The John K & Lynne D Boyer Foundation concentrates its giving on cultural institutions in Omaha and Nebraska, with a particular emphasis on supporting art and history museums alongside higher-education and conservation causes. Grants are sizable and targeted, often directed to established regional organizations rather than many small nonprofits. The foundation appears to prioritize capital, program, or general support for major public institutions that serve the local community and region.
Concentrated, relatively few but large grants to established regional institutions; evidence of repeat funding (multiple grants to the same museum) rather than broad small-dollar distributions.
A $185,250 general-support grant to Joslyn Art Museum set the tone for John K & Lynne D Boyer Foundation’s recent giving: large, unrestricted checks to established Nebraska institutions. The foundation has also made repeated six-figure commitments to the University of Nebraska Foundation, The Durham Museum, and Project Harmony, showing a pattern of backing organizations that serve Omaha and the broader state. Its recent grants point to a portfolio built around cultural institutions, higher education, youth and family support, and conservation, rather than a broad mix of small awards. Several of the largest grants go to organizations with long public-facing roles in Nebraska, including art, history, and community-service institutions. The foundation’s support is often framed as general support, which suggests flexibility for recipients to use funds where they are most needed within ongoing operations or programs. In the recent record, it also extends beyond Omaha when the grantee aligns with the foundation’s regional interests, including institutions in Lincoln, Walthill, and Red Cloud. Overall, the giving pattern reflects a regional private foundation focused on sustaining anchor nonprofits with recurring, material support.
Arts and museums are a clear priority. John K & Lynne D Boyer Foundation gave $160,000 to Joslyn Art Museum in 2026 for general support, after earlier grants of $185,250 in 2023 and $102,500 in 2024. History and public heritage organizations also appear prominently: The Durham Museum received $136,300 in 2023, $59,650 in 2024, and $71,200 in 2025, all for general support. Higher education is another recurring theme, with $175,000 to University of Nebraska Foundation in 2026 and $128,500 in 2025, both for general support. The foundation also supported conservation through a $101,000 grant to The Nature Conservancy in 2024. Beyond those anchors, its recent record includes community and family-service funding such as Project Harmony, indicating attention to institutions serving local needs.
Typical awards are substantial: the grant-size distribution shows a p25 of $4,500, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $35,150. The recent record also includes multiple six-figure grants, indicating that the foundation uses both mid-sized and large awards. Recipients appear across multiple years, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts; several organizations recur in successive years. The foundation is structured as a private foundation and does not fund individuals. The pattern is dominated by general support, which is consistent with core or operating support rather than restricted project-only grants.
$1.2M
$20.9M
$857K
$1.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $35K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$35K
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Notable grantees: Joslyn Art Museum, The Durham Museum, University of Nebraska Foundation, The Nature Conservancy
Giving is concentrated in Nebraska, which accounts for 78% of grants, and the top state by grant count is NE. Omaha appears repeatedly among recipient cities, including Joslyn Art Museum, The Durham Museum, Project Harmony, Opas Foundation, Westside Foundation, Benson High School Foundation, and Gillwell Foundation. Lincoln is another regular destination through University of Nebraska Foundation. Outside Nebraska, recent grants reached Topeka, Kansas; Wickenburg, Arizona; and Arlington, Virginia, but the overall footprint remains regional and heavily centered on Nebraska institutions.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on cultural and educational institutions, especially art museums, history museums, and higher-education organizations. The foundation also supports conservation and community-serving nonprofits, with many awards described as general support.
The grant-size distribution shows a p25 of $4,500, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $35,150. Recent grants also include several six-figure awards, so the foundation works across a wide range of grant sizes.
Nebraska is the main geography for giving, with 78% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Omaha and Lincoln appear repeatedly in the recipient list, along with other Nebraska communities such as Walthill and Red Cloud.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Joslyn Art Museum, University of Nebraska Foundation, The Durham Museum, Project Harmony, Westside Foundation, and Susan La Flesche Picotte Mem Hospital. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships.
The recent grants are consistently labeled general support. That pattern appears across museums, universities, conservation groups, and community nonprofits, indicating flexible funding rather than tightly restricted project grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $175,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JOSLYN ART MUSEUM | OMAHA, NE | $160,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WASHBURN ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION | TOPEKA, KS | $150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OPAS FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROJECT HARMONY | OMAHA, NE | $90,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GILLWELL FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WESTSIDE FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $52,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE DURHAM MUSEUM | OMAHA, NE | $36,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $32,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY | OMAHA, NE | $30,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DESERT CABALLEROS WESTERN MUSEUM | WICKENBURG, AZ | $27,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FONTENELLE FOREST | BELLEVUE, NE | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JOSLYN CASTLE AND GARDEN | OMAHA, NE | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEBRASKA CURES | BOYS TOWN, NE | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SIMPLE FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WICKENBURG UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | WICKENBURG, AZ | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOODBANK FOR THE HEARTLAND | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DEL E WEBB CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | WICKENBURG, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KEEP OMAHA BEAUTIFUL | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LAURITZEN GARDENS | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OMAHA SYMPHONY | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA | LINCOLN, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BENSON HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOMEN'S FUND OF OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE HEARTLAND | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA | LINCOLN, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMPLETELY KIDS | OMAHA, NE | $8,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S NEBRASKA FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $6,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FLATWATER FREE PRESS | OMAHA, NE | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FILM STREAMS | OMAHA, NE | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEBRASKA EXAMINER | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIRLS INC OF OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | OMAHA, NE | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BARRY LOPEZ FOUNDATION FOR ART | SANTA FE, NM | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KU ENDOWMENT | LAWRENCE, KS | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LATINO CENTER OF THE MIDLANDS | OMAHA, NE | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATIONS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STRATFORD HALL | STRATFORD, VA | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUMANITIES NEBRASKA | LINCOLN, NE | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CASTING FOR RECOVERY | BOZEMAN, MT | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLUEBARN THEATRE | OMAHA, NE | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE FIRST COVENANT CHURCH | OMAHA, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WICKENBURG HUMANE SOCIETY | WICKENBURG, AZ | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CARMELITE NUNS OF SIOUX CITY IOWA | SIOUX CITY, IA | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCOUTING AMERICA | IRVING, TX | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE WILLA CATHER FOUNDATION | RED CLOUD, NE | $250 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAGDALENE OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $200 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $128,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
JOSLYN ART MUSEUM
$160,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WASHBURN ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PROJECT HARMONY
$90,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GILLWELL FOUNDATION
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF OMAHA
$32,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY
$30,500GENERAL SUPPORT
JOSLYN CASTLE AND GARDEN
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEBRASKA CURES
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WICKENBURG UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KEEP OMAHA BEAUTIFUL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LAURITZEN GARDENS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OMAHA SYMPHONY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BENSON HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WOMEN'S FUND OF OMAHA
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE HEARTLAND
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEBRASKA EXAMINER
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GIRLS INC OF OMAHA
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BARRY LOPEZ FOUNDATION FOR ART
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KU ENDOWMENT
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATIONS
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
HUMANITIES NEBRASKA
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CASTING FOR RECOVERY
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
BLUEBARN THEATRE
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
THE FIRST COVENANT CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WICKENBURG HUMANE SOCIETY
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CARMELITE NUNS OF SIOUX CITY IOWA
$500GENERAL SUPPORT
MAGDALENE OMAHA
$200GENERAL SUPPORT