The Lauritzen Foundation concentrates sizeable gifts on regional cultural institutions and land/bird conservation, with a clear emphasis on Omaha-area public amenities (botanical garden, performing arts, regional museum) while also supporting national conservation organizations and occasional higher-education endowments. Grants are large and targeted, often made repeatedly to the same beneficiary organizations, suggesting long-term partnerships rather than one-off small grants.
Lauritzen Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by multi-year support for Lauritzen Gardens, which received $2,055,000 in 2024, $1,600,000 in 2025, and $1,300,000 in 2023. That pattern shows a funder making sustained, large-scale commitments rather than isolated awards. The foundation also backs Omaha’s civic and cultural infrastructure through recurring grants to Omaha Performing Arts, including $1,200,000 in 2024, $1,200,000 in 2025, and $600,000 in 2023. Together with grants to the Museum of Nebraska Art and Joslyn Art Museum, the portfolio points to support for public-facing institutions that shape the region’s arts, learning, and community life. Beyond culture, the foundation funds conservation and habitat work through organizations such as National Audubon Society and Ducks Unlimited, while also making occasional university gifts, including Princeton University and its Brl Professorship Fund. The overall pattern is one of large, designated grants to a small set of institutions, with repeated funding across multiple years.
A major theme in Lauritzen Foundation’s grantmaking is public horticulture and botanical development in Omaha. Lauritzen Gardens received repeated general-purpose support across 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating an ongoing institutional relationship. The foundation also supports regional performing arts infrastructure: Omaha Performing Arts received grants in three consecutive years, including $600,000 in 2023 and $1,200,000 in both 2024 and 2025. In museum and visual-arts work, the Museum of Nebraska Art received $1,000,000 in 2023, while Joslyn Art Museum - Evolve Project received $300,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Conservation is another clear area, with National Audubon Society receiving annual gifts in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Lauritzen Foundation’s typical grant size is substantial: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $25,000, and the 75th percentile is $183,334. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same organizations over multiple years, especially for large institutions in Omaha and for a few national partners. Grants are described as general exempt purpose, and the foundation is not a funder of individuals. It also does not make program-related investments. The pattern is best read as discretionary institutional support rather than open application-based grantmaking.
$7.7M
$85.3M
$6.4M
$8.3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $183K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$183K
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Concentrated, high-value giving to a small set of repeat grantees — multiple multi-million dollar grants to local cultural institutions and selective national conservation groups, indicating long-term, relationship-focused support rather than broad, small-dollar distribution.
Notable grantees: Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha Performing Arts, National Audubon Society, Museum of Nebraska Art, Ducks Unlimited
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Nebraska, with 69% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and most activity in Omaha. Omaha recipients include Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha Performing Arts, National Audubon Society, Westside Community Schools Impacting Excellence, and Trinity Cathedral. Other Nebraska locations in the recent list include Kearney, Bellevue, and Grand Island. Outside the state, the foundation gave to Princeton, New Jersey, and Monterey, California, but the overall footprint remains regional and Nebraska-centered.
Its recent grants center on botanical and public horticulture, performing arts, museums, conservation, and selected higher-education support. Examples include Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha Performing Arts, Museum of Nebraska Art, National Audubon Society, Ducks Unlimited - Conservation for a Continent, and Princeton University.
