Nebraska Community Foundation
Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) is a public charity based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Established in 1994, it works statewide to help communities use philanthropy and local leadership to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.
Key facts about Nebraska Community Foundation
In short: Nebraska Community Foundation gave $16.7M across 409 grants in 2025 (avg $41K), mostly in Nebraska. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 47-0769903
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $16,696,853
- Grants made (2025)
- 409
- Average grant
- $40,824
- Median grant
- $17,139
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (110 of 398, 2025)
- Total assets
- $277,693,915
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (93% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$277.7M
+8.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.7M
+20.8% YoY
Grant Count
409
+10.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
+9.3% YoY
Is Nebraska Community Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 110 of 398 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $24K; repeat grants $49K. How we count
Medians: $11K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 59% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+13%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). 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
NCF’s mission is to “unleash abundant local assets, inspire charitable giving, and connect ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.” Its stated goals include helping affiliated funds support local progress, using unrestricted endowment payouts to create positive change, and supporting people attraction in Nebraska hometowns.
The 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations and projects. For example, Pender Community Development Inc. describes its mission as promoting rural economic development, including through affordable housing; Omaha Performing Arts Society says it enriches the community through arts and entertainment, education, and community engagement; and Joslyn Art Museum says it brings people together to explore art across time and cultures. Other recipients describe missions involving community health and recreation, civic projects, science and learning, and the preservation of Willa Cather’s legacy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, NCF reported 409 grants totaling $16,696,853. Itemized grants ranged from $5,250 to $956,500, with a median of $17,139.
Among the largest reported grants were $956,500 to Pender Community Development Inc. for a Pender Community Center loan principal payment; $767,694 to the City of Bassett for a community center; $575,000 to Omaha Performing Arts Society; and $560,000 to Joslyn Art Museum for reopening support. Other large grants included $505,000 to Cheyenne County Community Center Foundation for a senior meal program and $500,000 each to Heritage Services for a riverfront project and Omaha Discovery Trust for the Kiewit Discovery Center–Luminarium.
NCF’s website describes impact grantmaking as a process that can involve local fund leaders identifying community needs and deciding how available grant dollars can best support long-term impact. It also provides examples of grant applications and guidelines for affiliated funds. One specific opportunity is the Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund’s library grants for eligible small-town public libraries. Its listed October 1, 2026 deadline has passed. Enhancement grants support library programs and services and require a one-to-one local match; planning grants support accreditation preparation and also require a one-to-one match.
Open Grants
14 open opportunities from Nebraska Community Foundation
Atkinson Community Foundation Fund Grant
Nebraska Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
BCAFF Scholarships: Butler County Clinic Scholarship Grant
Nebraska Community Foundation
Amount
More than US $2,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
BCAFF Scholarships: Charles O. & Grace M. Stoops Scholarship in Agricultural or Environmental Studies Grant
Nebraska Community Foundation
Amount
More than US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Nebraska Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NCF describes its work as statewide, and its 2023 filing says its affiliated funds are located in communities across Nebraska. In filing year 2025, 93% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska. The remaining reported shares went to Colorado (3%), Illinois (1%), Wyoming (1%), and an individual recipient (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 409 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12.2M (2021) to $16.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 409 grants totaling $16.7M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pender Community Development Inc ($957K). Together the top 10 received $5.5M.
