Nelnet Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in LINCOLN, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $15.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grants totaling $2.9M. Net investment income was $732K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.6M
-5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.9M
-4.4% YoY
Grant Count
1
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2.9M
-4.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Nelnet Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Nelnet Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Nelnet Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in LINCOLN, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $15.6M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grants totaling $2.9M. Net investment income was $732K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,624,556 | $16,609,224 | $16,225,922 |
| Revenue | $2,129,205 | $4,055,790 | $5,693,808 |
| Expenses | $2,960,539 | $3,637,981 | $3,602,081 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,858,661 | $2,990,718 | $3,571,025 |
| Net Investment Income | $732,467 | $1,251,500 | $969,578 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,259,333 | $1,180,333 | $1,151,779 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include See ($2,850,214).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SEE LINCOLN, NE | SEE ATTACHMENT 23 & 24 | $2,850,214 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEN KISER | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JIM KRUGER | VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER | 1 | — |
| BILL MUNN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| THOMAS E HENNING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATHY FARRELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KIMBERLY RATH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID GRAFF | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PREETA D BANSAL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL DUNLAP | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW DUNLAP | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ADAM PETERSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JONA VAN DEUN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nelnet Foundation?
Nelnet Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in LINCOLN, NE. It holds $15.6M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Nelnet Foundation?
As of 2024, Nelnet Foundation holds $15.6M in total assets with $2.1M in annual revenue. It awarded 1 grants totaling $2.9M in 2024.
Where does Nelnet Foundation operate?
Nelnet Foundation has awarded grants in Nebraska.
What size grants does Nelnet Foundation award?
In 2024, Nelnet Foundation awarded 1 grants totaling $2.9M — an average of about $2.9M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Nelnet Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Nelnet Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Nelnet Foundation's EIN?
Nelnet Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2202134. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Nelnet Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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