Pegler Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Lincoln, NE EIN: 47-0762310

The Pegler Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Its 2025 filing lists grants to organizations including the University of Nebraska Foundation, Lincoln Youth Football League, and Lincoln Children’s Zoo.

Pegler Family Foundation at a glance

In short: Pegler Family Foundation gave $967K across 24 grants in 2025 (avg $40K), mostly in Nebraska. 42% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$967,250
+123.7% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
24
+4.3% vs 2024
Average grant
$40,302
+114.4% vs 2024
Median grant
$2,750
Total assets
$4,065,475
-17.4% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
42% first-time grantees (10 of 24, 2025; small sample)
Primary geography
Nebraska (98% 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 Pegler Family Foundation

How to Apply

The filing says to apply by letter to the board, stating the purpose for which the funds will be used and including a list of current officers, directors, and trustees, plus a copy of the IRS letter authorizing the…

The filing says to apply by letter to the board, stating the purpose for which the funds will be used and including a list of current officers, directors, and trustees, plus a copy of the IRS letter authorizing the organization’s 501(c)(3) status. The applicant organization must function within the United States or its possessions. The filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations.

Contact

Application contact: Pegler Family Foundation
Mailing address: PO Box 81667, Lincoln, NE 68501
Phone: (402) 477-2200

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Pegler Family Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

University of Nebraska Foundation: $600KUniversity of NebraskaFoundation$600KLincoln Youth Football League: $155KLincoln Youth Football League$155KLincoln Childrens Zoo: $100KLincoln Childrens Zoo$100KWestside Foundation: $25KWestside Foundation$25KFood Bank of Lincoln: $20KFood Bank of Lincoln$20KRudge Foundation: $15KRudge Foundation$15KEmeralds Booster Club Inc: $10KEmeralds Booster Club Inc$10KNorthstar Foundation: $10KNorthstar Foundation$10KRonald McDonald House Charities in Omaha Inc: $10KRonald McDonald HouseCharities in Omaha Inc$10KPGA Reach Nebraska Foundation: $5KPGA Reach Nebraska Foundation$5K

The largest 2025 recipient was University of Nebraska Foundation ($600K). Together the top 10 received $950K.

Grant Size Distribution

106 grants across all recorded years

93<$50K9$50–100K3$100–250K$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 93 grants of 106 (88%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska and 2% to recipients in Arizona. The filing also lists Maryland, Iowa, and Pennsylvania at 0% each.

Grant Distribution by State

8states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.

Cities

LincolnOmahaElkhornGrand IslandDentonOverland ParkPhoenixBaltimorePapillionRaymondCrescentFort WorthGarlandGlen MillsJacksonLexingtonSyracuse

Is Pegler Family Foundation open to new grantees?

42%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 10 of 24 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $68K. How we count

Medians: $1K first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 58% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 172% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 156% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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

$0$250K$500K$750K$1M24 grants2019 20 grants2020 19 grants2021 22 grants2022 18 grants2023 23 grants2024 24 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $322K (2021) to $967K (2025). In 2025 it made 24 grants totaling $967K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NEGeneral Operations$600,000
Lincoln Youth Football League Lincoln, NEGeneral Operations$155,000
Lincoln Childrens Zoo Lincoln, NEGeneral Operations$100,000
Westside Foundation Omaha, NEGeneral Operations$25,000
Food Bank of Lincoln Lincoln, NEGeneral Operations$20,000
Rudge Foundation Phoenix, AZGeneral Operations$15,000
Emeralds Booster Club Inc Lincoln, NEGeneral Operations$10,000
Northstar Foundation Omaha, NEGeneral Operations$10,000
Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha Inc Omaha, NEGeneral Operations$10,000
PGA Reach Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NEGeneral Operations$5,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$4,065,475$179,274$1,036,973$967,25024$1,013,774$157,700$651,205
2024$4,923,174$176,188$496,274$432,30023$473,877$156,495$609,174
2023$5,243,260$229,931$466,650$406,61518$446,690$148,476$529,099
2022$5,479,979$124,413$413,485$355,65022$395,431$109,976$522,180
2021$5,769,051$69,638$378,926$322,00019$361,217$51,929$520,145
2020$6,078,339$68,539$387,415$330,85020—$52,197$476,101
2019$6,397,215$5,864,215$582,425$551,89124—$281,732$236,921

