The Village Foundation
The Village Foundation is a private foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Founded in 2002, it is a local nonprofit dedicated to the development of children and youth in Nebraska and western Iowa.
The Village Foundation at a glance
In short: The Village Foundation gave $17K across 15 grants in 2023 (avg $1K), mostly in Nebraska. 60% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $16,619
- -30.6% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 15
- +0.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $1,108
- -30.6% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $778
- Total assets
- $789,907
- +113.3% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 60% first-time grantees (9 of 15, 2023; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Village Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website invites young people seeking an activity scholarship to apply online or request a paper application. Applicants are asked to provide one or more recommendations from teachers, coaches, or sponsoring adults. Applications are judged on funding need, the applicant’s perceived ability to achieve the activity’s benefits, and the applicant’s desire and sincerity as expressed in the application and recommendations. The 2022 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and lists eligible locations as Nebraska or western Iowa.
- Review Cycle
- The 2022 filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The 2022 filing states that there are no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: The Village Foundation
Mailing address: 7907 Nob Hill Road, Lincoln, NE 68516-3885
Phone: (402) 464-5428
Website: https://www.villagefound.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Village Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Theatre Arts for Kids ($7K). Together the top 10 received $15K.
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 66 grants of 66 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as serving children and youth in Nebraska and western Iowa. Its 2022 filing states that awards must be located in Nebraska or western Iowa. All reported 2023 grant dollars went to recipients in Nebraska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Village Foundation open to new grantees?
60%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 9 of 15 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $670; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $600 first-time, $789 repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2023). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2020) to $24K (2022). In 2023 it made 15 grants totaling $17K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Theatre Arts for Kids Lincoln, NE | Operating | $6,530 |
| Osmond FBLA Osmond, NE | Operating | $1,500 |
| NHRI Leadership Mentoring Lincoln, NE | Operating | $1,430 |
| North Star FBLA Lincoln, NE | Operating | $1,000 |
| Lincoln Southwest FBLA Lincoln, NE | Operating | $900 |
| North Star Basketball Lincoln, NE | Operating | $875 |
| Lincoln East FBLA Lincoln, NE | Operating | $800 |
| Bloom Dance Studio Elkhorn, NE | Operating | $778 |
| Heartland Conservatory of Dance Omaha, NE | Operating | $700 |
| Willard Community Center Lincoln, NE | Operating | $600 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $789,907 | $436,742 | $17,079 | $16,619 | 15 | $16,619 | $436,742 |
| 2022 | $370,244 | $25,821 | $25,195 | $23,939 | 15 | $23,939 | $22,881 |
| 2021 | $369,618 | — | $18,808 | $11,508 | 8 | — | — |
| 2020 | $388,426 | — | $11,517 | $10,617 | 9 | — | — |
| 2019 | $399,943 | $52,000 | $24,248 | $23,049 | 19 | — | $52,000 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support the development of children and youth in Nebraska and western Iowa. Its activity scholarships may support programs in academics, fine arts, drama, music, and athletics or sports.
Its 2023 grants included support for organizations such as FBLA groups, dance and ballet organizations, and a basketball program. Willard Community Center, which received $600 in 2023, describes its mission as helping area residents “grow, connect, and contribute to our community.”
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation made 15 grants totaling $16,619. The median grant was $778; awards ranged from $200 to $6,530. Recent filing-year totals were $23,939 across 15 grants in 2022 and $11,508 across 8 grants in 2021.
The largest reported 2023 grants included $6,530 to Theatre Arts for Kids, $1,500 to Osmond FBLA, $1,430 to NHRI Leadership Mentoring, and $1,000 to North Star FBLA. Other recipients included Lincoln Southwest FBLA ($900), North Star Basketball ($875), Lincoln East FBLA ($800), Bloom Dance Studio ($778), Heartland Conservatory of Dance ($700), and Willard Community Center ($600).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Edward Muller as president, Kelly V Muller and Josh Johnston as directors, and Leigh Ann Muller as “VICE PRESIDE.”
The Village Foundation is led by Edward Muller, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 4 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Edward Muller
President
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Josh Johnston
Director
Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Kelly V. Muller
Director
Vice President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Leigh Ann Muller
Vice President
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Ed Muller (2019–2020) — President
- Former: Kay V. Muller (2019–2020) — First Vice P
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "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 Village Foundation
How much does The Village Foundation give each year?
The Village Foundation gave $17K across 15 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $24K across 15 grants.
What is The Village Foundation's typical grant size?
The Village Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $778, and its average grant was $1,108, across 15 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Village Foundation that year got $670 on average.
Where does The Village Foundation give grants?
The Village Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lincoln, NE (9 grants) and Omaha, NE (4 grants).
Does The Village Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Village Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Village Foundation's largest grantees?
The Village Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Theatre Arts for Kids ($6,530), Osmond FBLA ($1,500) and NHRI Leadership Mentoring ($1,430), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is The Village Foundation?
The Village Foundation reported $790K in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $437K.
What does The Village Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support the development of children and youth in Nebraska and western Iowa. Its activity scholarships may support programs in academics, fine arts, drama, music, and athletics or sports. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Village Foundation?
The foundation’s website invites young people seeking an activity scholarship to apply online or request a paper application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Village Foundation's EIN?
The Village Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-0493382. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 15, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2023
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Village Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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