The Chief Foundation Inc
The Chief Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Grand Island, Nebraska. It supports charitable, educational, scientific, and literary purposes and reported 12 grants totaling $223,750 in 2025.
The Chief Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Chief Foundation Inc gave $224K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $223,750
- +24.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- -7.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,646
- +35.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $11,250
- Total assets
- $3,926,526
- +23.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Chief Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit a written application with appropriate documentation. The filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: The Chief Foundation Co Cheryl Vajg
Mailing address: PO Box 2078, Grand Island, NE 68802
Phone: (308) 389-7200
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Chief Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Grand Island Children's Museum ($60K). Together the top 8 received $190K.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($33,750), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 50 grants of 55 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska and 6% to recipients in Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Chief Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 183% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 127% 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 $63K (2020) to $224K (2025). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $224K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Island Children's Museum Grand Island, NE | Capital Asset Support for Community | $60,000 |
| Central Catholic Development Foundation Grand Island, NE | Capital Asset Support for Community | $50,000 |
| Greater Grand Island Community Foundation Grand Island, NE | Capital Asset Support for Community | $25,000 |
| Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE | Capital Asset Support for Community | $20,000 |
| Hamilton County Inclusive Playground Aurora, NE | Capital Asset Support for Community | $20,000 |
| 4 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $33,750 |
| Centura Educational Foundation Cairo, NE | Capital Asset Support for Community | $5,000 |
| Good Samaritan Food Pantry Rensselaer Rensselaer, IN | Capital Asset Support for Community | $5,000 |
| Crossroads Mission Avenue Hastings, NE | Capital Asset Support for Community | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Chief Foundation Inc?
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 | $3,926,526 | $699,893 | $249,366 | $223,750 | 12 | $223,750 | $179,883 | $176,231 |
| 2024 | $3,186,500 | $968,555 | $201,988 | $179,167 | 13 | $179,167 | $230,773 | $145,700 |
| 2023 | $2,338,451 | $488,292 | $126,256 | $114,166 | 9 | $114,166 | $48,768 | $103,662 |
| 2022 | $1,703,758 | $452,876 | $88,835 | $79,166 | 11 | $79,166 | $43,207 | $83,738 |
| 2021 | $1,617,418 | $123,076 | $81,506 | $72,500 | 10 | $72,500 | $114,070 | $76,731 |
| 2020 | $1,530,847 | $48,687 | $70,136 | $62,500 | 8 | — | $41,051 | $69,154 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Chief Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $176K 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
The foundation’s stated purpose is to receive and administer funds for charitable, educational, scientific, and literary purposes. Its 2025 grants included support for community capital assets and undergraduate education scholarships.
Among its 2025 grantees, the Grand Island Children’s Museum describes its mission as engaging families in creativity and community through experience-based learning and play. Northeast Community College’s foundation says it supports the college’s educational goals and helps students afford tuition and fees. Centura Educational Foundation says it funds graduating students’ further education and supports school functions and other financial needs.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 12 grants totaling $223,750. Grant amounts ranged from $3,750 to $60,000, with a median grant of $11,250. The largest awards included $60,000 to Grand Island Children’s Museum, $50,000 to Central Catholic Development Foundation, and $25,000 to Greater Grand Island Community Foundation. Northeast Community College and Hamilton County Inclusive Playground each received $20,000.
The foundation’s filing says to submit a written application with appropriate documentation. It states that grants will be made to organizations tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists DJ Eihusen as president, Cheryl Vajgrt as secretary/treasurer, and Susan Albers as director.
The Chief Foundation Inc is led by Dj Eihusen, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Dj Eihusen
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Susan Albers
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Cheryl Vajgrt
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Chief Foundation Inc
How much does The Chief Foundation Inc give each year?
The Chief Foundation Inc gave $224K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $179K across 13 grants.
What is The Chief Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Chief Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $11,250, and its average grant was $18,646, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Chief Foundation Inc give grants?
The Chief Foundation Inc gives mostly in Nebraska: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Indiana (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Island, NE (3 grants).
Does The Chief Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on The Chief Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Capital Asset Support for Community" (8 grants) and "Scholarship Support for Undergraduate Education" (4 grants).
Who are The Chief Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Chief Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Grand Island Children's Museum ($60,000), Central Catholic Development Foundation ($50,000) and Greater Grand Island Community Foundation ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($33,750), which are not listed by name. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Chief Foundation Inc?
The Chief Foundation Inc reported $3.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $224K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $176K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Chief Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to receive and administer funds for charitable, educational, scientific, and literary purposes. Its 2025 grants included support for community capital assets and undergraduate education scholarships. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Chief Foundation Inc?
Submit a written application with appropriate documentation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Chief Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Chief Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4896971. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 23, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
Live grants for the work The Chief Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Chief Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Sherwood Foundation
Omaha, NE
The Sherwood Foundation funds equity and social-justice work in Nebraska, with a focus on urban and rural community partnerships and early childhood education; it supports operating, program, and capital needs. Its 2025 grants had a median of $90,000, though awards varied widely. It does not accept unsolicited requests and uses an invitation-only application process.
Assets
$977.8M
Grants
790
Total Given
$296.3M
First Interstate BancSystem Foundation
Billings, MT
The First Interstate BancSystem Foundation funds poverty reduction, youth development, financial education, and community development, as well as civic, arts, education, health, human services, and sustainability efforts in communities served by First Interstate Bank across 10 states. Its 2025 grants had a median award of $2,500, though amounts varied widely; the stated minimum grant is $2,500. Organizations can submit grant requests online, which are traditionally reviewed monthly, but grants must be recommended by a local First Interstate branch.
Assets
$19.2M
Grants
767
Total Given
$5.0M
Hastings Community Foundation Inc
Hastings, NE
Hastings Community Foundation supports nonprofits and community projects in education, arts and culture, health, social services, economic development, and civic affairs, primarily in Hastings and the surrounding area. Its General Grants are up to $10,000, with most below $5,000; across all reported 2024 grants, the median award was $13,423. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$17.6M
Grants
69
Total Given
$1.8M
Beirow Family Foundation Inc
Hastings, NE
Assets
$362K
Grants
3
Total Given
$15K
Heartland Bank Foundation
Geneva, NE
Heartland Bank Foundation supports charitable and educational activities in Nebraska, including community organizations, schools, fairs, and scholarships. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $37,500, with a median of $2,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; scholarship applications are handled separately through Heartland Trust Company.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
29
Total Given
$109K
SN Bud and Gloria Wolbach Charitable Foundati
Omaha, NE
The foundation funds a broad range of nonprofit programs, including community services, education, culture, health, housing, and youth mentoring, serving Hall, Hamilton, Howard, and Merrick counties and the Village of Wolbach in Nebraska. Recent grants ranged from $1,115 to $90,500, with a median of $10,000. It accepts applications through its form, submitted by email, mail, or hand delivery, with quarterly deadlines.
Assets
$8.2M
Grants
23
Total Given
$516K
More similar funders
More Funders in Nebraska
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Chief Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-chief-foundation-inc-morg_21a834273413456e933f6f192836f7e4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_204896971_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Chief Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-chief-foundation-inc-morg_21a834273413456e933f6f192836f7e4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 The Chief 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.
The Chief Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?