Phelps County Community Foundation Inc
Phelps County Community is a public charity based in Holdrege, Nebraska. Founded in 1976, it administers donated funds and solicits, receives, invests, and distributes funds for charitable, cultural, and educational purposes benefiting people in Phelps County and the surrounding area.
Phelps County Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Phelps County Community Foundation Inc gave $2.0M across 59 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Nebraska. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,013,724
- -6.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 59
- +34.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $34,131
- -30.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,432
- Total assets
- $33,132,305
- +8.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (11 of 58, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Phelps County Community Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation lists an open grant cycle with applications accepted anytime. Its website also lists Pearson Charitable Fund cycles opening June 1 and December 1, and a Women’s Giving Group cycle opening July 1. Applications are submitted through the foundation’s online grant application process.
- Review Cycle
- The Pearson Charitable Fund deadlines are July 1 and January 1. The Women’s Giving Group deadline is August 1.
- Deadline
- The Pearson Charitable Fund deadlines are July 1 and January 1.
- Contact
Mailing address: 424 Garfield Street, Holdrege, NE 68949
Phone: (308) 995-6847
Website: https://phelpsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Phelps County Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Don Sjogren Community YMCA ($335K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
230 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 192 grants of 230 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s general grant guidelines restrict funds to nonprofits serving populations within Phelps County, Nebraska. Its Pearson Charitable Fund is designated for charitable groups and organizations in Holdrege, Nebraska. The 2025 grants listed were all awarded to organizations in Nebraska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 59 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Phelps County Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 58 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $31K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $412K (2020) to $2.8M (2023). In 2025 it made 59 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Don Sjogren Community YMCA Holdrege, NE | Improvements, Oper | $335,047 |
| Legacy Christian School Holdrege, NE | Operations | $199,543 |
| Phelps County Historical Society Holdrege, NE | Operations, Cap Proj | $92,694 |
| Holdrege Animal Shelter Holdrege, NE | Operations | $91,274 |
| The Tassel Coordination Council Holdrege, NE | Operations | $84,048 |
| Holdrege Memorial Homes Holdrege, NE | Operations | $72,157 |
| Christian Homes Inc Holdrege, NE | Capital Purchases | $66,936 |
| City of Holdrege Holdrege, NE | Ballfield, Airport | $62,017 |
| Phelps Community Pantry Holdrege, NE | Operations | $59,837 |
| Prairie Home Cemetery Association Holdrege, NE | Capital Purch, Oper. | $56,782 |
Ready to take the next step with Phelps County Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,132,305 | $3,198,455 | $2,680,081 | $2,013,724 | 59 | $1,057,337 |
| 2024 | $30,688,606 | $4,888,274 | $4,970,045 | $2,144,351 | 44 | $813,326 |
| 2023 | $29,498,112 | $11,441,466 | $6,630,171 | $2,823,540 | 48 | $449,100 |
| 2022 | $21,921,417 | $2,780,428 | $3,103,002 | $1,482,474 | 42 | $606,157 |
| 2021 | $24,290,275 | $2,746,772 | $2,305,098 | $692,078 | 37 | $854,595 |
| 2020 | $21,051,356 | $1,829,260 | $1,876,180 | $412,176 | 29 | $654,476 |
| 2019 | $21,302,306 | $3,046,049 | $1,724,062 | $543,881 | 30 | $645,486 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to encourage charitable giving, manage and distribute funds responsibly, and enhance quality of life for the people of Phelps County. Its grant guidelines identify six areas of interest: education; cultural and arts; human services; health and recreation; community; and religion for non-denominational projects and programs.
The foundation’s 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. For example, Phelps County Historical Society says its museum depicts local history; Holdrege Memorial Homes says it provides long-term health care for the elderly; and South Central Area Recovery says it supports people affected by addiction or traumatic events through a safe environment, education, and support.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 59 grants totaling $2,013,724. Awards ranged from $5,159 to $335,047, with a median of $17,432. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska.
The largest reported 2025 grants included $335,047 to Don Sjogren Community YMCA for improvements and operations; $199,543 to Legacy Christian School for operations; $92,694 to Phelps County Historical Society for operations and capital projects; $91,274 to Holdrege Animal Shelter for operations; and $84,048 to The Tassel Coordination Council for operations.
The foundation describes its grant program as requiring applicants to raise a two-thirds match for their request. It says funds are disbursed after the money has been raised and receipts provided; grantees must provide invoices for expenditures, present the completed project, and return unused grant funds. General grant eligibility includes qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations in good standing, certain government agencies seeking capital expenditures or improvements, and eligible organizations with qualifying fiscal sponsors. General guidelines restrict funding to nonprofits serving people in Phelps County and exclude, among other requests, individual awards, scholarships, annual fund drives, previously incurred deficits, and operating expenses of well-established organizations, public service agencies, and government agencies.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lacy Chapman as executive director. The listed board members are Rick Bergman, Cindy Collin, Grace Grove, Jessica Kraus, Mike Leffler, Aaron Long, Heather McQuillan, Roger Peterson, and Patti Simpson. The filing identifies Grace Grove as president.
Phelps County Community Foundation Inc is led by Lacy Chapman, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2024); 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lacy Chapman
Executive Director
Interim Executive → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$67K (2024) → $80K (2025)
Grace Grove
President
Board Member → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Collin
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luke Thorell
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patti Simpson
Board Member
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather McQuillan
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roger Peterson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Titus
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Kraus
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lori Vinzant
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Long
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Leffler
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Bergman
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Charles Reeser (2019–2024) — President
- Former: Craig Philips (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Liz Mattson (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Carrie Trompke (2019–2023) — President
- Former: Kara Faber (2019–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Lacie Westcott (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Richard Krohn (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Tammy Vonasek (2019–2022) — President
- Former: Robert Olson (2019–2020) — President
- Former: Diane Samuelson (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Fred Diedrichsen (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Joel Bergman (2019) — Board Member
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $80K, to Lacy Chapman (Exec DIR).
Frequently asked questions about Phelps County Community Foundation Inc
How much does Phelps County Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Phelps County Community Foundation Inc gave $2.0M across 59 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.1M across 44 grants.
What is Phelps County Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Phelps County Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $17,432, and its average grant was $34,131, across 59 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Phelps County Community Foundation Inc that year got $31K on average.
Where does Phelps County Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Phelps County Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Nebraska: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Holdrege, NE (43 grants), Bertrand, NE (6 grants), Loomis, NE (4 grants) and Hastings, NE (2 grants).
Does Phelps County Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 59 grants with a stated purpose on Phelps County Community Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (35 grants).
Who are Phelps County Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Phelps County Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Don Sjogren Community YMCA ($335,047), Legacy Christian School ($199,543) and Phelps County Historical Society ($92,694), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Phelps County Community Foundation Inc?
Phelps County Community Foundation Inc reported $33.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.2M.
What does Phelps County Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to encourage charitable giving, manage and distribute funds responsibly, and enhance quality of life for the people of Phelps County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Phelps County Community Foundation Inc?
The foundation lists an open grant cycle with applications accepted anytime. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Phelps County Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Phelps County Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0189077. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 20, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 24, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 13, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Phelps County Community Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Phelps County Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Phelps County Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/phelps-county-community-foundation-inc-morg_a524b57cba0049c5844678f621d3b948
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_510189077_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Phelps County Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/phelps-county-community-foundation-inc-morg_a524b57cba0049c5844678f621d3b948},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Phelps County Community 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.
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