Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc
Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Lincoln, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $3.4M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $172K. Net investment income was $23K.
Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc gave $172K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $172K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $171,677
- +201.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $171,677
- +201.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $171,677
- Total assets
- $3,446,505
- -10.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 35 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 181% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 141% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2020) to $172K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $172K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| See Attached Schedule Lincoln, NE | Community | $171,677 |
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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 | $3,446,505 | $85,740 | $235,516 | $171,677 | 1 | $235,177 | $22,716 | $167,346 |
| 2024 | $3,853,061 | $88,046 | $117,063 | $57,000 | 1 | $117,063 | $27,253 | $166,350 |
| 2023 | $2,890,816 | $85,959 | $140,429 | $82,500 | 14 | $140,429 | $30,904 | $134,322 |
| 2022 | $2,476,052 | $168,775 | $115,293 | $61,050 | 8 | $115,293 | $114,677 | $123,686 |
| 2021 | $2,422,874 | $73,378 | $115,126 | $63,000 | 11 | — | $21,934 | $114,355 |
| 2020 | $2,158,394 | $70,695 | $75,144 | $27,000 | 6 | — | $22,551 | $99,397 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $167K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc is led by Douglas Lienemann, President on every filing since 2020; 4 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Douglas Lienemann
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $11K (2025)
Anne Ferguson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Jodi Daily
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Del Lienemann Jr.
Fnd Manager Vice President & Treasurer
Fnd Manager, Vice President & Treasurer → Fnd Manager Vice President & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $15K (2025)
Laura Bishop
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $15K, to Del Lienemann Jr (Fnd MGR VP, Treas). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc
How much does Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc give each year?
Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc gave $172K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $57K across 1 grant.
How large is Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc?
Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $235K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $167K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc operate?
Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming.
What is Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN?
Sterns Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0178685. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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