FundersNebraska

Abel Foundation

Lincoln, NE · EIN 47-6041771. Reported 277 grants totalling $7,675,277 to 185 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$6,770median grant
$7,675,277granted, 2021-2024
185organizations funded
30%of grantees funded again the next year
$19.9Massets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Abel Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $6,770. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,000 and $25,000; the smallest was $50 and the largest $933,333. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
50 grants
$1,000 - $5,000
52 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
40 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
55 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
45 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
22 grants
$100,000 and Up
13 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Malone Community CenterLincoln, NE$1,316,000422024
University of Nebraska FoundationLincoln, NE$1,083,333312024
Lincoln Youth ComplexLincoln, NE$625,000222024
United Way of Lincoln and LancasterLincoln, NE$545,7741032024
Lincoln Community FoundationLincoln, NE$315,200942024
Southeast Community College EducatiLincoln, NE$270,000322024
Tabitha IncLincoln, NE$265,000212022
Nebraska Game and Parks FoundationLincoln, NE$151,000442024
United WayLincoln, NE$141,200112021
Lincoln Children's MuseumLincoln, NE$137,500442024
Capital Humane SocietyLincoln, NE$133,834442024
Kearney Family YMCA FoundationLincoln, NE$100,000222023
Museum of Nebraska ArtKearney, NE$100,000112023
Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityLincoln, NE$100,000112022
Rabble MillLincoln, NE$100,000332024
Kearney Area Community FoundationKearney, NE$85,000322024
Family Service LincolnLincoln, NE$83,333112024
First Plymouth ChurchLincoln, NE$70,250322024
First Plymouth Congregational ChurcLincoln, NE$70,100222023
National Audubon SocietyNew York, NY$66,666222024
Asian Community & Cultural CenterLincoln, NE$60,000322024
United Way of the Kearney Area IncKearney, NE$55,000332024
Arbor Day FoundationLincoln, NE$50,100112021
Cedars Home for Children FoundationLincoln, NE$50,100112023
Ashland Area FoundationAshland, NE$50,000222024
Cedars Youth ServicesLincoln, NE$50,000112024
Child Advocacy CenterLincoln, NE$50,000112021
Columbia UniversityNew York, NY$50,000222022
Fresh Start IncLincoln, NE$50,000222024
Lincolnlancaster County Child AdvoLincoln, NE$50,000212022
Mourning HopeLincoln, NE$50,000112021
Nebraska Game & Parks FoundationWaverly, NE$50,000112024
Nebraska Public Meda FoundationLincoln, NE$50,000112023
Spastic Paraplegia Foundation IncOfallon, MO$46,000112022
YMCA of LincolnLincoln, NE$43,333222023
Food Bank of LincolnLincoln, NE$40,000322024
Nebraska State Historical Society FLincoln, NE$34,203112022
Center for People in NeedLincoln, NE$34,000332024
Lincoln Community Foundation - LincLincoln, NE$33,333112024
YMCA of Lincoln NeLincoln, NE$33,333112024
Lincoln Bike KitchenLincoln, NE$33,000112024
Heartland Cancer FoundationLincoln, NE$27,700422024
Angels Among USOmaha, NE$25,000222024
Beatrice YMCABeatrice, NE$25,000112021
Boys & Girls Club of LincolnlancasLincoln, NE$25,000112022
Foundation for Lincoln Public SchooLincoln, NE$25,000112023
I've Got a NameLincoln, NE$25,000112024
Lincoln LiteracyLincoln, NE$25,000222024
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenNew York, NY$25,000112022
MilkworksLincoln, NE$25,000112024
Ne Chamber FoundationLincoln, NE$25,000112024
Trustee of Columbia UniversityNew York, NY$25,000112023
Trustees of Columbia UniversityNew York, NY$25,000112024
Clinic With a HeartLincoln, NE$20,000222024
Clyde Malone Community CenterLincoln, NE$20,000222023
Lincoln Community Foundation - LiveLincoln, NE$20,000112024
Nebraska Diaper BankOmaha, NE$20,000222024
Neighborworks LincolnLincoln, NE$20,000112023
Special Olympics Nebraska IncOmaha, NE$15,100332024
