · Filing note: Thru 222
  • Former: Jenny Tricker (2018–2022) — Director
  • Former: Kush Abdulloev (2018–2022) — Director
  • Former: Leirion Gaylor Baird (2018–2022) — Director
  • Former: Martha Florence (2018–2022) — Director
  • Former: Sushil Lacy (2018–2022) — Director · Filing note: Thru 222
  • Former: Thomas Smith (2018–2022) — Director · Filing note: Thru 222
  • Former: Tim Clare (2018–2022) — Director · Filing note: Thru 222
  • Former: Miki Esposito (2019–2022) — Director · Filing note: Thru 222
  • Former: Joey Hausmann (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Ava Thomas (2018–2021) — Director · Filing note: Thru 221
  • Former: Barbara Bartle (2018–2021) — President
  • Former: Clay Smith (2018–2021) — Director · Filing note: Thru 221
  • Former: Lee Stuart (2018–2021) — Director · Filing note: Thru 221
  • Former: Mark Walz (2018–2021) — Director · Filing note: Thru 220
  • Former: Joann Martin (2020–2021) — Director · Filing note: Thru 721
  • Former: Anthony Messineo (2018–2020) — Director · Filing note: Thru 220
  • Former: Dan Vokoun (2018–2020) — Director · Filing note: Thru 220
  • Former: Helen Raikes (2018–2020) — Director · Filing note: Thru 220
  • Former: Kimberly Rath (2018–2020) — Director · Filing note: Thru 220
  • Former: Robert Scott (2018–2020) — Director · Filing note: Thru 220
  • Former: Bill Cintani (2018–2019) — Past Chair
  • Former: Connie Duncan (2018–2019) — Director · Filing note: Thru 219
  • Former: David Landis (2018–2019) — Director · Filing note: Thru 219
  • Former: Debra Schorr (2018–2019) — Director · Filing note: Thru 219
  • Former: Donde Plowman (2018–2019) — Director · Filing note: Thru 219
  • Former: Gene Stohs (2018–2019) — Director · Filing note: Thru 219
  • Former: Paula Metcalf (2018–2019) — Vice President for Gift Planning
  • Former: Robert Caldwell (2018–2019) — Director · Filing note: Thru 219
  • Former: Jennifer Brinkman (2019) — Director
  • Former: Micheal Ferris (2019) — Director
  • Former: John Dittman (2018) — Director · Filing note: Thru feb 2018
  • Former: Randy Haas (2018) — Director · Filing note: Thru feb 2018

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2024. "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

Alec Gorynski — President- until 8/2/2024: $200KAlec GorynskiPresident- until 8/2/2024$200KTracy Edgerton — Vice Pres-Development and President Beg 8/2/2024: $176KTracy EdgertonVice Pres-Development and…$176KScott Lawson — Vice President-Finance: $156KScott LawsonVice President-Finance$156KRichard DeBuse — Vice Pres-Development: $138KRichard DeBuseVice Pres-Development$138KSandi Hansen — Vice Pres-Development: $123KSandi HansenVice Pres-Development$123K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $200K, to Alec Gorynski (President- until 8/2/2024). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Lincoln Community Foundation Inc

How much does Lincoln Community Foundation Inc give each year?

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc gave $21.9M across 379 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $20.8M across 375 grants.

What is Lincoln Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $23,420, and its average grant was $57,846, across 379 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lincoln Community Foundation Inc that year got $47K on average.

Where does Lincoln Community Foundation Inc give grants?

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Nebraska: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lincoln, NE (253 grants), Omaha, NE (25 grants), Beatrice, NE (4 grants) and Seward, NE (3 grants).

Does Lincoln Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 96% of Lincoln Community Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (365 of 379) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (11 grants).

Who are Lincoln Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include University of Nebraska Foundation ($1,585,362), The 1890 Foundation ($1,000,000) and St Joseph Catholic Church (Lincoln NE) ($867,056), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,371), which are not listed by name. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Lincoln Community Foundation Inc?

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc reported $250.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $51.9M.

What does Lincoln Community Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation’s mission is “Inspiring our community to give, act, and lead.” Its Open Door Grants can support operations, programs, or capital projects in arts and culture, community improvement, education and youth, environment and animals, and health and human services. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Lincoln Community Foundation Inc?

Submit an Open Door Grant application through the foundation’s online application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Lincoln Community Foundation Inc's EIN?

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0458128. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

Data update history

(8)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS May 10, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 10, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
  7. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
  8. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Lincoln Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lincoln-community-foundation-inc-morg_27b9435ee53846a2b477225c0d560f87

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_470458128_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Lincoln Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/lincoln-community-foundation-inc-morg_27b9435ee53846a2b477225c0d560f87},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-07. 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 Lincoln Community 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.

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