Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Required status

  • Tax-exempt status
  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Other requirements

  • A copy of the IRS exemption letter must accompany the Application for Grant form.
  • A list of the Board of Directors and/or officers needs to be included with the Application for Grant form.

Not eligible / not funded

  • Not eligible: Individuals
  • Not eligible: The Trust will not provide funds to lobby legislation or influence public elections.

Overview

The Thomas D. Buckley Trust Grant, established by Thomas D. Buckley, supports nonprofit organizations focusing on education, religion, and community programs primarily in the Western Panhandle of Nebraska and Northeast Colorado. Following Buckley's passing in 1979, the Trust was formed and has since provided grants to tax-exempt organizations that demonstrate sound financial management and adhere to eligibility requirements, with monthly reviews of grant requests.

Thomas Dennis Buckley was born in Missouri in December, 1897, to Dennis and Susan Buckley. His family, consisting of his Mom, Dad, Brothers Frank and John, Sister Elizabeth, and Tom moved to Lamar in 1906. Tom came to Chappell in 1917 with his brothers. They lived in a bunk house on wheels and hired out to break sod using a one-cylinder Rumley.
After serving one year in the military, he worked on the railroad for a few years before returning to Chappell. He started farming then until he died on June 12, 1979.
Upon his death, a Private Foundation was formed. The Trustees sold his land in 1980 at record-high prices and invested the proceeds from the sale, as well as the investments that Tom had at the time of his death.
Grants
The Thomas D. Buckley Trust is a Private Foundation that was created by the donor, Thomas D. Buckley.
The Trust supports tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations that deal with education, religion, or community-oriented programs. The Trust funds programs mainly in the Western Panhandle of Nebraska and in extreme Northeast Colorado.
The Trustees meet monthly to review all requests.

Eligibility

The Trust usually will only consider grants to nonprofit, tax-exempt organization within the geographic area stated above, except for rare exceptions.The tax-exempt organization must be a sound organization and show good financial management.A copy of the IRS exemption letter must accompany the Application for Grant form.A list of the Board of Directors and/or officers needs to be included with the Application for Grant form.

Ineligibility

The Trust will not award grants to individuals.The Trust will not provide funds to lobby legislation or influence public elections.

What Thomas D Buckley Trust actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2025

Grants in 2025
1
Total given
$563K
Median grant
$563K
  • By dollars: Nebraska 100%. Top recipient cities: Chappell, NE.

Example grants

  • See Exhibit E · Chappell, NE

    Charitable

    $563K

IRS Form 990-PF, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Nonprofits
  • Education
  • Religious
  • Community services
  • Foundation

Categories

Browse similar grants by category

Related Grants

Open grants from this funder and similar programs

Your AI grants department

Ready to apply for Thomas D. Buckley Trust Grant?

Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.

You found Thomas D. Buckley Trust Grant. Now let's win it.

Start writing