OEA Foundation Inc
OEA Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. Established in 1964 as the educational and charitable arm of the Omaha Education Association, it supports scholarships for high school graduates.
OEA Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: OEA Foundation Inc gave $373K across 78 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $373,450
- -2.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 78
- +1.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,788
- -3.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,000
- Total assets
- $5,962,873
- +6.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (93% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to OEA Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The 2023 filing says applicants should contact Linda Richter. It describes the foundation’s scholarship history and notes that some winners are chosen by their high schools, but does not specify application materials. The filing states that the deadline is in March and that the specific date changes each year.
- Contact
Application contact: Linda Richter
Mailing address: 4202 South 57 Street, Omaha, NE 68117-1349
Phone: (402) 346-0400
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who OEA Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Christian Neba Tamanji ($5K).
Organizations only. It also paid 77 individual scholarships ($368,450), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
388 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 388 grants of 388 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska and 7% to recipients in Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 78 itemized grants.
Cities
How OEA Foundation Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 130% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $373K (2025) to $402K (2020). In 2025 it made 78 grants totaling $373K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 49 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $337,250 |
| Christian Neba Tamanji Omaha, NE | Scholarship | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with OEA Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,962,873 | $491,410 | $396,304 | $373,450 | 78 | $373,450 | $463,970 | $287,471 |
| 2024 | $5,622,767 | $504,447 | $420,379 | $382,900 | 77 | $382,900 | $468,209 | $265,926 |
| 2023 | $5,170,509 | $427,772 | $420,475 | $384,550 | 79 | $384,550 | $393,189 | $274,958 |
| 2022 | $5,382,828 | $536,520 | $415,375 | $384,300 | 77 | $384,300 | $511,748 | $296,495 |
| 2021 | $6,540,358 | $640,448 | $423,426 | $379,300 | 77 | — | $592,062 | $304,154 |
| 2020 | $5,222,577 | $295,448 | $433,336 | $402,300 | 85 | — | $337,853 | $253,668 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, OEA Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $287K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was established to serve as the educational and charitable arm of the Omaha Education Association. Its 2023 filing describes scholarships for high school graduates, with awards designated either by the foundation or by a scholarship committee at a local school. Scholarship requirements vary according to donor stipulations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 78 grants totaling $373,450. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $15,000, with a median award of $4,000. The largest grants listed were scholarships to individual recipients: one award of $15,000, one of $11,000, and ten of $10,000.
The 2023 filing states that many scholarships are designated for specific high schools and that those schools choose the winners. It describes the awards as scholarships of $500 to $11,000 to 77 high school graduates. The filing says there are no restrictions on awards, while also noting that scholarship requirements vary by donor stipulation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Liz Rea as president; Walta Sue Dodd as vice-president; Doreen Jankovich as secretary; and Susan Kalina, Carol Krejci, Hope Smejkal, and Robert Miller as trustees.
OEA Foundation Inc is led by Liz Rea, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Liz Rea
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Krejci
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Kalina
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hope Smejkal
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Miller
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doreen Jankovich
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walta Sue Dodd
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Bob Mc Cune (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Mary Moberg (2020–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about OEA Foundation Inc
How much does OEA Foundation Inc give each year?
OEA Foundation Inc gave $373K across 78 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $383K across 77 grants.
What is OEA Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
OEA Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $4,000, and its average grant was $4,788, across 78 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does OEA Foundation Inc give grants?
OEA Foundation Inc gives mostly in Nebraska: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Iowa (7%).
Does OEA Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 78 grants with a stated purpose on OEA Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (78 grants).
How large is OEA Foundation Inc?
OEA Foundation Inc reported $6.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $373K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $287K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does OEA Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation was established to serve as the educational and charitable arm of the Omaha Education Association. Its 2023 filing describes scholarships for high school graduates, with awards designated either by the foundation or by a scholarship committee at a local school. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from OEA Foundation Inc?
The 2023 filing says applicants should contact Linda Richter. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is OEA Foundation Inc's EIN?
OEA Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0488295. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 24, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in OEA Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Nebraska
The Sherwood Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Sherwood Foundation funds equity and social-justice work in Nebraska, with a focus on urban and rural community partnerships and early childhood education; it supports operating, program, and capital needs. Its 2025 grants had a median of $90,000, though awards varied widely. It does not accept unsolicited requests and uses an invitation-only application process.
Assets
$977.8M
Grants
790
Total Given
$296.3M
Union Pacific Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Union Pacific Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Union Pacific communities, prioritizing direct services and organizational capacity in safety, workforce development, community and public spaces, and local needs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $600,000, with a median of $10,000; it accepts online applications during designated periods.
Assets
$75K
Grants
441
Total Given
$8.2M
The Lozier Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Lozier Foundation funds education, women and girls, North Omaha initiatives, and human services, with a focus on underrepresented communities in the Omaha metro area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $450 to $2 million, with a median of about $38,000; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests and contributes to preselected organizations.
Assets
$437.1M
Grants
450
Total Given
$49.2M
The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
Omaha, NE
The foundation funds Nebraska college scholarships and charitable organizations, particularly in reproductive and international health; its 2025 grants had a median of about $603,000, with awards ranging from $3,425 to $80.5 million. Its grants reach organizations in the U.S. and internationally, while scholarships are limited to eligible Nebraska students attending Nebraska public colleges. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.7B
Grants
417
Total Given
$1.5B
Nebraska Community Foundation
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska Community Foundation supports community development, arts and culture, education, health, recreation, and other local priorities, primarily through grants made by its affiliated funds. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,250 to $956,500, with a median of $17,139; funding is focused statewide in Nebraska, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$277.7M
Grants
409
Total Given
$16.7M
Lincoln Community Foundation Inc
Lincoln, NE
Lincoln Community Foundation funds nonprofit operations, programs, and capital projects in arts and culture, community improvement, education and youth, the environment and animals, and health and human services. Its 2024 grants had a median of $23,420, with awards ranging from $5,027 to $1,585,362; Open Door Grants serve organizations in or providing services in Lincoln/Lancaster County, Nebraska. It accepts Open Door Grant applications year-round and reviews them monthly.
Assets
$250.9M
Grants
379
Total Given
$21.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Nebraska
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from OEA 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.
OEA Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?