The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation
The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation is a private foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. Its 2025 filing reports 53 grants totaling $386,600, with nearly all grant dollars going to recipients in Nebraska and the remainder to recipients in Iowa.
The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation at a glance
In short: The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation gave $387K across 53 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Nebraska. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $386,600
- +17.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 53
- +12.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,294
- +4.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $4,369,266
- +2.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (10 of 53, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing describes a letter or verbal request and states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. No award restrictions are listed.
- Review Cycle
- None listed.
- Deadline
- None listed.
- Contact
Application contact: The Fred And Sally Bekins Foundatio
Mailing address: 312 North 96Th Street, Omaha, NE 68114
Phone: (402) 399-0999
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Gillwell Foundation ($130K). Together the top 10 received $296K.
Grant Size Distribution
239 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 229 grants of 239 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska and 1% to recipients in Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 53 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 53 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 79% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 43% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $197K (2020) to $387K (2025). In 2025 it made 53 grants totaling $387K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gillwell Foundation Omaha, NE | Unsolicated Request for Funds | $130,000 |
| University of Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NE | Unsolicated Request for Funds | $70,000 |
| Henry Doorly Zoo Omaha, NE | Unsolicated Request for Funds | $40,500 |
| Boys & Girls Club Omaha, NE | Unsolicated Request for Funds | $10,000 |
| Foodbank for the Heartland Omaha, NE | Unsolicated Request for Funds | $10,000 |
| Northstar Foundation Omaha, NE | Unsolicated Request for Funds | $10,000 |
| Savings Grace Perishable Food Rescue Omaha, NE | Unsolicated Request for Funds | $10,000 |
| Children's Nebraska Hospital & Medical Center Foundation Omaha, NE | Unsolicated Request for Funds | $5,000 |
| Nebraska Humane Society Omaha, NE | Unsolicated Request for Funds | $5,000 |
| Omaha Home for Boys Omaha, NE | Unsolicated Request for Funds | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990-PF (a private foundation).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,369,266 | $486,546 | $391,764 | $386,600 | 53 | $386,600 | $151,732 | $392,867 |
| 2024 | $4,274,415 | $447,050 | $342,149 | $329,250 | 47 | $329,250 | $144,281 | $326,965 |
| 2023 | $4,170,087 | $449,933 | $240,399 | $230,250 | 43 | $230,250 | $148,347 | $263,601 |
| 2022 | $3,962,599 | $456,342 | $276,990 | $270,300 | 44 | $270,300 | $154,756 | $246,781 |
| 2021 | $3,783,832 | $480,259 | $222,065 | $216,250 | 52 | $216,250 | $178,674 | $234,792 |
| 2020 | $3,517,937 | $343,727 | $203,244 | $197,250 | 48 | — | $85,960 | $176,762 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation reported a distributable amount of $393K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 recipients include the Gillwell Foundation, whose stated mission is to support the Mid-America Council with programs and outdoor experiences, and the University of Nebraska Foundation, which says it grows relationships and resources to help the University of Nebraska change and save lives.
Other recipients describe work in areas including young men’s education and self-discipline (Northstar Foundation), affordable housing for people with disabilities (Sheltering Tree), animal services (Nebraska Humane Society), food and clothing assistance (Heartland Hope Mission), and rescue services for pets (Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue). Open Door Mission describes providing shelter, meals, and services intended to address homelessness and poverty.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 53 grants totaling $386,600. Awards ranged from $500 to $130,000, with a median grant of $2,000. Its largest grants included $130,000 to Gillwell Foundation, $70,000 to University of Nebraska Foundation, and $40,500 to Henry Doorly Zoo. Other notable awards were $10,000 each to Boys & Girls Club, Foodbank for the Heartland, Northstar Foundation, and Savings Grace Perishable Food Rescue; and $5,000 each to Children’s Nebraska Hospital & Medical Center Foundation, Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha Home for Boys, Scouting America Mid America Council, and Sheltering Tree.
The filing lists the purposes for the largest grants as “unsolicited request for funds.” The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Requests may be made by letter or verbally, and the filing lists no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following directors: Sally G Bekins, Cynthia Bekins Anderson, Sandra Bekins Von Reisen, John Bekins, Lauren T Gilmore, Julia T Rasell, and Haley N Bekins.
The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation's 2025 filing lists 7 officers; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cynthia Bekins Anderson
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Bekins
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sally G. Bekins
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Bekins Von Reisen
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Haley N. Bekins
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia T. Rasell
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren T. Gilmore
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
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 Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation
How much does The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation give each year?
The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation gave $387K across 53 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $329K across 47 grants.
What is The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation's typical grant size?
The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $7,294, across 53 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation that year got $15K on average.
Where does The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation give grants?
The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (48 grants) and Bellevue, NE (2 grants).
Does The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 53 grants with a stated purpose on The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Unsolicated Request for Funds" (53 grants).
Who are The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation's largest grantees?
The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Gillwell Foundation ($130,000), University of Nebraska Foundation ($70,000) and Henry Doorly Zoo ($40,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation?
The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $387K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $393K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation?
The filing describes a letter or verbal request and states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation's EIN?
The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0751383. 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-fred-and-sally-bekins-foundation-morg_a69a9e01d4d94ed994739e05da3a20d3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_470751383_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-fred-and-sally-bekins-foundation-morg_a69a9e01d4d94ed994739e05da3a20d3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Fred and Sally Bekins Foundation'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.
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