The Jet Award Foundation & Trust
The foundation's primary mission is to help end generational poverty by raising money for the johnny rodgers career and technical scholarships. Providing support to students with financial need in the way of a two year scholarship, enabling them to pursue degrees in career and technical education programs at metropolitan community college (MCC) in omaha. The jet award foundation and trust also annually celebrates the elite kick-off and punt returner in college football. Despite the recognition given to various positions in college football through postseason awards, the return specialist has been overlooked until the establishment of the jet award. The foundation aims to honor and acknowledge the best return specialist in college football each year.
The Jet Award Foundation & Trust at a glance
In short: The Jet Award Foundation & Trust gave $366K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $366K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $365,942
- +336.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $365,942
- +772.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $365,942
- Total assets
- $1,149,298
- -10.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Jet Award Foundation & Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Metropolitan Community College ($366K).
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 3 grants of 6 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Jet Award Foundation & Trust gives
- Giving grew 181% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 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 $84K (2024) to $366K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $366K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College Omaha, NE | Scholarships | $365,942 |
Ready to take the next step with The Jet Award Foundation & Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,149,298 | $671,347 | $611,248 | $365,942 | 1 | $40,312 |
| 2024 | $1,279,494 | $280,216 | $364,888 | $83,918 | 2 | $20,765 |
| 2023 | $67,431 | $497,745 | $446,007 | $100,000 | 1 | — |
| 2022 | $15,693 | $204,635 | $216,360 | $130,000 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | $27,418 | $249,940 | $237,029 | $156,950 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | $14,507 | $191,221 | $224,146 | $160,750 | 1 | — |
| 2019 | $47,432 | $250,133 | $198,920 | $110,000 | 1 | — |
About The Jet Award Foundation & Trust
Based on IRS filings
The Jet Award Foundation & Trust is a public charity focused on Education, based in Lincoln, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $366K. Net investment income was $40K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Jet Award Foundation & Trust is led by Vince Leisey, President on every filing since 2022; 2 of 16 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Vince Leisey
President
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Johnny Rodgers
Board Member
On filings since 2023
15 hrs/week
$12K (2023) → $26K (2025)
Michael C. Severe
Executive Di
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$73K (2023) → $135K (2025)
William Reed
Executive Officio
Board Member → Executive Officio, 2025
On filings since 2023
$3K (2024) → $0 (2025)
Patrick Z. Alston
Vice President
President → Chairman, 2022
Chairman → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth McCully
Secretary
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dick Zacharia
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denny Drake
Board Member
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Siemonsma
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Joni Flynn
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Kurt Wagner
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Lt Colonel Thomas Traylor
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Rob Trebilcock
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Fredrick Stehlik
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Margaret Evans
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Mike Alvano
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: David Nesselroad (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Clifton Hull (2019–2021) — Treasurer
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 $135K, to Michael C Severe (Executive Di). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Jet Award Foundation & Trust
How much does The Jet Award Foundation & Trust give each year?
The Jet Award Foundation & Trust gave $366K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $84K across 2 grants.
How large is The Jet Award Foundation & Trust?
The Jet Award Foundation & Trust reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $671K.
What is The Jet Award Foundation & Trust?
The Jet Award Foundation & Trust is a public charity focused on Education, based in Lincoln, NE. It holds $1.1M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does The Jet Award Foundation & Trust operate?
The Jet Award Foundation & Trust has awarded grants in Iowa, Nebraska.
What is The Jet Award Foundation & Trust's EIN?
The Jet Award Foundation & Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-2280198. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 6, 2026)
Live grants for the work The Jet Award Foundation & Trust funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Jet Award Foundation & Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Behrouz and Christiane Rassekh Foundation
Council Bluffs, IA
Assets
$1.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$8K
Immanuel
Omaha, NE
Recognizing that all we have comes from god, we have been called to be faithful and courageous stewards of god's resources. Following christ's call to serve, we will meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of seniors; respond to needs in community health; and support the ministry of the church.
Assets
$812.6M
Grants
3
Total Given
$122K
Iowa Automobile Dealers Foundation For Education
West Des Moines, IA
To invest in the future of the motor vehicle sales and service industry by awarding automotive scholarships. To develop programs and incentives with high schools, colleges, educational agencies, and the public to encourage automotive careers.
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
5
Total Given
$35K
Eli Namen Trust
Eagan, MN
Assets
$152K
Grants
5
Total Given
$6K
Nishnabotna Valley Foundation
Harlan, IA
Assets
$61K
Grants
7
Total Given
$9K
Elsie M O'Connell Testamentary Tr
Glenwood, IA
Assets
$781K
Grants
7
Total Given
$21K
More similar funders
More Funders in Nebraska
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Jet Award Foundation & Trust'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 Jet Award Foundation & Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?