The Sherwood Foundation
The Sherwood Foundation is a private foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. It provides grants to help make Nebraska a more equitable place to live, work, learn, and play, with support for organizations’ general operations, specific programs, and capital needs.
The Sherwood Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sherwood Foundation gave $296.3M across 790 grants in 2025 (avg $375K), mostly in Nebraska. 32% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $296,341,131
- +15.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 790
- -4.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $375,115
- +21.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $90,000
- Total assets
- $977,795,342
- +36.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (159 of 503, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Sherwood Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and uses an invitation-only application process. Organizations can submit an inquiry form at least one month before the relevant application window. The foundation reviews inquiries for alignment and may invite organizations to a conversation; those that are closely aligned with its priorities and eligibility requirements may then receive an invitation by email to apply. Operating grants are unrestricted and support an organization’s work broadly. Program grants are restricted to a specific program. Capital grants support land purchases, construction, renovations, or significant equipment and other long-term asset purchases.
- Review Cycle
- Operating grant applications are accepted September 1–30. Program and capital grant applications are accepted February 1–28. Applications close at noon CST.
- Deadline
- Operating grant applications are accepted September 1–30.
- Contact
Mailing address: 808 Conagra Drive 200, Omaha, NE 68102
Phone: (402) 341-1717
Website: https://sherwoodfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Sherwood Foundation
Who The Sherwood Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Buffett Early Childhood Fund ($30.2M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $123.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
3,352 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 954 grants of 3,352 (28%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated grantmaking purpose is focused on Nebraska. In 2025, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska; other recipient-state shares were Iowa (4%), the District of Columbia (2%), New York (1%), and Massachusetts (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 790 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Sherwood Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 159 of 503 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $291K; repeat grants $727K. How we count
Medians: $80K first-time, $150K repeat.
- 60% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 29% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 984% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $196.9M (2023) to $296.3M (2025). In 2025 it made 790 grants totaling $296.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha Community Foundation Omaha, NE | Omaha North Stadium/Butler Gast YMCA Project | $15,106,582 |
| Buffett Early Childhood Fund Omaha, NE | 2025 Operating Grant | $15,100,000 |
| Buffett Early Childhood Fund Omaha, NE | 2025 Operating Grant | $15,089,706 |
| Southside Redevelopment Corporation Omaha, NE | CNI Funding | $15,004,381 |
| Conservation Foundation of Dickinson County Okoboji, IA | Donation of Property | $10,304,734 |
| Rise Academy Omaha, NE | Omaha Campus Capital Grant | $10,026,860 |
| Girls Incorporated of Omaha Omaha, NE | New South Center Capital Grant | $7,006,972 |
| Community Information Trust Omaha, NE | Omaha Central Public Library Project | $5,579,890 |
| Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority Omaha, NE | Convention Center Expansion Capital Grant | $5,086,663 |
| Omaha Parks Foundation Omaha, NE | Omaha Central Baseball/Boyd Park | $5,011,904 |
Ready to take the next step with The Sherwood Foundation?
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 | $977,795,342 | $943,412,098 | $319,391,186 | $296,341,131 | 790 | $316,062,342 | $422,342,772 | $32,106,195 |
| 2024 | $716,342,304 | $653,058,726 | $267,908,764 | $256,149,756 | 830 | $274,383,329 | $222,011,931 | $23,903,638 |
| 2023 | $459,948,692 | $503,372,870 | $209,446,530 | $196,929,490 | 522 | $212,965,539 | $145,639,382 | $13,983,034 |
| 2022 | $284,812,889 | $366,175,076 | $238,933,841 | $229,120,242 | 545 | $242,741,426 | $52,074,171 | $9,047,779 |
| 2021 | $199,510,440 | $357,916,573 | $304,622,574 | $293,088,109 | 665 | $306,435,879 | $133,632,058 | $9,577,311 |
| 2020 | $270,259,993 | $159,185,669 | $230,037,155 | $212,370,077 | 539 | — | $213,566,562 | $9,534,646 |
| 2019 | $340,756,286 | $201,172,830 | $223,631,886 | $224,481,097 | 575 | — | $50,375,674 | $15,947,256 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sherwood Foundation reported a distributable amount of $32.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to promote equity through social justice initiatives that enhance quality of life in Nebraska. Its stated vision emphasizes equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes. Its program information identifies urban and rural community partnerships and early childhood education as areas of focus.
The foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, schools, and churches. Its 2025 grantees included organizations with a range of missions: Omaha Community Foundation describes its work as cultivating generosity and strengthening nonprofits; Buffett Early Childhood Fund focuses on early-childhood practice, policy, and science; and RISE Academy states that its mission is to break generational cycles of incarceration. Southside Redevelopment Corporation describes its work as neighborhood revitalization in South Omaha, and Girls Incorporated of Omaha serves girls ages 5 through 18.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 790 grants totaling $296,341,131. Awards ranged from $1,626 to $15,106,582, with a median grant of $90,000. Among the largest were $15,106,582 to Omaha Community Foundation for the Omaha North Stadium/Butler Gast YMCA project; two operating grants to Buffett Early Childhood Fund of $15,100,000 and $15,089,706; and $15,004,381 to Southside Redevelopment Corporation for CNI funding. Other major awards included $10,304,734 to Conservation Foundation of Dickinson County for a property donation and $10,026,860 to RISE Academy for its Omaha campus.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Susan A. Buffett as chairman; Shari Lecci as vice president of finance; Richard Putnam as secretary and legal counsel; and Michael Greenberg and Emily Greenberg as members.
The Sherwood Foundation is led by Susan A. Buffett, Chairman on every filing since 2019; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Susan A. Buffett
Chairman
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$449K (2019) → $585K (2025)
Shari Lecci
Vice President of Finance
Director of Finance → Vice President of Finance, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$176K (2019) → $255K (2025)
Richard Putnam
Secretary & Legal Counsel
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Greenberg
Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Greenberg
Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Allen Greenberg (2019–2022) — Member
- Former: Roberta Wilhelm (2019–2022) — Member
- Former: Wallace Weitz (2019–2022) — Member
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 $585K, to Susan a Buffett (Chairman). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Sherwood Foundation
How much does The Sherwood Foundation give each year?
The Sherwood Foundation gave $296.3M across 790 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $256.1M across 830 grants.
What is The Sherwood Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sherwood Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $90,000, and its average grant was $375,115, across 790 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Sherwood Foundation that year got $291K on average.
Where does The Sherwood Foundation give grants?
The Sherwood Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (446 grants), Lincoln, NE (120 grants), Grand Island, NE (16 grants) and Washington, DC (14 grants).
Does The Sherwood Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 52% of The Sherwood Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (409 of 790) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Binti Support" (7 grants), "Donation of Property" (6 grants) and "Capacity Building" (4 grants).
Who are The Sherwood Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sherwood Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Buffett Early Childhood Fund ($30,189,706 across 2 grants), Omaha Community Foundation ($17,754,433 across 7 grants) and Southside Redevelopment Corporation ($15,039,381 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Sherwood Foundation?
The Sherwood Foundation reported $977.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $316.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $32.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Sherwood Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to promote equity through social justice initiatives that enhance quality of life in Nebraska. Its stated vision emphasizes equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sherwood Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and uses an invitation-only application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2019–2025.
Does The Sherwood Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 May 5, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work The Sherwood Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Sherwood Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Sherwood Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-sherwood-foundation-morg_83b08cdb3b124279b7f20d7429d9761a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_470824755_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Sherwood Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-sherwood-foundation-morg_83b08cdb3b124279b7f20d7429d9761a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Sherwood 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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