Camp Jefferson IncFairbury, NE$15,000112022
Fontbonne UniversitySt Louis, MO$15,000332024
Good Life Community DevelopmentLincoln, NE$15,000222024
LINKED2LITERACYLincoln, NE$15,000112024
Mourning Hope Grief CenterLincoln, NE$15,000112024
Tabitha Meals on WheelsLincoln, NE$15,000112021
Teammates Mentoring ProgramLincoln, NE$15,000222024
LighthouseLincoln, NE$14,000222024
Cornhusker Council - Boy ScoutsLincoln, NE$13,500222023
American Red CrossLincoln, NE$12,500222023
Community CropsLincoln, NE$11,000222022
Belmont Community CenterLincoln, NE$10,000112023
Community Action PartnershipLincoln, NE$10,000112023
Educare LincolnLincoln, NE$10,000112024
Howard County Medical FoundationSt Paul, NE$10,000112023
Indian Center IncLincoln, NE$10,000112024
Kearney Catholic High School FoundaKearney, NE$10,000112024
Leadership Lincoln IncLincoln, NE$10,000112023
Lincoln Community PlayhouseLincoln, NE$10,000112024
Lincoln Habitat for HumanityLincoln, NE$10,000112023
My BridgeLincoln, NE$10,000112021
Nebraska Vietnam Veterans MemorialOmaha, NE$10,000112022
Peru State College FoundationPeru, NE$10,000112023
Seal Family FoundationCarlsbad, CA$10,000222024
Secc FoundationLincoln, NE$10,000112021
The Bridge Behavioral HealthLincoln, NE$10,000112021
White Cane FoundationLincoln, NE$10,000112023
YWCA LincolnLincoln, NE$10,000112021
Lincoln Parks FoundationLincoln, NE$7,500222024
Red CrossLincoln, NE$7,500112021
Lincoln Children's ZooLincoln, NE$7,100412022
Matt Talbot KitchenLincoln, NE$7,000332024
Civil and Environmental EngineeringLincoln, NE$6,770112024
Odell Nebraska Public LibraryOdell, NE$6,500112022
Make-a-Wish Foundation of NebraskaOmaha, NE$6,360222023
Lincoln Arts CouncilLincoln, NE$6,000222023
TeammatesLincoln, NE$5,100112021
American Cancer SocietyLincoln, NE$5,000112021
Bravebe Child Advocacy CenterLincoln, NE$5,000112024
Bright LightsLincoln, NE$5,000112021
Cattlemen's Ball of Nebraska IncDavenport, NE$5,000112022
EducareLincoln, NE$5,000112021
Foster Care ClosetLincoln, NE$5,000112024
JR AchievementLincoln, NE$5,000112021
Lincoln International FcLincoln, NE$5,000112023
Lincoln Orchestra AssociationLincoln, NE$5,000112021
Lincoln Symphony OrchestraLincoln, NE$5,000112023
Lincoln's Symphony OrchestraLincoln, NE$5,000112024
Lux Center for the ArtsLincoln, NE$5,000112021
Nebraska Community FoundationLincoln, NE$5,000112023
Operation Safe Harbor UkraineLincoln, NE$5,000112022
The Builder FoundationOmaha, NE$5,000112023
Willard Community CenterLincoln, NE$5,000112023
Girl Scouts Spirit of NebraskaLincoln, NE$3,500112021
Nebraska 4-H FoundationLincoln, NE$3,200322024
St Matthews Episcopal ChurchLincoln, NE$3,100212022
Association of Fundraising ProfessiOmaha, NE$3,000112024
Weeping Water Volunteer Fire DepartWeeping Water, NE$2,900112022
Friendship HomeLincoln, NE$2,500112021
Good Neighbor Community CenterLincoln, NE$2,500112021
Make a Wish NebraskaLincoln, NE$2,500212024
Mayo ClinicRochester, MN$2,500112021
Mayo Foundation for Medical ResearcRochester, MN$2,500112023
Southern Youth SportsWymore, NE$2,500112021
Tilt-Up Concrete FoundationLincoln, NE$2,500112024
Fellowship of Christian AthletesLincoln, NE$2,000222023
Foundation for Lincoln Public SchlsLincoln, NE$1,500112021
Hall County Warriors MemorialSaint Libory, NE$1,500112024
St Monica'sLincoln, NE$1,500212024
Unl American Society of Civil EnginLincoln, NE$1,500112024
Npm Foundation for TelevisionLincoln, NE$1,200112021
St MonicasLincoln, NE$1,200112023
JdrfOmaha, NE$1,010112023
American Red Cross - Heartland ChapOmaha, NE$1,000112022
Ava's Army IncGretna, NE$1,000112024
Blair Fire and Rescue VolunteersBlair, NE$1,000112022
Center PointeLincoln, NE$1,000112021
Christian Record ServicesLincoln, NE$1,000112021
Hastings Community FoundationHastings, NE$1,000112023
Hope SpokeLincoln, NE$1,000112021
Humanities NebraskaLincoln, NE$1,000112021
Kearney Area Animal ShelterKearney, NE$1,000112022
Lauritzen GardensOmaha, NE$1,000112024
