The Lester A Walker Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on strengthening local community philanthropy in Fremont, Nebraska, providing unrestricted operating support to the Fremont Area Community Foundation. All documented giving is allocated to a single local community foundation, indicating a focus on sustaining civic infrastructure and grantmaking capacity in their home community.
Highly concentrated and local: two grants totaling the foundation's recorded giving were made to a single repeat grantee (the local community foundation), with funding designated for current operations (unrestricted/core support).
Lester a Walker Foundation’s giving is tightly organized around a small set of community institutions, led by repeated operating support for the Fremont Area Community Foundation in Fremont, Nebraska. That relationship appears at the center of the foundation’s recent activity and shows a pattern of sustaining local philanthropic infrastructure rather than dispersing gifts across many unrelated causes. Alongside that anchor, the foundation has also supported a mix of civic, educational, and social-service recipients in Nebraska and Arizona. Recent grants show a consistent preference for current operations support and scholarship funding. Midland University received scholarship support in both 2023 and 2024, while other grants have gone to organizations working in housing, health, youth services, and community enrichment. The grant list includes Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of the Valley, Aid to Adoption of Special Kids, Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding, and the United Negro College Fund. The pattern suggests a foundation that uses modest-to-mid-sized grants to reinforce ongoing work already underway. Rather than funding one-off projects, Lester a Walker Foundation appears to favor recurring operating and scholarship commitments, especially for organizations connected to Fremont and a smaller set of regional partners.
A major theme in the foundation’s giving is institutional support. In 2024, it gave $97,772 to Fremont Area Community Foundation for current operations, continuing a relationship that also included a $107,609 grant in 2023. That kind of support points to a focus on sustaining local grantmaking capacity. Education is another visible area. Midland University received $6,726 in 2023 and $6,112 in 2024 for its scholarship fund, while the United Negro College Fund received $2,690 in 2023 and $2,445 in 2024 for scholarship support. The Nebraska Independent College Fund also received scholarship funding in both years. The foundation also backs community-serving nonprofits. Grants went to Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity for current operations, and to Rebuilding Together Greater Fremont for current operations in both 2023 and 2024. Health and family services appear as well through current-operations support to Hospice of the Valley and Aid to Adoption of Special Kids.
$157K
$2.7M
$290K
$180K
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Notable grantees: Fremont Area Community Foundation
The grant size profile is modest and fairly tight: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $3,333, and the 75th percentile is $4,742. That fits a pattern of recurring, operationally oriented grants rather than large, occasional awards. The recent list also shows repeat support to the same recipients across 2023 and 2024, including Fremont Area Community Foundation, Midland University, Hospice of the Valley, and Rebuilding Together Greater Fremont. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations, and its documented grants are all in the United States. The latest 990 on file is 2024.
Grantmaking is concentrated in Nebraska, with 72% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Fremont appears repeatedly in the recent grants list, along with McCook, Gretna, Arlington, and Omaha. Arizona is the top state by grant count after Nebraska, with Phoenix recipients appearing in the record. All documented grants in the recent list go to U.S. recipients.
The recent grants list shows support for community foundations, scholarship funds, churches, health and family-service organizations, housing nonprofits, and local civic groups. Recipients include Fremont Area Community Foundation, Midland University, Hospice of the Valley, Aid to Adoption of Special Kids, and Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity.
The record shows recurring support. Fremont Area Community Foundation received grants in both 2023 and 2024, and the same two-year pattern appears for Midland University, Hospice of the Valley, and Rebuilding Together Greater Fremont. That suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts.
Typical grants are small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $3,333, and the 75th percentile is $4,742. Several recent awards cluster in that range, especially operating and scholarship grants.
Current operations support and scholarship funding stand out most clearly. The foundation repeatedly funded current operations for local nonprofits and community institutions, and it made scholarship grants to Midland University, the United Negro College Fund, and the Nebraska Independent College Fund.
