Walter Scott Family Foundation
The Walter Scott Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. Established in 2014, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status. The foundation is rooted in the legacy of Walter Scott, Jr., a civil engineer and business leader who formalized his commitment to philanthropy by creating the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation in 1990, which evolved into the present-day Walter Scott Family Foundation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$46.3M
-68.2% YoY
Grant Count
78
+34.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$593K
-76.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is rooted in Walter Scott's enduring values, partnering with organizations and individuals working to positively shape Nebraska's future. The foundation operates under the principle: "Be a giver, not a taker."
The foundation focuses on three primary charitable priorities:
Education — Supporting scholarships, innovative programs, and partnerships with organizations that help Nebraska's best and brightest pursue meaningful careers close to home.
Leadership — Cultivating leaders through programs that build confidence, strengthen character, increase effectiveness, and encourage innovation.
Community — Advancing infrastructure, systems, and services that improve quality of life for individuals across Nebraska.
Grantmaking
The Walter Scott Family Foundation gives with purpose, focusing on long-term impact and alignment with core priorities. Most grants are awarded through ongoing partnerships or by invitation only.
Grant Range
$2,500 to $51.6 million
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds in Nebraska, with particular emphasis on Omaha and Southwest Iowa. Grant-making also extends to New York and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $2.83 billion
- Total Revenue: $1.15 billion
- Total Expenses: $51.5 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $46.3 million
The foundation maintains substantial financial resources with no outstanding liabilities.
| 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
184 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Staff:
- Mogens Bay — Chairman
- Greg Abel — Trustee
- Mickey Anderson — Trustee
- Calvin Sisson — President & Chief Executive Officer
- Rich Eakin — Vice President
- Christi Annin — Chief Financial Officer
- Karen Dixon — Trustee
- Sandra Parker — Trustee
- Amy Scott — Trustee
- W David Scott — Treasurer
- Tobin Schropp — Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOGENS BAY | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| GREG ABEL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICKEY ANDERSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CALVIN SISSON | PRESIDENT & CEO | 1 | $28,498 |
| RICH EAKIN | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | $9,061 |
| CHRISTI ANNIN | CFO | 1 | $9,551 |
| KAREN DIXON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SANDRA PARKER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| AMY SCOTT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| W DAVID SCOTT | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| TOBIN SCHROPP | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In March 2024, the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation announced a $23 million investment in the Scott Scholars program at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). This significant commitment supports scholarship programs designed to help Nebraska's best and brightest pursue meaningful careers in the state.
Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation Makes $23 Million Investment in UNO, UNMCSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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