Yes. 69% of its grants go to recipients in Nebraska, and Nebraska is also the top state by grant count. The recent list includes Omaha, Kearney, Bellevue, and Grand Island recipients, showing a strong in-state concentration.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is relatively large: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $25,000, and the 75th percentile is $183,334. Recent awards also include seven-figure gifts to major institutions, which indicates a wide spread within an overall sizeable portfolio.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Lauritzen Gardens in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Omaha Performing Arts in 2023, 2024, and 2025; National Audubon Society in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Joslyn Art Museum - Evolve Project in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The grants in the recent record are listed as general exempt purpose, and the foundation’s philosophy tags include unrestricted support, general operating support, and broad discretionary funding. It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAURITZEN GARDENS | OMAHA, NE | $1,600,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS | OMAHA, NE | $1,200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PRINCETON UNIVERSITY - BRL PROFESSORSHIP FUND | PRINCETON, NJ | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED - CONSERVATION FOR A CONTINENT | GRAND ISLAND, NE | $800,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY | OMAHA, NE | $625,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WESTSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IMPACTING EXCELLENCE | Omaha, NE | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CEMTER | Omaha, NE | $360,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OMAHA CENTRAL LIBRARY | Omaha, NE | $333,333 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JOSLYN ART MUSEUM - EVOLVE PROJECT | OMAHA, NE | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BROWNELL TALBOT SCHOOL | OMAHA, NE | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| KIEWIT DISCOVERY CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| Trinity Cathedral | Omaha, NE | $191,667 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ALEXANDRIA JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION | ALEXANDRIA, MN | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WESTSIDE FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GALLERY 1516 | Omaha, NE | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UNITED WAY OF THE MIDLANDS | OMAHA, NE | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| Aksarben Foundation | OMAHA, NE | $33,250 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| KANSAS SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL BALLET | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NELSON ATKINS MUSEUM | KANSAS CITY, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ST ANDREWS EPISCOPAL CHURCH - KANSAS CITY | Kansas City, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OPERA OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| LEGACY OF THE LAKES MUSEUM | ALEXANDRIA, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL | OMAHA, NE | $14,748 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE MIDLANDS | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MORNING STAR LUTHERAN CHURCH | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| Boy Scouts - Mid America Council | Omaha, NE | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SEAL Family Foundaton | Carlsbad, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| PARTNERS FOR LIVABLE OMAHA | Omaha, NE | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| SEMESTER AT SEA | FORT COLLINS, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| LAURITZEN GARDENS | OMAHA, NE | $2,055,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS | OMAHA, NE | $1,200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY | OMAHA, NE | $625,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WESTSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IMPACTING EXCELLENCE | Omaha, NE | $400,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CEMTER | Omaha, NE | $360,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OMAHA CENTRAL LIBRARY | Omaha, NE | $333,333 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FONTENELLE FOREST | BELLEVUE, NE | $300,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JOSLYN ART MUSEUM - EVOLVE PROJECT | OMAHA, NE | $300,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| KIEWIT DISCOVERY CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| Trinity Cathedral | Omaha, NE | $166,667 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska | OMAHA, NE | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| OMAHA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | OMAHA, NE | $70,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TYLER'S HOUSE KC | Mission, KS | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GALLERY 1516 | Omaha, NE | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| LEARNING FOR ALL | Omaha, NE | $32,250 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| WESTSIDE FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| Aksarben Foundation | OMAHA, NE | $28,250 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| KANSAS SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL BALLET | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE |
LAURITZEN GARDENS
$1,600,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS
$1,200,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY - BRL PROFESSORSHIP FUND
$1,000,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
DUCKS UNLIMITED - CONSERVATION FOR A CONTINENT
$800,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
$625,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
WESTSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IMPACTING EXCELLENCE
$400,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CEMTER
$360,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
OMAHA CENTRAL LIBRARY
$333,333GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
JOSLYN ART MUSEUM - EVOLVE PROJECT
$300,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
KIEWIT DISCOVERY CENTER
$200,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
Trinity Cathedral
$191,667GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
ALEXANDRIA JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION
$75,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
WESTSIDE FOUNDATION
$55,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
GALLERY 1516
$50,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
Aksarben Foundation
$33,250GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
KANSAS SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL BALLET
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NELSON ATKINS MUSEUM
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
ST ANDREWS EPISCOPAL CHURCH - KANSAS CITY
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
LEGACY OF THE LAKES MUSEUM
$15,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL
$14,748GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE MIDLANDS
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
MORNING STAR LUTHERAN CHURCH
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
Boy Scouts - Mid America Council
$10,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
SEAL Family Foundaton
$5,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
PARTNERS FOR LIVABLE OMAHA
$5,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
LAURITZEN GARDENS
$2,055,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS
$1,200,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
$625,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
WESTSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IMPACTING EXCELLENCE
$400,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CEMTER
$360,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
OMAHA CENTRAL LIBRARY
$333,333GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
JOSLYN ART MUSEUM - EVOLVE PROJECT
$300,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
KIEWIT DISCOVERY CENTER
$200,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
Trinity Cathedral
$166,667GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska
$75,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
OMAHA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
$70,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
TYLER'S HOUSE KC
$50,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
GALLERY 1516
$50,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
LEARNING FOR ALL
$32,250GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
Aksarben Foundation
$28,250GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE
KANSAS SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL BALLET
$25,000GENERAL EXEMPT PURPOSE