Nebraska receives the majority of grants, with 72% of grants going to recipients in the headquarters state. The recent recipient list also includes Arizona, especially Phoenix, but Nebraska remains the clear center of activity.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FREMONT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDAT | FREMONT, NE | $101,190 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| ST JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH | FREMONT, NE | $9,832 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| MIDLAND UNIVERSITY | FREMONT, NE | $6,324 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| HEARTLAND EQUINE THERAPEUTIC RIDING | GRETNA, NE | $5,000 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| AID TO ADOPTION OF SPECIAL KIDS | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,497 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,497 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| ARIZONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,497 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| MCCOOK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO | MCCOOK, NE | $3,795 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| REBUILDING TOGETHER | FREMONT, NE | $3,000 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY | LINCOLN, NE | $3,000 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND | FAIRFAX, VA | $2,530 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| NEBR INDEP COLLEGE FUND | OMAHA, NE | $2,530 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| BISHOP NEUMAN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | WAHOO, NE | $2,000 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| DODGE CO 4-H FOUNDATION | FREMONT, NE | $1,265 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | DES MOINES, IA | $1,265 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| CATZ ANGELS CARE LLC | FREMONT, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| FREMONT AREA VETERANS COALITION | FREMONT, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| FREMONT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDAT | FREMONT, NE | $94,856 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| ST JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH | FREMONT, NE | $10,783 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| MIDLAND UNIVERSITY | FREMONT, NE | $5,928 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| HEARTLAND EQUINE THERAPEUTIC RIDING | GRETNA, NE | $5,000 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| AID TO ADOPTION OF SPECIAL KIDS | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,216 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| ARIZONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,216 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,216 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| MCCOOK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO | MCCOOK, NE | $3,557 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| FREMONT AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | FREMONT, NE | $3,000 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND | FAIRFAX, VA | $2,371 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| NEBR INDEP COLLEGE FUND | OMAHA, NE | $2,371 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| ROOTS TO WINGS | ARLINGTON, NE | $1,500 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| DODGE CO 4-H FOUNDATION | FREMONT, NE | $1,186 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | DES MOINES, IA | $1,186 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| FREMONT AREA VETERANS COALITION | FREMONT, NE | $1,000 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| DODGE CO 4-H COUNCIL | FREMONT, NE | $1,000 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| CATZ ANGELS CARE LLC | FREMONT, NE | $1,000 | 2025 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| FREMONT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDAT | FREMONT, NE | $97,772 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| ST JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH | FREMONT, NE | $7,444 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| MIDLAND UNIVERSITY | FREMONT, NE | $6,112 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| REBUILDING TOGETHER GREATER FREMONT | FREMONT, NE | $4,728 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,345 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| AID TO ADOPTION OF SPECIAL KIDS | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,345 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| ARIZONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,345 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| HEARTLAND EQUINE THERAPEUTIC RIDING | GRETNA, NE | $4,000 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| MCCOOK LESTER WALKER FNDT | MCCOOK, NE | $3,666 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| FREMONT AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | FREMONT, NE | $3,000 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND | FAIRFAX, VA | $2,445 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| NEBR INDEP COLLEGE FUND | OMAHA, NE | $2,445 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| ROOTS TO WINGS | ARLINGTON, NE | $2,000 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| FREMONT AREA ART ASSOCIATION | FREMONT, NE | $2,000 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | DES MOINES, IA | $1,222 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
| DODGE CO 4-H FOUNDATION | FREMONT, NE | $1,222 | 2024 | CURRENT OPERATIONS |
FREMONT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDAT
$101,190CURRENT OPERATIONS
ST JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$9,832CURRENT OPERATIONS
HEARTLAND EQUINE THERAPEUTIC RIDING
$5,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
CURRENT OPERATIONS
MCCOOK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO
$3,795CURRENT OPERATIONS
REBUILDING TOGETHER
$3,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$3,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
NEBR INDEP COLLEGE FUND
$2,530SCHOLARSHIP FUND
BISHOP NEUMAN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
$2,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
DODGE CO 4-H FOUNDATION
$1,265CURRENT OPERATIONS
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$1,265CURRENT OPERATIONS
CATZ ANGELS CARE LLC
$1,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
FREMONT AREA VETERANS COALITION
$1,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
FREMONT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDAT
$94,856CURRENT OPERATIONS
ST JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$10,783CURRENT OPERATIONS
MCCOOK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATIO
$3,557CURRENT OPERATIONS
FREMONT AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$3,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
NEBR INDEP COLLEGE FUND
$2,371SCHOLARSHIP FUND
ROOTS TO WINGS
$1,500CURRENT OPERATIONS
DODGE CO 4-H FOUNDATION
$1,186CURRENT OPERATIONS
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$1,186CURRENT OPERATIONS
FREMONT AREA VETERANS COALITION
$1,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
DODGE CO 4-H COUNCIL
$1,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
CATZ ANGELS CARE LLC
$1,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
FREMONT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDAT
$97,772CURRENT OPERATIONS
ST JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$7,444CURRENT OPERATIONS
REBUILDING TOGETHER GREATER FREMONT
$4,728CURRENT OPERATIONS
MCCOOK LESTER WALKER FNDT
$3,666CURRENT OPERATIONS
FREMONT AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$3,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
NEBR INDEP COLLEGE FUND
$2,445SCHOLARSHIP FUND
ROOTS TO WINGS
$2,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
FREMONT AREA ART ASSOCIATION
$2,000CURRENT OPERATIONS
DODGE CO 4-H FOUNDATION
$1,222CURRENT OPERATIONS