The Hawks Foundation
The Hawks Foundation is an Omaha, Nebraska–based private foundation formed in 1994 by Howard L. Hawks. Its stated purpose is to advance higher education and promote ethical business practices, and its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations supporting community programs in areas including education, mental health, arts, legal aid, and healthcare.
The Hawks Foundation at a glance
In short: The Hawks Foundation gave $32.6M across 141 grants in 2024 (avg $231K), mostly in Nebraska. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $32,624,070
- +22.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 141
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $231,376
- +63.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $413,054,555
- +22.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (26 of 126, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Hawks Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit the applicable scholarship or medical program form and required materials. The filing lists Rhonda A. Hawks as the contact for applications.
- Review Cycle
- N/A in the filing.
- Deadline
- N/A in the filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Rhonda A Hawks
Mailing address: 14302 Fnb Parkway, Omaha, NE 68154
Phone: (402) 691-9500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Hawks Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Schwab Donor Advised Fund ($6.9M). Together the top 10 received $26.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 5 individual scholarships ($35,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
807 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 593 grants of 807 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska and 22% to recipients in New York. The filing also reports 1% each for Iowa, Texas, and Massachusetts; the percentages may not total 100% because of rounding.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 141 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Hawks Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 26 of 126 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $343K; repeat grants $237K. How we count
Medians: $33K first-time, $47K repeat.
- 61% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 1643% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 125% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2021) to $32.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 141 grants totaling $32.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Schwab Donor Advised Fund New York, NY | General Support | $6,949,615 |
| Omaha Public Library Foundation Omaha, NE | Support Library Collections | $6,050,000 |
| Community Alliance Foundation Omaha, NE | Support Mental Health Programs | $2,515,000 |
| Child Savings Institute Omaha, NE | Support Child & Family Services | $2,016,000 |
| Child Savings Institute Omaha, NE | Support Child & Family | $2,002,980 |
| Downtown Riverfront Trust Omaha, NE | Support Community Park Project | $2,000,000 |
| Museum of Nebraska Art Kearney, NE | Support Art Museuam | $1,500,000 |
| Omaha Community Playhouse Omaha, NE | Support Performing Arts | $1,070,000 |
| Justice for Our Neighbors Omaha, NE | Support Legal Aid for Immigrants and Refugees | $950,015 |
| University of NE Foundation Lincoln, NE | Support Education Programs and Scholarships | $702,599 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $413,054,555 | $108,454,520 | $35,541,242 | $32,624,070 | 141 | $33,509,873 | $29,170,757 | $26,784,152 |
| 2023 | $335,983,127 | $159,291,093 | $28,802,083 | $26,656,230 | 188 | $27,367,155 | $59,743,840 | $18,763,222 |
| 2022 | $248,402,571 | $55,765,200 | $26,515,363 | $24,959,657 | 158 | $25,510,446 | $8,150,727 | $17,101,101 |
| 2021 | $219,357,783 | $65,081,612 | $2,789,146 | $1,871,964 | 96 | $2,132,587 | $4,546,107 | $13,442,340 |
| 2020 | $157,366,226 | $21,882,676 | $14,794,896 | $23,447,840 | 224 | — | $5,534,251 | $9,583,040 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Hawks Foundation reported a distributable amount of $26.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose centers on higher education and ethical business practices. In 2024, it reported supporting a range of organizations. For example, the Omaha Public Library Foundation says its mission is to raise funds and advocate for the Omaha Public Library; Community Alliance Foundation says it helps people with mental illness pursue their potential and participate in a community of mutual support. The Downtown Riverfront Trust describes its work as planning, designing, and constructing Omaha’s Tri-Park complex.
Other 2024 recipients include organizations whose stated missions encompass Nebraska visual art, live theatre and arts education, family support services, long-term treatment for women with substance use, and access to education for women. These are the missions of the recipient organizations, not stated missions of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 141 grants totaling $32,624,070. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $6,949,615, with a median of $40,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $6,949,615 to Schwab Donor Advised Fund for general support; $6,050,000 to Omaha Public Library Foundation for library collections; $2,515,000 to Community Alliance Foundation for mental health programs; $2,016,000 and $2,002,980 to Child Savings Institute for child and family services; and $2,000,000 to Downtown Riverfront Trust for a community park project. Other notable grants included $1,500,000 to Museum of Nebraska Art, $1,070,000 to Omaha Community Playhouse, and $950,015 to Justice for Our Neighbors for legal aid for immigrants and refugees.
The filing describes application procedures for scholarship and medical program applicants. Scholarship applicants should submit a completed scholarship form with required attachments, including financial information, a grade transcript, and ACT results. Medical program applicants should submit a completed medical program form with financial information. Forms are available at the foundation’s office. Scholarship applicants must be full-time students, demonstrate financial need, and maintain at least a 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Howard L. Hawks as trustee through December 6, 2024; Neal H. Hawks and Troy T. Hawks as trustees; and Rhonda A. Hawks as vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Other listed trustees are Lisa D. Thomsen, Rachel J. Clay, Julie M. Cobb, and Ronald N. Quinn. Julie M. Cobb is also listed as executive director.
The Hawks Foundation is led by Julie M. Cobb, Executive Director & Trustee since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Julie M. Cobb
Executive Director & Trustee
Trustee → Executive Director & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2022
36 hrs/week
$232K (2023) → $250K (2024)
Howard L. Hawks
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Neal H. Hawks
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Troy T. Hawks
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa D. Thomsen
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel J. Clay
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronald N. Quinn
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rhonda A. Hawks
Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer
Trustee → Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Heather L. Hawks (2020–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $250K, to Julie M Cobb (Ed/Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Hawks Foundation
How much does The Hawks Foundation give each year?
The Hawks Foundation gave $32.6M across 141 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $26.7M across 188 grants.
What is The Hawks Foundation's typical grant size?
The Hawks Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $40,000, and its average grant was $231,376, across 141 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Hawks Foundation that year got $343K on average.
Where does The Hawks Foundation give grants?
The Hawks Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (94 grants), Lincoln, NE (13 grants), Council Bluffs, IA (8 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does The Hawks Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 1% of The Hawks Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 141) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship Program" (11 grants), "Support Education Programs and Scholarships" (4 grants) and "Support Scholarship Program" (3 grants).
Who are The Hawks Foundation's largest grantees?
The Hawks Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Schwab Donor Advised Fund ($6,949,615), Omaha Public Library Foundation ($6,050,000) and Child Savings Institute ($4,018,980 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 5 individual scholarships ($35,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Hawks Foundation?
The Hawks Foundation reported $413.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $33.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $26.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Hawks Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose centers on higher education and ethical business practices. In 2024, it reported supporting a range of organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Hawks Foundation?
Submit the applicable scholarship or medical program form and required materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Hawks Foundation's EIN?
The Hawks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6194021. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Hawks Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Hawks Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-hawks-foundation-morg_16c26ecaeded46efbd58f65f4ac80638
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_476194021_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Hawks Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-hawks-foundation-morg_16c26ecaeded46efbd58f65f4ac80638},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Hawks 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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