Walter Scott Family Foundation
The Walter Scott Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. It supports organizations and institutions working to positively shape Nebraska’s future, with priorities in education, leadership and community life.
Walter Scott Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Walter Scott Family Foundation gave $46.3M across 78 grants in 2024 (avg $593K), mostly in Nebraska. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $46,261,034
- -68.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 78
- +34.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $593,090
- -76.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $2,834,283,174
- +79.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Walter Scott Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, and most grants are offered by invitation after discussion with Foundation staff. Its website also lists open opportunities, including the Omaha Award and Advancing Communities. Applicants invited to apply typically provide a mission statement, project description, need, goals and anticipated impact, alignment with Foundation priorities, partnerships, an IRS determination letter or qualifying government status, requested amount and share of project costs, project budget and timeline, funder list, organizational budget, recent audit, prior-year tax return, board list and other relevant documents. General restrictions include support for individuals, fundraising events, annual campaigns and endowments; government responsibilities; social or fraternal organizations; schools; churches or religious organizations, except faith-based social-service providers; athletic-team sponsorships; and organizations whose core mission is advocacy or lobbying.
- Review Cycle
- Omaha Award applications are accepted through August 1 each year. Advancing Communities applications may be submitted at any time.
- Deadline
- Omaha Award applications are accepted through August 1 each year.
- Contact
Mailing address: 10340 N 84Th Street, Omaha, NE 68122-2216
Phone: (402) 341-6000
Website: https://walterscottfamilyfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Walter Scott Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Brownell Talbot School ($9.0M). Together the top 10 received $32.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
221 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 70 grants of 221 (32%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation states that it has a strong geographic preference for organizations based in or benefiting Omaha and Nebraska. Its eligibility guidance says organizations must primarily serve the Omaha metropolitan area or Harrison, Mills and Pottawattamie counties in Iowa. In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to Nebraska recipients; 1% each went to recipients in Iowa and Hawaii, with less than 1% each in New York and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 78 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Walter Scott Family Foundation gives
- 31% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 161% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 40% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $17.7M (2021) to $145.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 78 grants totaling $46.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Brownell Talbot School Omaha, NE | Capital Campaign | $9,000,000 |
| Community Information Trust Omaha, NE | Capital Campaign | $5,000,000 |
| Hastings College Foundation Hastings, NE | Capital Campaign | $3,000,000 |
| Joslyn Art Museum Omaha, NE | Capital Campaign | $3,000,000 |
| Westside Community Schools Foundation Inc Omaha, NE | Capital Campaign | $2,510,000 |
| Omaha Zoo Foundation Omaha, NE | Capital Campaign | $2,500,000 |
| The Salvation Army Omaha, NE | Capital Campaign | $2,500,000 |
| Project Harmony Omaha, NE | Program Support | $2,000,000 |
| University of Nebraska Foundation Lincoln, NE | Next Generation, Program Support, and Scholarships | $1,726,000 |
| Children's Hospital & Medical Center Foundation Omaha, NE | Capital Campaign and Next Generation | $1,600,000 |
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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 | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,834,283,174 | $1,147,113,015 | $51,522,084 | $46,261,034 | 78 | $47,682,676 | $232,767,843 | $117,960,259 |
| 2023 | $1,579,144,889 | $762,474,726 | $157,014,200 | $145,640,942 | 58 | $148,872,829 | $28,949,204 | $84,294,593 |
| 2022 | $733,268,238 | $38,274,370 | $104,009,630 | $100,990,879 | 51 | $101,490,879 | $19,629,644 | $86,820,714 |
| 2021 | $799,003,498 | $221,751,303 | $19,299,280 | $17,691,293 | 15 | $17,941,293 | $17,617,937 | $67,082,545 |
| 2020 | $596,551,475 | $88,689,053 | $73,084,522 | $72,147,100 | 19 | — | $80,859,727 | $64,166,140 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Walter Scott Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $118.0M for 2024 — 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 describes its work as rooted in Walter Scott’s values and aimed at positively shaping Nebraska’s future. Its priorities are education, leadership and community. Its website describes support for scholarships and educational programs; leadership development, mentoring and nonprofit capacity; and community infrastructure, civic spaces, arts and cultural programs, the zoo, and access to quality healthcare.
