Spark
Organization was established to champion community development by forming and leading partnerships that create, implement and evaluate holistic revitalization projects.
Spark at a glance
In short: Spark gave $340K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $340K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $340,000
- +462.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $340,000
- +462.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $340,000
- Total assets
- $7,506,474
- +188.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Spark funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Spark Capital ($340K).
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 4 (25%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $28K (2022) to $340K (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $340K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Spark Capital Omaha, NE | To provide financial and educational services to economically distressed communities | $340,000 |
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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 | $7,506,474 | $1,457,261 | $1,255,706 | $340,000 | 1 | $113,309 |
| 2023 | $2,599,787 | $758,136 | $1,076,799 | $60,450 | 1 | $24,593 |
| 2022 | $2,864,842 | $853,160 | $743,103 | $28,000 | 1 | $1,788 |
| 2021 | $2,470,063 | $2,256,574 | $465,126 | — | — | $164 |
| 2020 | $1,768,624 | $971,957 | $766,456 | $200,000 | 1 | $26,536 |
| 2019 | $471,838 | $389,588 | $473,075 | — | — | $1,215 |
About Spark
Based on IRS filings
Spark is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Omaha, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $340K. Net investment income was $113K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Spark is led by Buey Tut, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2023; 2 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Buey Tut
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2023
22 hrs/week
$57K (2023) → $142K (2024)
Cammy Watkins
President
Director → Vice President, 2021
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angela Smith
Senior Director
Interim CEO → Senior Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
22 hrs/week
$133K (2023) → $137K (2024)
Annette Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Athena Ramos
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Pridal
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ralph Lassiter
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chad Clauser
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hobson Powell
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kendra Ringenberg
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Oj Spooner
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Kemp
Vice President
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Andrea Kathol (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Angel Starks (2023) — Director of Learning & Development
- Former: Carmen Tapio (2019–2022) — President
- Former: Jamie Grayson-Berglund (2019–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Alec Gorynski (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Kristin Williams (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Sergio Sosa (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Kali Baker (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Jeff Kutash (2019) — Director
- Former: Kenny McMorris (2019) — Director
- Former: Rishi Bhakar (2019) — Director
- Former: Syl Orsi (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 $142K, to Buey Tut (Chief Executive Officer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Spark
How much does Spark give each year?
Spark gave $340K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $60K across 1 grant.
How large is Spark?
Spark reported $7.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What is Spark?
Spark is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Omaha, NE. It holds $7.5M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Spark operate?
Spark has awarded grants in Nebraska.
What is Spark's EIN?
Spark's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3057920. 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Spark funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Leveling-Up Award $1,000 · Due October 25, 2026
- Arnold F. Keller, Jr. Grant for New Initiatives/Program Expansion $25,000 · Due October 27, 2026
- Wausau Marathon County Impact Grants (Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin) $1,000 to $100,000 depending on the scope of the project · Due October 27, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Spark's focus areas in our free grants database
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More similar funders
More Funders in Nebraska
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Spark down — hundreds of funders to go?