The Winnings Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Lincoln, NE EIN: 87-4692028

The Winnings Foundation is a private foundation, based in Lincoln, NE. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $120K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $125K. Net investment income was $139K.

The Winnings Foundation at a glance

In short: The Winnings Foundation gave $125K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$125,000
+25.0% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
8
+14.3% vs 2024
Average grant
$15,625
+9.4% vs 2024
Median grant
$15,000
Total assets
$120,131
+15.5% 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 Winnings Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 8 recipients in 2025

Calvary Lutheran: $20KCalvary Lutheran$20KPius X Foundation: $20KPius X Foundation$20KBravebe Child Advocacy Center: $15KBravebe Child Advocacy Center$15KFood Bank of Lincoln: $15KFood Bank of Lincoln$15KFriendship Home: $15KFriendship Home$15KMatt Talbot Food Kitchen: $15KMatt Talbot Food Kitchen$15KPeople's City Mission of Lincoln: $15KPeople's City Mission ofLincoln$15KLincoln Literacy: $10KLincoln Literacy$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was Calvary Lutheran ($20K). Together the top 8 received $125K.

Grant Size Distribution

20 grants across all recorded years

20<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 20 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.

States

Cities

Lincoln

How The Winnings Foundation gives

  • Giving grew 150% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 448% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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

$0$50K$100K$150K5 grants2022 0 grants2023 7 grants2024 8 grants2025

From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2022) to $125K (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $125K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Calvary Lutheran Lincoln, NETo Help Fund Their Charitable Work.$20,000
Pius X Foundation Lincoln, NETo Help Fund Their Charitable Work.$20,000
Bravebe Child Advocacy Center Lincoln, NETo Help Fund Their Charitable Work.$15,000
Food Bank of Lincoln Lincoln, NETo Help Fund Their Charitable Work.$15,000
Friendship Home Lincoln, NETo Help Fund Their Charitable Work.$15,000
Matt Talbot Food Kitchen Lincoln, NETo Help Fund Their Charitable Work.$15,000
People's City Mission of Lincoln Lincoln, NETo Help Fund Their Charitable Work.$15,000
Lincoln Literacy Lincoln, NETo Help Fund Their Charitable Work.$10,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Winnings Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$120,131$150,413$134,279$125,0008$125,000$138,827$27,922
2024$103,997$390,756$105,889$100,0007$100,000$89,319$19,492
2023$157,263$118,193$9,582———$34,114$1,716
2022$48,652$98,652$50,000$50,0005$50,000$94,848—

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Winnings Foundation reported a distributable amount of $28K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

The Winnings Foundation is led by David Gehle, President & Director on every filing since 2022; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • David Gehle

    President & Director

    On filings since 2022

    No compensation reported

  • James Hoppe

    Treasurer & Director

    On filings since 2022

    No compensation reported

  • Mary Hoppe

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    No compensation reported

  • Tricia Burt

    Secretary & Director

    On filings since 2022

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "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 Winnings Foundation

How much does The Winnings Foundation give each year?

The Winnings Foundation gave $125K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $100K across 7 grants.

What is The Winnings Foundation's typical grant size?

The Winnings Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $15,625, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does The Winnings Foundation give grants?

The Winnings Foundation 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 Lincoln, NE (8 grants).

Does The Winnings Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on The Winnings Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Help Fund Their Charitable Work." (8 grants).

Who are The Winnings Foundation's largest grantees?

The Winnings Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Calvary Lutheran ($20,000), Pius X Foundation ($20,000) and Bravebe Child Advocacy Center ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is The Winnings Foundation?

The Winnings Foundation reported $120K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $125K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $28K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is The Winnings Foundation's EIN?

The Winnings Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4692028. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Data update history

(5)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 16, 2024)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 24, 2024)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 6, 2026)
  5. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2025

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Winnings Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Nebraska

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc

Lincoln, NE

Lincoln Community Foundation funds nonprofit operations, programs, and capital projects in arts and culture, community improvement, education and youth, the environment and animals, and health and human services. Its 2024 grants had a median of $23,420, with awards ranging from $5,027 to $1,585,362; Open Door Grants serve organizations in or providing services in Lincoln/Lancaster County, Nebraska. It accepts Open Door Grant applications year-round and reviews them monthly.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$250.9M

Grants

379

Total Given

$21.9M

Abel Foundation

Lincoln, NE

The Abel Foundation supports nonprofit community projects, especially capital projects, arts and culture, conservation, education, and human services, with a strong focus on Nebraska communities where NEBCO and its affiliates operate. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $933,333, with a median of $10,000. It directs applicants to its website for application information; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$14.1M

Grants

92

Total Given

$4.1M

The Sunderland Foundation

Overland Park, KS

The Sunderland Foundation supports organizations serving Greater Kansas City, focusing on affordable housing, economic stability, health and behavioral health, youth development, and select legacy institutions. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,750 to $25 million, with a median of $375,000; it is invitation-only and is not currently accepting applications or proposals.

Assets

$927.0M

Grants

25

Total Given

$102.1M

James Stuart III Family Foundation

Lincoln, NE

The Lincoln, Nebraska-based foundation makes grants for charitable purposes, with 2025 giving ranging from $50 to $80,000 and a median grant of $3,000; most funding went to Nebraska organizations. It accepts applications at any time and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.

Assets

$5.6M

Grants

44

Total Given

$456K

Assurity Life Foundation

Lincoln, NE

Assets

$4.9M

Grants

60

Total Given

$488K

The Robert and Mary Ellen Stephens

Lincoln, NE

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$945K

Grants

15

Total Given

$46K

More similar funders

More Funders in Nebraska

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from The Winnings 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.

The Winnings Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?