Nebraska Children & Families Foundation
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 1997 and headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. The organization operates as a pass-through funder and community-centered grantmaker dedicated to strengthening Nebraska's children, youth, and families. The foundation brings together public and private sectors throughout the state to prevent problems that threaten child well-being and promote positive outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$54.0M
+3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$22.1M
-24.2% YoY
Grant Count
141
-11.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$157K
-14.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: Nebraska Children and Families Foundation maximizes the potential of Nebraska's children, youth, and families through collaboration and community-centered impact. The foundation creates positive change for Nebraska's children through community engagement by building partnerships, sharing data, implementing best practices in communities, and influencing administrative and legislative policies. The organization also promotes public education and awareness of issues impacting children and families throughout their lifespan.
Primary Program Areas:
Early Childhood Development: Develops and supports a comprehensive and integrated system of early childhood care and education that provides children from vulnerable families with opportunities to establish a strong foundation for learning. Partners with communities to implement evidence-based practices that enhance social-emotional development of children from birth through age 8. The foundation oversees 31 Sixpence Early Learning programs serving more than 1,000 at-risk babies and toddlers across the state.
Child Well-Being Communities: Assists in the development of child well-being communities to make progress on child well-being indicators. These are community-owned collaborations that seek to optimize the prevention of adverse childhood experiences by actively promoting protective factors within the community context, across the community prevention system, and through parent-child interactions. The foundation has implemented Community Based Prevention Systems in seven Nebraska communities.
Connected Youth Communities: The Connected Youth Initiative (CYI) is an innovative, youth-led initiative focused on building supports for unconnected youth and connecting the unconnected.
Grantmaking
The foundation's grant-making focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with primary geographic emphasis on Nebraska, Iowa, and Texas.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates with a statewide Nebraska focus, though some grantmaking extends to Iowa and Texas. The organization works throughout Nebraska to implement community-based prevention systems and early childhood programs.
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $52,215,038–$53,973,821
- Total Revenues: $42,889,789
- Total Expenses: $48,076,402
- Total Giving: $24,367,983
- Annual Giving: $32,488,885
Financial Rating: The foundation holds a Four-Star rating (100% score) from Charity Navigator, demonstrating exceptional financial health, accountability, and transparency across all evaluation categories including Impact & Measurement, Accountability & Finance, Culture & Community, and Leadership & Adaptability.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $53,973,821 | $52,215,038 | $58,798,146 |
| Revenue | $44,062,974 | $42,889,789 | $67,517,081 |
| Expenses | $43,709,118 | $48,076,402 | $68,447,047 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,368,616 | $1,203,622 | $555,822 |
| 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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Central Plains Center for Services ($3,680,275), Board of Regents University of Nebraska ($933,784), Bridge Family Resource Center ($698,133).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTIVE COMMUNITY TEAM OF SANDERS | OPERATING EXPENSES | $12,451 |
| AINSWORTH CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER | OPERATING EXPENSES | $55,722 |
| ALLIANCE RECREATION | OPERATING EXPENSES | $42,750 |
| ASHLAND-GREENWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | OPERATING EXPENSES | $60,093 |
| AUBURN PUBLIC SCHOOLS | OPERATING EXPENSES | $264,030 |
| BANCROFT-ROSALIE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | OPERATING EXPENSES | $14,234 |
| BAYARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | OPERATING EXPENSES | $30,290 |
| BLUE HILL EARLY LEARNING CENTER | OPERATING EXPENSES | $8,417 |
| BOARD OF REGENTS UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $933,784 |
| BOONE BEGINNINGS | OPERATING EXPENSES | $10,442 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President/CEO: Mary Jo Pankoke
Staff: The foundation employs 125 staff members as of 2023.
Marketing Contact: Brenda Weyers, VP Marketing
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR LAWRENCE CHATTERS | CHAIR | 6 | — |
| ANNE STEINHOFF | PAST CHAIR | 2 | — |
| LAURA LANGFORD | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JASON HAGAN | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| MIKE WORTMAN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JOHN W EWING JR | DIRECTOR THRU 07/24 | 1 | — |
| LILIANA BRONNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOYCE DAVIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAN MAUK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MIKE MCQUILLAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MOLLY O'HOLLERAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANIEL PADILLA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR MATT WHITTRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CANDIAS JONES | DIRECTOR THRU 08/24 | 1 | — |
| CAROL RUSSELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BEN WATSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TJ MCDOWELL | DIRECTOR THRU 05/24 | 1 | — |
| SUZANNA KOTULA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDREW MCCARTHY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR DOUG CHRISTENSEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MELANIE PARKER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GAYE LYNN SCHAFFART | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DR LANGSTON FRISON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SETH CARLSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARY JO PANKOKE | PRESIDENT | 50 | $218,742 |
| KEVIN CLOONAN | CFO | 50 | $185,157 |
| JENNIFER SKALA | EVP | 50 | $188,371 |
| JOSHUA CRAMER | EVP | 50 | $171,784 |
| JASON PROKOP | DIRECTOR FIRST FIVE NEBR | 40 | $149,478 |
| SARA RIFFEL | SENIOR VP | 40 | $132,084 |
| BOB HOMAN | GENERAL COUNSEL | 40 | $133,960 |
| LORI NEBELSICK-GULLETT | CHIEF SCIENTIST EVALUATION | 40 | $128,663 |
| DR MARQUISHA FROST | SENIOR VP STRATEGIC ENG | 40 | $148,464 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation received a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Receives $2.2M Grant from US DepartmentThe foundation was a sub-recipient of the "Support for Youth Victims of Human Trafficking in Nebraska" grant
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Receives $2.2M Grant from US DepartmentThe foundation received recognition through the Grace Abbott Award presented by the Annie E. Casey Foundation
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Receives $2.2M Grant from US DepartmentThe foundation has been involved in supporting trauma training for schools and child care center licensing toolkit development
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Receives $2.2M Grant from US DepartmentSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nebraska Children & Families Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** Nebraska Children and Families Foundation maximizes the potential of Nebraska's children, youth, and families through collaboration and community-centered impact. The foundation creates positive change for Nebraska's children through community engagement by building partnerships, sharing data, implementing best practices in communities, and influencing administrative and legislative policies. The organization also promotes public education and awareness of issues impactin…
How do I apply for a grant from Nebraska Children & Families Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2023, the foundation made 159 grants totaling $32,488,885 • Since inception, the foundation has secured nearly 400 grants and contracts and awarded over $8 million to communities throughout Nebraska • Typical award range: $5,200–$4,624,787 **Funding Focus:** The foundation's grant-making focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with primary geographic emphasis on Nebraska, Iowa, and Texas.
Where does Nebraska Children & Families Foundation make grants?
The foundation operates with a statewide Nebraska focus, though some grantmaking extends to Iowa and Texas. The organization works throughout Nebraska to implement community-based prevention systems and early childhood programs.
What size grants does Nebraska Children & Families Foundation award?
In 2024, Nebraska Children & Families Foundation awarded 141 grants totaling $22.1M — an average of about $157K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Nebraska Children & Families Foundation's EIN?
Nebraska Children & Families Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1829974. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Nebraska Children & Families 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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