Phelps County Community
The Phelps County Community Foundation is a community foundation based in Holdrege, Nebraska, established in 1976. The organization solicits, receives, invests, and distributes funds for charitable, cultural, and educational purposes to benefit the citizens of Phelps County and the surrounding area. The foundation administers approximately 100 to 230 different charitable funds and serves as a donor portal connecting philanthropists with local charitable needs.
Key facts about Phelps County Community
- EIN
- 51-0189077
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,144,351
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- Average grant
- $48,735
- Median grant
- $15,556
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (4 of 44, 2024)
- Total assets
- $30,688,606
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation suggests that grantseekers reach out to discuss their project before submitting an application. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Phelps County Community funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Phelps County Community's 44 itemized 2024 grants were Nebraska (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Holdrege, NE (31 grants), Bertrand, NE (6 grants), Funk, NE (2 grants) and Loomis, NE (2 grants). None of its 44 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (25 grants).
Is Phelps County Community open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 44 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $52K. How we count
Medians: $17K first-time, $16K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Phelps County Community
- How to evaluate Phelps County Community as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Phelps County Community with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$30.7M
+4.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
-24.1% YoY
Grant Count
44
-8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$49K
-17.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The mission of the Phelps County Community Foundation is to encourage and provide opportunities for charitable giving, to manage and distribute the funds in a responsible manner, and to enhance the quality of life for the people of Phelps County.
Primary Objectives:
- Advance philanthropic activities in the area served by the Foundation by acting as a catalyst and convener for leadership and community development
- Foster relationships that engage the Foundation, its donors, board members, grantees, and volunteer leadership
- Encourage donors to establish funds in the Foundation to achieve their charitable objectives
- Build a perpetual endowment for charitable grants made at the discretion of its board
Funding Focus Areas:
- Education
- Culture and Recreation
- Health and Human Services
- Civic Opportunities
- Community Development
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Grantmaking
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Phelps County Community?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Phelps County Community Foundation funds charitable efforts primarily in Phelps County, Nebraska, and the surrounding area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 44 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $30,688,606 (as of 2024)
Annual Revenue: $4,799,749 to $4,888,274 (2024)
Total Expenses: $4,970,045 (2024)
Total Giving: $4,479,051 (based on most recent IRS 990 filing)
Workforce: 3–5 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $30,688,606 | $29,498,112 | $21,921,417 |
| Revenue | $4,888,274 | $11,441,466 | $2,780,428 |
| Expenses | $4,970,045 | $6,630,171 | $3,103,002 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $813,326 | $449,100 | $606,157 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Phelps County Christian School ($490,000), Don Sjogren Community YMCA ($434,359), City of Holdrege ($230,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PHELPS COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Holdrege, NE | OPERATIONS, LOAN PMT | $490,000 |
| DON SJOGREN COMMUNITY YMCA Holdrege, NE | IMPROVEMENTS, OPER | $434,359 |
| CITY OF HOLDREGE Holdrege, NE | BALLFIELD COMPLEX | $230,000 |
| PHELPS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Holdrege, NE | OPERATIONS | $120,000 |
| PHELPS COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Holdrege, NE | DUAL BAND RADIOS | $64,238 |
| CHRISTIAN HOMES INC Holdrege, NE | CAPITAL PURCHASES | $62,822 |
| HOLDREGE MEMORIAL HOMES Holdrege, NE | NEW WINDOWS | $58,109 |
| FUNK COMMUNITY CENTER Holdrege, NE | CAP PROJ, OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
| PHELPS COMMUNITY PANTRY Holdrege, NE | OPERATIONS | $45,000 |
| THE TASSEL COORDINATION COUNCIL Holdrege, NE | OPERATIONS | $41,298 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel:
- Tracy Thorpe-Jenkins: Board Member
- Patty Freburg: Associate Director
- Shannon Kruback: Administrative Assistant
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lacy Chapman | Interim Exec | 40 | $66,779 |
| Cindy Collin | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Grace Grove | Vice Preside | 1 | — |
| Jessica Kraus | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Liz Mattson | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Heather McQuillan | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Roger Peterson | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Craig Philips | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Charles Reeser | President | 1 | — |
| Patti Simpson | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Luke Thorell | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Ted Titus | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Lori Vinzant | Board Member | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been at the center of philanthropy in Holdrege, Nebraska for five decades and continues to serve as the premier source for charitable giving in Phelps County. The foundation awards both grants and scholarships to local organizations and area students. In 2025, the foundation named scholarship recipients, continuing its commitment to supporting education in the region.
Phelps County Community Foundation: HomeSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Phelps County Community fund?
**Mission Statement:** The mission of the Phelps County Community Foundation is to encourage and provide opportunities for charitable giving, to manage and distribute the funds in a responsible manner, and to enhance the quality of life for the people of Phelps County. **Primary Objectives:** • Advance philanthropic activities in the area served by the Foundation by acting as a catalyst and convener for leadership and community development • Foster relationships that engage the Foundation, its …
How do I apply for a grant from Phelps County Community?
The foundation suggests that grantseekers reach out to discuss their project before submitting an application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Phelps County Community make grants?
The Phelps County Community Foundation funds charitable efforts primarily in Phelps County, Nebraska, and the surrounding area.
What size grants does Phelps County Community award?
In 2024, Phelps County Community awarded 44 grants totaling $2.1M — an average of about $49K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Phelps County Community's EIN?
Phelps County Community's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0189077. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Phelps County Community's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Christian Community Foundation Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
Assets
$746.4M
Grants
1,651
Total Given
$161.8M
Land O'Lakes Foundation
St Paul, MN
Assets
—
Grants
868
Total Given
$5.8M
First Interstate BancSystem Foundation
Billings, MT
Assets
$20.3M
Grants
758
Total Given
$4.8M
Hastings Community Foundation Inc
Hastings, NE
Assets
$17.6M
Grants
69
Total Given
$1.8M
The Grace Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Assets
$576K
Grants
7
Total Given
$626K
Dillon Foundation
Sterling, IL
Assets
—
Grants
134
Total Given
$3.6M
Ernst & Young Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$43.3M
Grants
631
Total Given
$16.8M
George M White Charitable Trust XXXXX8009
Chicago, IL
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
14
Total Given
$63K
Community Food Bank Of New Jersey Inc
Hillside, NJ
Assets
$125.2M
Grants
97
Total Given
$3.6M
Norris B Runalls Irrev Trust XXX-XX-XXXX
Evansville, IN
Assets
$1.7M
Grants
3
Total Given
$60K
Communities of Coastal Georgia
Brunswick, GA
Assets
$54.5M
Grants
121
Total Given
$5.4M
The Sherwood Foundation
Omaha, NE
Assets
—
Grants
790
Total Given
$296.3M
More Funders in Nebraska
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.