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Pegler Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $651K 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

No foundation mission is stated. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. The University of Nebraska Foundation says it grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. Lincoln Youth Football League says it provides football activities, equipment, and supervision for youth. Lincoln Children’s Zoo says it enriches lives through firsthand interaction with living things.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation made 24 grants totaling $967,250. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $600,000, with a median of $2,750. The largest grants were $600,000 to the University of Nebraska Foundation, $155,000 to Lincoln Youth Football League, and $100,000 to Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Each was designated for general operations.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Pegler Family Foundation is led by Donald H. Pegler III, Trustee & President since 2025 (on filings since 2019); all 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Donald H. Pegler III

    Trustee & President

    Tste & President → Trustee & President, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $200 (2019) → $2K (2025)

  • Cary Kline

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $200 (2019) → $2K (2025)

  • Katey Pickel

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $200 (2019) → $2K (2025)

  • Leslie A. Pegler Deeter

    Trustee & Vice President

    Tste & Vice President → Trustee & Vice President, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $200 (2019) → $2K (2025)

  • Marian Pegler

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $100 (2019) → $2K (2025)

  • Scott Semrad

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $200 (2019) → $2K (2025)

  • Susan L. Pegler Hoppe

    Trustee & Vice President

    Tste & Vice President → Trustee & Vice President, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $100 (2019) → $2K (2025)

  • Trent Deeter

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $1K (2020) → $2K (2025)

  • Ellen Gaston

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    $2K (2023) → $2K (2025)

  • Dyan R. Pegler

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    $2K (2025)

  • Jeff Semrad

    Secretary & Treasurer

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $200 (2019) → $2K (2025)

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Ellen Pegler (2019–2022) — Trustee

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Donald H Pegler III — Trustee / President: $2KDonald H Pegler IIITrustee / President$2KLeslie a Pegler Deeter — Trustee / VP: $2KLeslie a Pegler DeeterTrustee / VP$2KSusan L Pegler Hoppe — Trustee / VP: $2KSusan L Pegler HoppeTrustee / VP$2KCary Kline — Trustee: $2KCary KlineTrustee$2KDyan R Pegler — Trustee: $2KDyan R PeglerTrustee$2KEllen Gaston — Trustee: $2KEllen GastonTrustee$2KKatey Pickel — Trustee: $2KKatey PickelTrustee$2KMarian Pegler — Trustee: $2KMarian PeglerTrustee$2KScott Semrad — Trustee: $2KScott SemradTrustee$2KTrent Deeter — Trustee: $2KTrent DeeterTrustee$2KJeff Semrad — Secretary / Treasurer: $2KJeff SemradSecretary / Treasurer$2K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $2K, to Donald H Pegler III (Trustee / President). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Pegler Family Foundation

How much does Pegler Family Foundation give each year?

Pegler Family Foundation gave $967K across 24 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $432K across 23 grants.

What is Pegler Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Pegler Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,750, and its average grant was $40,302, across 24 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Pegler Family Foundation that year got $2K on average.

Where does Pegler Family Foundation give grants?

Pegler Family Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lincoln, NE (12 grants), Omaha, NE (5 grants), Raymond, NE (2 grants) and Baltimore, MD (2 grants).

Does Pegler Family Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Pegler Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Pegler Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Pegler Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Nebraska Foundation ($600,000), Lincoln Youth Football League ($155,000) and Lincoln Childrens Zoo ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Pegler Family Foundation?

Pegler Family Foundation reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $651K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Pegler Family Foundation fund?

No foundation mission is stated. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. The University of Nebraska Foundation says it grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Pegler Family Foundation?

The filing says to apply by letter to the board, stating the purpose for which the funds will be used and including a list of current officers, directors, and trustees, plus a copy of the IRS letter authorizing the… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Pegler Family Foundation's EIN?

Pegler Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0762310. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(8)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 2, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
  7. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
  8. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Pegler Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/pegler-family-foundation-morg_e4dbd6d241d0403dbe704bf08566486d

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_470762310_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Pegler Family Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/pegler-family-foundation-morg_e4dbd6d241d0403dbe704bf08566486d},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-25. 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 Pegler Family 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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