Organizations only. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($162,443), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,697 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,441 grants of 1,697 (85%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pender Community Development Inc Pender, NE | Principal Payment Pender Comm Center Loan | $956,500 |
| City of Bassett Bassett, NE | Grant-Community Center | $767,694 |
| Omaha Performing Arts Society Omaha, NE | GRANT | $575,000 |
| Joslyn Art Museum Omaha, NE | Grant for Reopening Support | $560,000 |
| Cheyenne County Community Center Foundation Sidney, NE | Grant-Senior Meal Program | $505,000 |
| Heritage Services Omaha, NE | Riverfront Project Yr 7 of 10 | $500,000 |
| Omaha Discovery Trust Omaha, NE | Kiewit Discovery Center-Luminarium Yr 5 of 5 | $500,000 |
| Discovery Center of Southwest Nebraska McCook, NE | Grant (Close) | $394,051 |
| Willa Cather Foundation Red Cloud, NE | Quarterly Grant Payment | $383,868 |
| YMCA of McCook McCook, NE | Our Town, Our Y, Our Future Campaign | $345,960 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $277,693,915 | $60,942,564 | $40,267,181 | $16,696,853 |
| 2024 | $256,373,144 | $66,506,049 | $36,668,298 | $13,816,636 |
| 2023 | $226,685,574 | $51,510,146 | $53,772,504 | $16,586,902 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $277,693,915 | $256,373,144 | $226,685,574 |
| Revenue | $60,942,564 | $66,506,049 | $51,510,146 |
| Expenses | $40,267,181 | $36,668,298 | $53,772,504 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,579,580 | $2,401,856 | $1,147,206 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Chuck Hibberd as chair and Cindy Huff as vice chair. Directors listed on that filing are Ann Bruntz, Beth Roelfs, Bev Hansen, Dale Dueland, Dan Bahensky, Lisa Smith, Jeff Gerhart, and Jim Welniak.
Nebraska Community Foundation is led by Jeffrey G. Yost, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 7 of 29 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jeffrey G. Yost
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$245K (2021) → $389K (2025)
Chuck Hibberd
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Malek-Madani
Director of Marketing
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$111K (2023) → $113K (2025)
Janny Crotty
Director of Advancement
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$104K (2024) → $121K (2025)
Kimberly Bilder
Director of Legal Affairs
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$110K (2024) → $113K (2025)
Todd Meckelburg
Director of Gift Planning
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$127K (2024) → $134K (2025)
Dale Dueland
Director
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2023
Immediate Past Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Bahensky
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Gerhart
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Miyoshi
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kent Warneke
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan Helberg
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Madison
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Roelfs
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karina Perez
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Engel
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bev Hansen
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Sedlacek
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Welniak
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Sinnett
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Pribbeno
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Bruntz
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Smith
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Kennedy
Cfao
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$196K (2021) → $222K (2025)
Les Long
Controller
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$113K (2023) → $115K (2025)
Cindy Huff
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kiel Vanderveen
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kurt Kruse
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Abbott
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Adam Pavelka (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Jane Moreland (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Kerry Belitz (2021–2024) — COO
- Former: Diane M. Wilson (2021–2023) — Manager of Public & Private Part
- Former: Greg Vasek (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Lynn Roper (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: James Gustafson (2023) — Director of Advancement & Gift
- Former: Kevin Warneke (2023) — Director of Advancement
- Former: Al Steuter (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Brad Bauer (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jim Gustafson (2021–2022) — Director of Advancement & Gift
- Former: Lora Damme (2021–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Sara Coffee Radil (2021) — Director
- Former: Yesenia Peck (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $389K, to Jeffrey G Yost (President and CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 83107, Lincoln, NE 68501-3107
Phone: (402) 323-7330
Website: https://nebcommfound.org
Frequently asked questions about Nebraska Community Foundation
How much does Nebraska Community Foundation give each year?
Nebraska Community Foundation gave $16.7M across 409 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $13.8M across 370 grants.
What is Nebraska Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Nebraska Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $17,139, and its average grant was $40,824, across 409 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Nebraska Community Foundation that year got $24K on average.
Where does Nebraska Community Foundation give grants?
Nebraska Community Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (61 grants), Lincoln, NE (20 grants), McCook, NE (17 grants) and Ogallala, NE (16 grants).
Does Nebraska Community Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Nebraska Community Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 409) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "2024 Impact Grant" (84 grants), "Grant" (41 grants) and "Keith County Big Give Grant" (19 grants).
Who are Nebraska Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Nebraska Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Pender Community Development Inc ($956,500), City of Bassett ($767,694) and Omaha Performing Arts Society ($575,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($162,443), which are not listed by name. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Nebraska Community Foundation?
Nebraska Community Foundation reported $277.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $60.9M.
What does Nebraska Community Foundation fund?
NCF’s mission is to “unleash abundant local assets, inspire charitable giving, and connect ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Nebraska Community Foundation?
Nebraska Community Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check nebcommfound.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Nebraska Community Foundation's EIN?
Nebraska Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0769903. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Nebraska Community Foundation by hand.
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Nebraska Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?