Olsson Foundation Inc is a private 501(c)(3) corporate foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Established in 2015, the foundation represents a formalization of the Olsson company's long-standing commitment to community service that dates back to 1956 when founder John E. Olsson established a legacy of serving others with time, talents, and resources.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$382K
-3.6% YoY
Grant Count
22
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-3.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Olsson Foundation is committed to working with nonprofit organizations dedicated to:
- Education — including tutoring in English as a second language and STEM programs
- Environment — supporting ecological and environmental initiatives
- Community — serving underserved communities and supporting charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, and public service purposes
The foundation provides support to 501(c)(3) organizations with exempt purposes including charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, and public service activities, as well as prevention of cruelty to children or animals.
Grantmaking
The foundation also maintains a Holiday Giving Grant program with recipients selected for 2024-2026.
How to Apply
** The foundation accepts nominations for funding. The nomination form for funding is available during summer months. Organizations interested in applying should contact Lori Cerveny at 402.458.5692 or lcerveny@olsson.com.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Olsson Foundation primarily funds organizations in the communities where Olsson operates, with a focus on:
- Nebraska
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Colorado
- Arizona
- California
- Missouri
- Kansas
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- Iowa
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $3,221,366
- Total Giving: $382,149
- Total Revenue: $756,519
- Total Expenses: $384,381
The foundation made 22 grants in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
111 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Neb Fd ($300,000), Ace Mentor Program of Central Iowa ($6,667), Denver Urban Gardners ($6,667).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Great Plains Adaptive Riding Academ Kansas City, KS | Riding for physical and cognitive disabled | $2,000 |
| Madonna Foundation Lincoln, NE | REHABILITATION SERVICES TO PHYSICALY INJURED PEOPLES | $5,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEB FD LINCOLN, NE | STUDENT AND FACULITY PROGRAMS FOR ENGINEERS | $300,000 |
| OKLAHOMA ENGINEERING FD Oklahoma City, OK | ASSIT IN ADMISSIONS OF STUDENTS INENGINEER PROGRAMS | $2,500 |
| GREEN WORKS KANSAS CITY, MS | HANDS ON ENVIROMENTAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH | $1,980 |
| GROWING FUTURES EARLY ED OVERLAND PARK, KS | FREE EARLY ED PROGRAMS FOR THOSE BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL | $2,500 |
| ABIDE OMAHA OMAHA, NE | REVITALIZE INNER CITY NEIGHBORHOODS | $2,500 |
| DIBS FOR KIDS OMAHA, NE | BOOKS FOR CLASSROOMS IN NORTH OMAHA | $2,500 |
| RABBLE MILL OMAHA, NE | OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAMMING | $2,500 |
| HELPPING HANDS FOR SINGLE MOMS MCKINNEY, TX | EMPOWERING SINGLE MOMS TO OBTAIN COLLEGE DEGREES | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Strittmatter | President | 1 | — |
| JEFF JENKINS | SEC TREASUER | 1 | — |
| JOHN OLSSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In December 2025, the Olsson Foundation announced its annual grant recipients for that year. One highlighted recipient was Packs of Hope, which serves nine counties in the Denver area supporting children entering the foster care system and youth completing court-ordered community services. Executive Director Amanda Beck noted that the foundation's funding would be used to purchase much-needed clothing for the children and teens served by the organization.
Announcing the Olsson Foundation\u2019s Annual Grant RecipientsThe foundation also engages Olsson employees as volunteers with grantee organizations, fostering direct community involvement alongside financial support.
Announcing the Olsson Foundation\u2019s Annual Grant RecipientsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Olsson Foundation Inc fund?
The Olsson Foundation is committed to working with nonprofit organizations dedicated to: • **Education** — including tutoring in English as a second language and STEM programs • **Environment** — supporting ecological and environmental initiatives • **Community** — serving underserved communities and supporting charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, and public service purposes The foundation provides support to 501(c)(3) organizations with exempt purposes including charitable…
How do I apply for a grant from Olsson Foundation Inc?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $300,000. **Recent Activity:** In 2025, the foundation selected 13 organizations as part of its annual grant program. The 2025 grant recipients include: • Abide Omaha (Omaha, Nebraska) • Collette's Children's Home (Huntington Beach, California) • Delivering Infinite Bookshelves (DIBS) for Kids (Omaha, Nebraska) • Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (Tulsa, Oklahoma) • Friends of BOMLA (Dallas, Texas) • Green Works of Kansas City (Kansas City, Mis…
Where does Olsson Foundation Inc make grants?
The Olsson Foundation primarily funds organizations in the communities where Olsson operates, with a focus on: • Nebraska • Texas • Oklahoma • Colorado • Arizona • California • Missouri • Kansas • Arkansas • Louisiana • Iowa
What size grants does Olsson Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Olsson Foundation Inc awarded 22 grants totaling $382K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Olsson Foundation Inc's EIN?
Olsson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1210501. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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