Opensky Policy Institute
Opensky Policy Institute's mission is to use research, strategic communications and coalition-building to advance evidence-based policies that improve economic opportunity for all nebraskans.
Opensky Policy Institute at a glance
In short: Opensky Policy Institute gave $90K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $90,000
- +80.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $22,500
- -10.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,500
- Total assets
- $2,961,159
- +26.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (72% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Opensky Policy Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Support Our Schools - Nebraska ($50K). Together the top 4 received $90K.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 8 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Opensky Policy Institute gives
- Giving grew 260% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $25K (2021) to $90K (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $90K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Support Our Schools - Nebraska Lincoln, NE | Support for Nebrska Schools | $50,000 |
| Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy Washington, DC | Tax Fairness Research Support | $25,000 |
| Heartland Workers Center Omaha, NE | General Support | $10,000 |
| Holland Children's Institute Omaha, NE | General Support | $5,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,961,159 | $1,857,268 | $1,386,948 | $90,000 | 4 | $77,272 |
| 2023 | $2,343,951 | $1,601,126 | $1,286,404 | $50,000 | 2 | $63,008 |
| 2022 | $2,039,491 | $1,109,497 | $1,095,490 | $25,000 | 1 | $5,274 |
| 2021 | $1,977,382 | $1,072,633 | $1,055,719 | $25,000 | 1 | $1,160 |
| 2020 | $1,991,760 | $1,041,773 | $904,847 | — | — | $3,839 |
| 2019 | $1,847,728 | $1,519,210 | $846,056 | — | — | $2,561 |
About Opensky Policy Institute
Based on IRS filings
Opensky Policy Institute is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Lincoln, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $90K. Net investment income was $77K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Opensky Policy Institute is led by Rebecca Firestone, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 3 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rebecca Firestone
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$137K (2022) → $149K (2024)
Rosemary Ohles
President
Director → President Elect, 2022
President Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Constance Knoche
Education Policy Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$110K (2020) → $125K (2024)
Claude Berreckman Jr.
Director
Secretary & President Elect → President, 2022
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Bexten
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Campbell
Director
President El → President, 2020
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamar Dorsey Sr.
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lissette Aliaga-Linares
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tammy Day
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Curt Friesen
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Colwell
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Buey Ray Tut
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Milone
Deputy Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$109K (2024)
Eric Reznicek
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Rodgers
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judy Pederson
President Elect
Director → President Elect, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Miguel Estevez (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: John Harms (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Tulani Grundy Meadows (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Renee A. Fry (2019–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Annette Smith (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: David Spinar (2019–2020) — Past President
- Former: Doug German (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Charles T. Karpf Jr. (2019) — Director
- Former: Douglas K. German (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Joel T. Johnson (2019) — Director
- Former: Mary Bills-Strand (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $149K, to Rebecca Firestone (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Opensky Policy Institute
How much does Opensky Policy Institute give each year?
Opensky Policy Institute gave $90K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $50K across 2 grants.
What is Opensky Policy Institute's typical grant size?
Opensky Policy Institute's median grant in 2024 was $17,500, and its average grant was $22,500, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Opensky Policy Institute give grants?
Opensky Policy Institute gives mostly in Nebraska: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (28%). The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (2 grants).
Does Opensky Policy Institute give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of Opensky Policy Institute's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
How large is Opensky Policy Institute?
Opensky Policy Institute reported $3.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.9M.
What is Opensky Policy Institute?
Opensky Policy Institute is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Lincoln, NE. It holds $3.0M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Opensky Policy Institute's EIN?
Opensky Policy Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3327969. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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