The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens
The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Lincoln, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $945K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 15 grants totaling $46K. Net investment income was $2K.
Key facts about The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens
- EIN
- 87-3631614
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $46,400
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- Average grant
- $3,093
- Median grant
- $500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 73% first-time grantees (11 of 15, 2024)
- Total assets
- $945,263
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (67% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens's 15 itemized 2024 grants were Nebraska (67%) and Tennessee (26%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lincoln, NE (9 grants). None of its 15 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.
Is The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens open to new grantees?
73%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 15 grantees (73%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $627; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $9K repeat.
- 13% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2022–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$945K
+20.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$46K
+30.3% YoY
Grant Count
15
+87.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-30.5% YoY
About The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens
Based on IRS filings
The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Lincoln, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $945K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 15 grants totaling $46K. Net investment income was $2K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 15 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $945,263 | $784,564 | $707,832 |
| Revenue | $257,522 | $112,726 | $240,388 |
| Expenses | $46,663 | $35,825 | $41,958 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $46,663 | $35,825 | $41,958 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,824 | $12,704 | $12,166 |
| Distributable Amount | — | $1,841 | $26,980 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
29 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include New Covenant Community Church ($21,500), CBMC ($12,000), Youth for Christ ($5,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NEW COVENANT COMMUNITY CHURCH Lincoln, NE | MISSION OF THE CHURCH | $21,500 |
| CBMC Chattanooga, TN | MINISTRY SUPPORT | $12,000 |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST Lincoln, NE | YOUTH MINISTRY | $5,000 |
| THE GROVE CHURCH Liberty Hill, TX | RELIGIOUS OUTREACH | $2,000 |
| NAVIGATORS Colorado Springs, CO | HELP REPLACE MINISTRY VEHICLE | $1,000 |
| TEAMMATES MENTORING Lincoln, NE | YOUTH MENTORING | $1,000 |
| SAMARITANS PURSE Boone, NC | OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES | $500 |
| CENTERPOINTE Lincoln, NE | STREET OUTREACH HOUSING | $500 |
| FOOD BANK OF LINCOLN Lincoln, NE | FOOD ASSISTANCE | $500 |
| THE SALVATION ARMY Lincoln, NE | FOODSHELTERPUBLIC ASSISTANCE | $500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert L Stephens | Trustee | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens?
The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Lincoln, NE. It holds $945K in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens?
As of 2024, The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens holds $945K in total assets with $258K in annual revenue. It awarded 15 grants totaling $46K in 2024.
Where does The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens operate?
The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens has awarded grants in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas.
What size grants does The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens award?
In 2024, The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens awarded 15 grants totaling $46K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens's EIN?
The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-3631614. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.