The Sherwood Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska, established in 1999. The foundation provides grants to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, schools, and churches serving Nebraska. The organization operates with a small staff of 2 employees and is committed to making Nebraska a more equitable place to live, work, learn, and play.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$256.1M
+30.1% YoY
Grant Count
830
+59.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$309K
-18.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Sherwood Foundation promotes equity through social justice initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Nebraska. The foundation defines social justice as the proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes, and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes for all.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Human Services
- Economic and Community Development
- Criminal Justice
- Health
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
The foundation gives through a social justice lens, prioritizing initiatives that address unmet needs and underserved communities.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$10,000 to $25.1 million
Review Cycle
- Due dates vary by grant type
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Sherwood Foundation limits grants to organizations serving Nebraska. More than half of its grants stay in the Omaha and Lincoln areas of the state. The foundation also makes grants in Iowa and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $716,342,304 (2024)
Annual Giving:
- $256,149,756 (2024)
Total Revenues:
- $653,058,726 (2024)
Total Expenses:
- $267,908,764 (2024)
Funding History: The Sherwood Foundation was established in 1999 by Susan Alice Buffett with an initial gift of $1 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock. In November 2022, the foundation received an additional 300,000 Class B shares in Berkshire Hathaway stock from Warren Buffett, reinforcing its long-term sustainability.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Sherwood Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Black and Pink Inc ($3,515,716), Aclu Nebraska Foundation Inc ($1,012,794), Avenue Scholars ($850,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 BLACK MEN OF OMAHA INC OMAHA, NE | 2024 OPERATING GRANT | $50,000 |
| 100 BLACK MEN OF OMAHA INC OMAHA, NE | 2025 OPERATING GRANT | $50,000 |
| 3 SISTERS OMAHA, NE | 2024 OPERATING GRANT | $50,000 |
| 3 SISTERS OMAHA, NE | 2025 OPERATING GRANT | $50,000 |
| ACLU NEBRASKA FOUNDATION INC LINCOLN, NE | 2024 OPERATING GRANT | $505,625 |
| ACLU NEBRASKA FOUNDATION INC LINCOLN, NE | 2025 OPERATING GRANT | $1,012,794 |
| AFRICAN CULTURE CONNECTION OMAHA, NE | 2024 OPERATING GRANT | $100,000 |
| AFRICAN CULTURE CONNECTION OMAHA, NE | AFRICAN CULTURE & HISTORY EXPERIENCE FOR YOUTH & COMMUNITY | $150,000 |
| AFRICAN CULTURE CONNECTION OMAHA, NE | 2025 OPERATING GRANT | $100,000 |
| AFRICAN IMMIGRANT FAMILY SERVICES OMAHA, NE | 2024 OPERATING GRANT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Sherwood Foundation is founded and chaired by Susan "Susie" Alice Buffett, the eldest child of Warren Buffett. Susie previously worked as a teacher in Omaha and now dedicates most of her time to philanthropy, overseeing multiple foundations.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN A BUFFETT | CHAIRMAN | 40 | $561,621 |
| SHARI LECCI | VP OF FINANCE | 40 | $233,208 |
| RICHARD PUTNAM | SECRETARY & LEGAL COUNSEL | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL GREENBERG | MEMBER | 2 | — |
| EMILY GREENBERG | MEMBER | 2 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2024, the Sherwood Foundation made significant grants including:
The Sherwood Foundation \u2013 We provide grants that help ...$24,659,375 to the University of Nebraska Foundation for the Next Project (capital/construction fund)
$15,079,480 to the Buffett Early Childhood Fund (2024 operating grant)
$15,050,216 to the Buffett Early Childhood Fund (2024 operating grant)
The foundation also donated $1.1 million for direct support to Lexington Tyson employees affected by workforce disruptions.
Sherwood Foundation donates $1.1 million for direct support for LexingtonContact Information
- Address: 808 Conagra Drive, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68102
- Phone: (402) 341-1717
- Email: info@sherwoodfoundation.org
- Website: sherwoodfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Sherwood Foundation fund?
The Sherwood Foundation promotes equity through social justice initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Nebraska. The foundation defines social justice as the proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes, and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes for all. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Human Services • Economic and Community Development • Criminal Justice • Health • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantm…
How do I apply for a grant from The Sherwood Foundation?
**Grant Types:** • Operating Grants (unrestricted funds supporting broad organizational mission work) • Program Grants • Capital Grants • Project Support **Grant Amounts:** • Typical awards range from $650 to $30,998,000 • Median grant amount: $75,000 • Grant range: $10,000 to $25.1 million **Annual Giving:** • $256,149,756 in 2024 (830 grants) **Application Process:** • First-time applicants must email info@sherwoodfoundation.org before submitting to determine grant fit • Decision time: Approx…
Where does The Sherwood Foundation make grants?
The Sherwood Foundation limits grants to organizations serving Nebraska. More than half of its grants stay in the Omaha and Lincoln areas of the state. The foundation also makes grants in Iowa and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does The Sherwood Foundation award?
In 2024, The Sherwood Foundation awarded 830 grants totaling $256.1M — an average of about $309K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Sherwood Foundation's EIN?
The Sherwood Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0824755. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sherwood Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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