National Arbor Day FoundationLincoln, NE$1,000112022
Ne Council on Economic EducationLincoln, NE$1,000112021
Thunderbirds CharitiesPhoenix, AZ$1,000112024
Lincoln CyclonesLincoln, NE$988112024
St Mary's Catholic ChurchSutton, NE$850222024
Prairie Pines PartnersLincoln, NE$757112023
Seward County Chamber and DevelopmeSeward, NE$750112024
The Bryan FoundationLincoln, NE$600222024
Aidan's AnimalsLincoln, NE$500112024
Big Brothers Big Sisters LincolnLincoln, NE$500112023
Cass County Nebraska Economic DevelOmaha, NE$500112024
Chuck Switzer Cancer BenefitWeeping Water, NE$500112024
Horisun Hospice IncLincoln, NE$500112022
Maryanne Heiser Charitable FundLincoln, NE$500112023
National Living Donor Assistance CeArlington, VA$500112022
North American Martyrs Catholic ChuLincoln, NE$500112022
Salvation ArmyLincoln, NE$500112022
The Sowers Club of Lincoln IncLincoln, NE$500112022
Johnson County Central Public SchooTecumseh, NE$400112024
Bikers Against Child Abuse - Star CLincoln, NE$250112024
Waverly Fire & Rescue - Santa ExpreWaverly, NE$250112024
Nebraska Cultural EndowmentOmaha, NE$200112023
Scott J Memorial Fund for Als ReseaLavista, NE$200112024
Scotty J Fund Als SupportLavista, NE$200112023
University of Ne FoundationLincoln, NE$200112021
Alzheimer's AssociationLincoln, NE$100112021
Arizona Humane SocietyPhoenix, AZ$100112023
Beautiful Savior Lutheran ChurchLa Vista, NE$100112021
Boys & Girls Club of the MidlandsOmaha, NE$100112023
Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE$100112022
Faith Lutheran ChurchLincoln, NE$100112024
Hope Community ChurchLincoln, NE$100112024
Nebraska Association of the DeafOmaha, NE$100112022
Nebraska Deaf HeritageOmaha, NE$100112023
Omaha Botanical Center IncOmaha, NE$100112022
Omaha Zoo FoundationOmaha, NE$100112021
Optimist Club of Lincoln NebraskaLincoln, NE$100112022
Salem Lutheran ChurchStromsburg, NE$100112021
St Jude Children's Research HospitMemphis, TN$100112024
St Judes Childrens HospitalMemphis, TN$100112021
St Michael Catholic ChurchLincoln, NE$100112022
St Peter Catholic ChurchLincoln, NE$100112022
The Cat HouseLincoln, NE$100112022

45 of 185 (24%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 30%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 140 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Philanthropy & Grantmaking
23 grants
Human Services
16 grants
Arts & Culture
15 grants
Education
15 grants
Recreation & Sports
13 grants
Animal Welfare
11 grants
Environment
11 grants
Health Care
10 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202150$649,834$3,500
202267$1,373,710$5,000
202365$1,765,698$10,000
202495$3,886,035$10,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 96% of this one's giving went to organizations in Nebraska. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Nebraska
$7.4M
New York
$192K
Missouri
$61K
California
$10K
Minnesota
$5K
Arizona
$1K
Virginia
$500
Tennessee
$200

Find more foundations like Abel Foundation

We email you newly filed foundations whose giving matches your state and cause, as the IRS publishes them. Free.

No spam, unsubscribe in one click. We never sell or share your address.

Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

Lincoln Community Foundation Inc65 shared recipientsFidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund54 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc39 shared recipientsCooper Foundation31 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc30 shared recipientsUnited Way of Lincoln and Lancaster26 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $6,770. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Nebraska.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Abel Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: Po Box 80268, Lincoln, NE, 68501. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 47-6041771 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.