Its 2024 grants included support for a range of organizations. For example, the Joslyn Art Museum says it brings people together to explore art across time and cultures; Project Harmony says it works to protect and support children and end child abuse and neglect; and the Omaha Zoo Foundation says it supports the mission, research and programs of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation made 78 grants totaling $46,261,034. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $9,000,000, with a median grant of $50,000. Recent grant totals were $145,640,942 across 58 grants in 2023 and $100,990,879 across 51 grants in 2022.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $9,000,000 to Brownell Talbot School for a capital campaign; $5,000,000 to Community Information Trust for a capital campaign; $3,000,000 each to Hastings College Foundation and Joslyn Art Museum for capital campaigns; and $2,510,000 to Westside Community Schools Foundation for a capital campaign. Other notable awards included $2,500,000 each to Omaha Zoo Foundation and The Salvation Army for capital campaigns, and $2,000,000 to Project Harmony for program support.
The Omaha Award supports eligible nonprofits providing basic-needs services in the Omaha metro area, with requests of up to $75,000 for general operating or program support. Past grantees may request an additional $50,000 for supplemental capital or capacity-building funds. Advancing Communities offers one-time capital support of up to $250,000 for eligible projects in Nebraska and southwest Iowa; applicants are expected to have secured at least 60% of project funding.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mogens Bay as chairman; Calvin Sisson as president and CEO; Rich Eakin as vice president; Christi Annin as CFO; and W. David Scott as treasurer. Trustees listed were Greg Abel, Mickey Anderson, Karen Dixon, Sandra Parker and Amy Scott.
Walter Scott Family Foundation is led by Calvin Sisson, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 3 of 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Calvin Sisson
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$33K (2022) → $28K (2024)
Mogens Bay
Chairman
Trustee → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Scott
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Abel
Trustee
Trustee → Chairman, 2022
Chairman → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Dixon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Parker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mickey Anderson
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tobin Schropp
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christi Annin
CFO
Director of Finance → CFO, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$10K (2022) → $10K (2024)
Rich Eakin
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$10K (2022) → $9K (2024)
W. David Scott
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Mike Faust (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Susan Morris (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Walter Scott Jr. (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $28K, to Calvin Sisson (President & CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Walter Scott Family Foundation
How much does Walter Scott Family Foundation give each year?
Walter Scott Family Foundation gave $46.3M across 78 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $145.6M across 58 grants.
What is Walter Scott Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Walter Scott Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $593,090, across 78 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Walter Scott Family Foundation give grants?
Walter Scott Family Foundation gives mostly in Nebraska: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Omaha, NE (25 grants), Lincoln, NE (4 grants), Southampton, NY (3 grants) and Hastings, NE (2 grants).
Does Walter Scott Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 18% of Walter Scott Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 78) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Next Generation" (25 grants), "Capital Campaign" (11 grants) and "Advancing Ne Communities" (11 grants).
Who are Walter Scott Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Walter Scott Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Brownell Talbot School ($9,000,000), Community Information Trust ($5,000,000) and Hastings College Foundation ($3,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Walter Scott Family Foundation?
Walter Scott Family Foundation reported $2.8B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $47.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $118.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Walter Scott Family Foundation fund?
The Foundation describes its work as rooted in Walter Scott’s values and aimed at positively shaping Nebraska’s future. Its priorities are education, leadership and community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Walter Scott Family Foundation?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, and most grants are offered by invitation after discussion with Foundation staff. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Walter Scott Family Foundation's EIN?
Walter Scott Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1116371. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Walter Scott Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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 2020 (received by the IRS November 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Walter Scott Family Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Walter Scott Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/walter-scott-family-foundation-morg_e2fd971628b14a88ba464502c5806191
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_471116371_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Walter Scott Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/walter-scott-family-foundation-morg_e2fd971628b14a88ba464502c5806191},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Walter Scott Family 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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