The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust
The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Gordon, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $689K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $34K. Net investment income was $29K.
The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust gave $34K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $33,571
- -2.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,595
- -2.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,768
- Total assets
- $689,342
- -1.1% 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 September 2026.
Who The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Gordon Memorial Hospital ($13K). Together the top 6 received $34K.
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 27 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+20%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $28K (2022) to $41K (2021). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $34K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gordon Memorial Hospital Gordon, NE | New Whirlpool Bathtub for Nursing Home | $12,500 |
| Gordon Senior Citizen Center Gordon, NE | Insurance on Building | $11,535 |
| Sheridan County Agricultural Society Gordon, NE | Update Electrical and Equipment | $3,536 |
| Gordon Community Theater Gordon, NE | Hvac System | $2,000 |
| Willow Tree Festival Gordon, NE | Assistance with Expenses Related to Annual Festival | $2,000 |
| Care Foundation Gordon, NE | Fundraising Assistance | $2,000 |
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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 | $689,342 | $29,516 | $36,915 | $33,571 | 6 | $33,571 | $29,227 | $33,636 |
| 2024 | $696,741 | $39,286 | $37,351 | $34,569 | 6 | $34,569 | $39,032 | $33,571 |
| 2023 | $694,806 | $16,860 | $38,451 | $35,990 | 7 | $35,990 | $16,399 | $34,569 |
| 2022 | $716,396 | $7,881 | $31,252 | $28,067 | 3 | $28,067 | — | $35,990 |
| 2021 | $739,767 | $401,974 | $49,306 | $41,000 | 5 | $41,000 | — | $36,737 |
| 2020 | $724,512 | $6 | $41,260 | $30,088 | 5 | — | $6 | $32,420 |
| 2019 | $679,755 | $29 | $45,878 | $35,000 | 7 | — | $29 | $32,517 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $34K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust is led by Cheryl Ginkens, President since 2025 (on filings since 2019); none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cheryl Ginkens
President
Trustee → President, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Freeseman
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shirley Adkinson
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dayna Browder
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lacey Swayne
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Sherry R. Smith (2019–2024) — Chair Person
- Former: Fred Hlava (2019–2021) — Chairman
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.
Frequently asked questions about The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust
How much does The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust give each year?
The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust gave $34K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $35K across 6 grants.
What is The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust's median grant in 2025 was $2,768, and its average grant was $5,595, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust give grants?
The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust 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 Gordon, NE (6 grants).
Does The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Gordon Memorial Hospital ($12,500), Gordon Senior Citizen Center ($11,535) and Sheridan County Agricultural Society ($3,536), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust?
The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust reported $689K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $34K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $34K (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 is The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust?
The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Gordon, NE. It holds $689K in total assets as of 2025.
What is The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust's EIN?
The John & Marie Ukena Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0717764. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 July 30, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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