The Ethel S Abbott Charitable Foundation
The Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established in 1972 by founder Ethel S. Abbott. Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations and community initiatives that align with its charitable mission.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$35.4M
+12.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$639K
-20.4% YoY
Grant Count
34
-19.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-1.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation is to perpetuate the charitable generosity that Ethel S. Abbott demonstrated through her 97 years of life.
The foundation provides grants for:
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Higher education
- Hospitals and in-patient medical care
- Human services
- Support for the disadvantaged
- Environmental initiatives
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation can only make grants to 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities that operate in Nebraska or benefit Nebraskans. The foundation evaluates each grant request uniquely for its potential to impact people's lives and make a difference in the community.
Grant Range
$1,000–$190,000
Average Grant
$81 (based on available data)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations and initiatives in Nebraska. However, based on recent grant activity, it also supports projects in:
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Montana
- New Mexico
- Washington
The foundation's primary geographic focus remains Nebraska, with a requirement that grantees either operate in the state or benefit Nebraskans.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (FY 2024):
- Total assets: $35,409,651
- Total revenues: $1,446,163
- Total expenses: $919,599
- Investment income and dividends: $629,839
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $815,814
Support: The foundation is supported by the Alex Masterman Trust.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $35,409,651 | $31,404,714 | $28,448,982 |
| Revenue | $1,446,163 | $604,473 | $580,801 |
| Expenses | $919,599 | $1,073,006 | $960,035 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $919,599 | $1,073,006 | $960,035 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,164,804 | $334,317 | $267,264 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,532,796 | $1,416,931 | $1,577,264 |
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
191 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Ethel S Abbott Charitable Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- Dorothy Pflug, President
- Denise L. Scholz, Treasurer
- Daniel E. Lienemann, Secretary
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DANIEL E LIENEMANN | SECRETARY | 5 | $21,600 |
| DEL A LIENEMANN JR | TRUSTEE | 2 | $9,600 |
| DENISE L SCHOLZ | TREASURER | 5 | $28,800 |
| DOROTHY PFLUG | PRESIDENT | 10 | $33,600 |
| JAMES CARPENTER | TRUSTEE | 2 | $8,800 |
| LAURA BISHOP | TRUSTEE/VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | $9,600 |
| RACHEL LIENEMANN | TRUSTEE | 2 | $9,600 |
| REBECCA CHRISTIE | TRUSTEE | 2 | $9,600 |
Contact Information
- Website: www.abbottfoundation.org
- Phone: 402-339-4899
- Mailing Address: PO Box 83286, Lincoln, NE 68501-3286
- EIN: 23-7265876
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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