The George H and Elta Spencer
The George H and Elta Spencer is a private foundation based in Sterling, Colorado. Its 2025 filing describes support for educational, religious, scientific, and charitable purposes, including purposes benefiting citizens or nonprofit organizations located in or benefiting citizens of Cheyenne County, Nebraska.
The George H and Elta Spencer at a glance
In short: The George H and Elta Spencer gave $47K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $46,500
- +5.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- -9.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,650
- +16.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $738,645
- +2.5% 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 October 2026.
How to apply to The George H and Elta Spencer
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its filing says contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations. It lists written materials and restrictions to educational, religious, scientific, and charitable purposes, and funding for purposes beneficial to citizens or nonprofit organizations located in or benefiting citizens of Cheyenne County, Nebraska.
- Review Cycle
- December 31, as listed on the 2025 filing; this date has passed.
- Deadline
- December 31, as listed on the 2025 filing; this date has passed.
- Contact
Application contact: Stan Belieu
Mailing address: 541 William Way, Sidney, NE 69162
Phone: (308) 254-4063
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The George H and Elta Spencer funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Health Center Foundation ($12K). Together the top 9 received $42K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 46 grants of 46 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Nebraska. The filing’s stated restrictions include funding for purposes benefiting citizens or nonprofit organizations located in or benefiting citizens of Cheyenne County, Nebraska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The George H and Elta Spencer gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 161% 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $36K (2023) to $47K (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $47K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Health Center Foundation Sidney, NE | Operating | $12,000 |
| University of Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NE | Scholarships | $10,000 |
| Sidney Public Schools Sidney, NE | Scholarships | $7,500 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $5,000 |
| Living Memorial Gardens Sidney, NE | Operating | $2,500 |
| Freinds of the Public Library Sidney, NE | Operating | $2,500 |
| Cheyenne County E3 Sidney, NE | Operating | $2,000 |
| Cheyenne County Hospital Assoc Sidney, NE | Operating | $2,000 |
| Pandhandle Home School Connection Sidney, NE | Operating | $2,000 |
| Sidney Gold Rush Days Sidney, NE | Operating | $1,000 |
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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 | $738,645 | $84,633 | $66,404 | $46,500 | 10 | $56,158 | $74,069 | $34,899 |
| 2024 | $720,416 | $62,460 | $64,138 | $44,000 | 11 | $56,645 | $54,862 | $34,759 |
| 2023 | $722,094 | $36,782 | $53,671 | $36,435 | 8 | $49,122 | $30,883 | $41,038 |
| 2022 | $738,983 | $20,455 | $59,303 | $40,990 | 9 | $43,645 | $12,815 | $40,216 |
| 2021 | $777,831 | $128,420 | $60,344 | $45,846 | 8 | $48,179 | $127,058 | $44,966 |
| 2020 | $709,755 | $28,391 | $58,251 | $44,673 | 11 | — | $25,909 | $40,363 |
| 2019 | $739,615 | $37,422 | $57,016 | $42,900 | 10 | — | $30,208 | $38,872 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The George H and Elta Spencer reported a distributable amount of $35K 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 filing lists educational, religious, scientific, and charitable purposes, as well as funding for purposes beneficial to citizens or nonprofit organizations located in or benefiting citizens of Cheyenne County, Nebraska. Its 2025 grants included scholarships and operating support.
Among the organizations it supported, the University of Nebraska Foundation describes its mission as growing relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. Sidney Public Schools describes its mission as providing scholarships and funding for educational opportunities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $46,500 across 10 grants. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $12,000, with a median of $2,500.
The largest grants included $12,000 to Health Center Foundation for operating support, $10,000 to University of Nebraska Foundation for scholarships, $7,500 to Sidney Public Schools for scholarships, and $5,000 to Chadron State College Foundation for scholarships. Other recipients included Living Memorial Gardens ($2,500), Friends of the Public Library ($2,500), Cheyenne County E3 ($2,000), Cheyenne County Hospital Association ($2,000), Panhandle Home School Connection ($2,000), and Sidney Gold Rush Days ($1,000); these grants were listed for operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Stan Belieu as president; Steven M. Smith as treasurer/secretary; and Burke Radcliffe and Stacy Schumacher as directors.
The George H and Elta Spencer is led by Stan Belieu, President since 2020 (on filings since 2019); all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stan Belieu
President
Secretary → President, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$2K (2019) → $2K (2025)
Burke Radcliffe
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Stacy Schumacher
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Steven M. Smith
Treasurer & Secretary
Treasurer → Treasurer & Secretary, 2020
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
$7K (2019) → $8K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Daryl Conger (2019) — Director
- Former: Thomas L. Kokjer (2019) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $8K, to Steven M Smith (Treasurer/Se). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The George H and Elta Spencer
How much does The George H and Elta Spencer give each year?
The George H and Elta Spencer gave $47K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $44K across 11 grants.
What is The George H and Elta Spencer's typical grant size?
The George H and Elta Spencer's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $4,650, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The George H and Elta Spencer give grants?
The George H and Elta Spencer gives mostly in Nebraska: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sidney, NE (8 grants).
Does The George H and Elta Spencer give general operating support?
Yes: 70% of The George H and Elta Spencer's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (3 grants).
Who are The George H and Elta Spencer's largest grantees?
The George H and Elta Spencer's largest 2025 grantees include Health Center Foundation ($12,000), University of Nebraska Foundation ($10,000) and Sidney Public Schools ($7,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The George H and Elta Spencer?
The George H and Elta Spencer reported $739K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $56K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The George H and Elta Spencer fund?
The foundation’s filing lists educational, religious, scientific, and charitable purposes, as well as funding for purposes beneficial to citizens or nonprofit organizations located in or benefiting citizens of Cheyenne County, Nebraska. Its 2025 grants included scholarships and operating support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The George H and Elta Spencer?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The George H and Elta Spencer's EIN?
The George H and Elta Spencer's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0792705. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The George H and Elta Spencer accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 23, 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 August 18, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work The George H and Elta Spencer funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
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- 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
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