Pace Woods Foundation
Pace Woods Foundation is a private foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Its stated emphasis is on arts and education, and its 2025 filing says its funds are intended to improve individuals’ lives and future activities.
Pace Woods Foundation at a glance
In short: Pace Woods Foundation gave $267K across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Nebraska. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $267,255
- +11.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- +4.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,279
- +7.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,799,168
- +1.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (5 of 26, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Pace Woods Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation provides an online application for organizations. The requested materials include the organization’s name, address and website; a contact person and contact information; the past two years’ income statements and balance sheets, with footnotes and an auditor’s report if applicable; a purpose of request of no more than 500 words; and a proposed project budget or cost. The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications are reviewed by September 30, with announcements by October 15.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are due by March 31.
- Deadline
- Applications are due by March 31.
- Contact
Application contact: The Pace Woods Foundation
Mailing address: C/O The Hoppe Law Firm 1620 S 84Th, ST, Lincoln, NE 68506
Phone: (402) 328-8100
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Pace Woods Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Nebraska Repertory Theater ($20K). Together the top 10 received $147K.
Grant Size Distribution
113 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 113 grants of 113 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation welcomes applications from throughout the United States, with preference given to organizations or individuals within Lancaster County, Nebraska, or Ashland County, Wisconsin. In 2025, 82% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska, 12% to Wisconsin, and 6% to Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Pace Woods Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 26 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 81% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 50% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 154% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $178K (2022) to $267K (2025). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $267K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Repertory Theater Lincoln, NE | General Operation | $20,000 |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, NE | General Operation | $19,875 |
| Macphail Center for Music Minneapolis, MN | General Operation | $15,000 |
| Bravebe Child Advocacy Center Lincoln, NE | General Operation | $15,000 |
| Friends of Lied - Big Red Lied Lincoln, NE | General Operation | $15,000 |
| University of Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NE | General Operation | $15,000 |
| Civic Nebraska Lincoln, NE | General Operation | $12,500 |
| Visionary Youth Lincoln, NE | General Operation | $12,500 |
| YMCA of Lincoln Lincoln, NE | General Operation | $12,000 |
| Youth Actors Academy of Lincoln Lincoln, NE | General Operation | $10,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Pace Woods Foundation?
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 | $2,799,168 | $355,691 | $320,925 | $267,255 | 26 | $288,031 | $328,961 | $187,048 |
| 2024 | $2,764,402 | $296,959 | $277,825 | $239,900 | 25 | $251,791 | $266,425 | $189,549 |
| 2023 | $2,745,268 | $85,314 | $255,183 | $218,055 | 22 | $231,290 | $61,421 | $167,415 |
| 2022 | $2,915,137 | $77,578 | $220,025 | $178,350 | 18 | $192,095 | $50,832 | $173,234 |
| 2021 | $3,057,584 | $285,915 | $285,584 | $238,100 | 22 | $246,402 | $257,822 | $192,741 |
| 2020 | $3,057,253 | $447,676 | $220,831 | $193,150 | 15 | — | $428,591 | $170,071 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Pace Woods Foundation reported a distributable amount of $187K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its funds are to be used to improve the lives and future activities of individuals, with an emphasis on arts and education. It says funds may also be used for research and need not produce measurable results. Funding may not be used for political purposes or for new building construction, or additions, modifications, or enhancements to existing buildings.
Its 2025 grantees included organizations whose own missions span arts, education, youth development, and community activities. For example, MacPhail Center for Music says it provides access to diverse music-learning experiences, while Lux Center for the Arts describes its work as providing arts education, artist residencies, exhibitions, and community outreach. Nebraska Wesleyan University describes itself as an academic community dedicated to intellectual and personal growth through liberal arts education. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $267,255. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $20,000, with a median of $10,000. Recent reported totals were $239,900 across 25 grants in 2024 and $218,055 across 22 grants in 2023.
The largest 2025 awards included $20,000 to Nebraska Repertory Theater and $19,875 to Nebraska Wesleyan University, both for general operation. Other grants for general operation included $15,000 each to MacPhail Center for Music, BraveBe Child Advocacy Center, Friends of Lied - Big Red Lied, and University of Nebraska Foundation.
The foundation states that it funds grants for use by organizations or individuals within the United States. Its stated restrictions also bar political purposes and building construction or improvements as described above.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Pace Woods Foundation is led by Shauna Colton Woods, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Shauna Colton Woods
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Curry Wilson
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Ganz
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lincoln Tracy
Director
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diana Eisner
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Woods Kilbourne Briggs
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ward F Hoppe
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Pace Woods Foundation
How much does Pace Woods Foundation give each year?
Pace Woods Foundation gave $267K across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $240K across 25 grants.
What is Pace Woods Foundation's typical grant size?
Pace Woods Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,279, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Pace Woods Foundation that year got $7K on average.
Where does Pace Woods Foundation give grants?
Pace Woods Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Wisconsin (12%) and Minnesota (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lincoln, NE (19 grants) and La Pointe, WI (4 grants).
Does Pace Woods Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Pace Woods Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Pace Woods Foundation's largest grantees?
Pace Woods Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Nebraska Repertory Theater ($20,000), Nebraska Wesleyan University ($19,875) and Macphail Center for Music ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Pace Woods Foundation?
Pace Woods Foundation reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $288K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $187K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Pace Woods Foundation fund?
The foundation states that its funds are to be used to improve the lives and future activities of individuals, with an emphasis on arts and education. It says funds may also be used for research and need not produce measurable results. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Pace Woods Foundation?
The foundation provides an online application for organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Pace Woods Foundation's EIN?
Pace Woods Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3401238. 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 7, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Pace Woods Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/pace-woods-foundation-morg_65e1ebe7e5d04f7da7cd33a7073101e6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203401238_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Pace Woods Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/pace-woods-foundation-morg_65e1ebe7e5d04f7da7cd33a7073101e6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Pace Woods Foundation'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.
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