The Rebecca Susan Buffett Foundation concentrates on strengthening services for children and vulnerable populations, with particular emphasis on early childhood systems and community-based behavioral health. It funds a mix of direct-service nonprofits and university-affiliated programs, typically via large general operating grants that support organizational capacity rather than narrowly restricted projects. The foundation repeatedly supports a small set of core partners, suggesting long-term relationships and trust-based funding.
Highly concentrated giving: relatively few, large general‑operating grants with repeat funding to core grantees. Emphasis on sustained organizational support over many small or one-off gifts.
A defining feature of the Rebecca Susan Buffett Foundation is its repeated, large general operating support for a small set of core partners. Thresholds in Chicago received multiple seven-figure awards across 2023 and 2024, while the Buffett Early Childhood Fund in Omaha also drew major support. That pattern points to a funder that backs organizational strength over narrowly restricted projects. The foundation’s recent grantmaking is centered on services for children and vulnerable populations, especially early childhood systems, community-based behavioral health, and youth development. It also supports higher education institutions and affiliated foundations, including the University of Nebraska Foundation and UCLA Foundation. Many of the awards in the recent grants list are designated general operating grants, which suggests emphasis on flexible support for ongoing programs and administration. Its portfolio includes direct-service nonprofits such as Girls Inc., Boys & Girls Club, Kids Can, Completely Kids, Latino Center of the Midlands, and One World, alongside university and foundation partners. The presence of recurring grants to the same organizations across more than one year indicates continuing relationships rather than one-time project funding. The foundation’s giving is national in scope, with recipients in multiple states and one grant listed outside the United States.
In early childhood education and systems, the foundation gave $3,022,859 to Buffett Early Childhood Fund in 2024 and $1,000,000 to Educare in 2023, both as general operating support. Those grants align with its emphasis on early childhood systems rather than isolated projects. For community-based behavioral health and disability-related services, Thresholds in Chicago received $2,500,500 in 2024, $2,450,000 in 2023, and $1,462,200 in 2024. The repeated awards show a durable relationship with a Chicago-based provider serving vulnerable populations. Youth development is another clear line of support. Girls Inc. received $1,042,700 in 2024, while Boys & Girls Club in Omaha received multiple general operating grants, including $140,255 in 2023 and two $140,000 awards in 2024. The foundation also funded Kids Can and Completely Kids, both in Omaha, through operating support.
$11.6M
$8.6M
$8.3M
$11.6M
Most grants fall between $1K and $57K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$57K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Rebecca Susan Buffett Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 171 | $49.1M | 98.8% |
| 2 | Italy |
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Notable grantees: Thresholds, Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Educare, Girls Inc., University of Nebraska Foundation
Typical grant sizes cluster from small to very large: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $57,132. That spread matches a portfolio with many modest awards alongside a smaller number of major operating grants. The recent grants list also shows repeat support across years for several recipients, including Thresholds, Educare, UCLA Foundation, University of Southern California, University of Chicago, Northstar Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, and Kids Can. The foundation is structured as a private foundation; it does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. No application process is described in the data.
The foundation gives nationally, with 99.0% of grants in the United States and 1 grant in Italy. By recipient location, Illinois is the top state by grant count, and Chicago appears frequently through Thresholds, Educare, and the University of Chicago. Omaha is another major hub, with Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Northstar Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, Kids Can, Completely Kids, and others. California recipients include UCLA Foundation and University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
It funds organizations serving children and vulnerable populations, with a clear emphasis on early childhood systems, community-based behavioral health, and youth development. The recent grants list also includes higher education partners and community-based nonprofits, often through general operating support.
The recent grants list is dominated by general operating support. Large awards such as those to Thresholds, Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Educare, and UCLA Foundation are all labeled general operating, indicating a strong preference for flexible support.
Its giving is national, but Illinois is the top state by grant count. Chicago appears repeatedly in the grants list, while Omaha is another major location for recipients. California recipients also receive meaningful support, including organizations in Los Angeles.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Thresholds, Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Educare, UCLA Foundation, University of Southern California, University of Chicago, Northstar Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, and Kids Can. That pattern points to ongoing relationships.
The grant-size distribution is wide. The 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $57,132, showing that the foundation makes many smaller grants alongside a smaller number of much larger operating awards.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 2 |
| $8K |
1.2% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THRESHOLDS | CHICAGO, IL | $4,200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BUFFETT EARLY CHILDHOOD FUND | OMAHA, NE | $3,000,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $1,002,528 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CORNELL COLLEGE | MOUNT VERNON, IA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LATINO CENTER OF THE MIDLANDS | OMAHA, NE | $500,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GIRLS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $334,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NORTHSTAR FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $265,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | OMAHA, NE | $215,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $145,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AVENUE SCHOLARS | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ONE WORLD | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RADIUS | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMPLETELY KIDS | OMAHA, NE | $80,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PUBLIC COUNSEL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $75,105 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| IMMIGRANT LEGAL CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RISE ACADEMY | OMAHA, NE | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE | OMAHA, NE | $45,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GRIEF'S JOURNEY | OMAHA, NE | $20,600 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TRINITY EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL | OMAHA, NE | $12,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE HOUSE INSTITUTE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FULFILLMENT FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NAVY LEAGUE OF THE US - MN COUNCIL | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ROTARY CLUB OF PLYMOUTH FOUNDATION | PLYMOUTH, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EVERY CHILD FOUNDATION | PACIFIC PALISADES, CA | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $3,200 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BEVERLY HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $1,970 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | CULVER CITY, CA | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FREEDOM WRITERS FOUNDATION | LONG BEACH, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GO FUND ME | SAN DIEGO, CA | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GIVING A SMILE FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $400 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATNG |
| GREATER LANSING FOOD BANK | BATH, MI | $250 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOAG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | NEWPORT BEACH, CA | $200 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $11,624,238 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THRESHOLDS | CHICAGO, IL | $3,300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BUFFETT EARLY CHILDHOOD FUND | OMAHA, NE | $3,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NORTHSTAR FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $216,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | OMAHA, NE | $215,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS | OMAHA, NE | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FULFILLMENT FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $105,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RADIUS | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AVENUE SCHOLARS | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE | OMAHA, NE | $95,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMPLETELY KIDS | OMAHA, NE | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LATINO CENTER OF THE MIDLANDS | OMAHA, NE | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ONE WORLD | OMAHA, NE | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
BUFFETT EARLY CHILDHOOD FUND
$3,000,000GENERAL OPERATING
CORNELL COLLEGE
$1,000,000GENERAL OPERATING
LATINO CENTER OF THE MIDLANDS
$500,000GENERAL OPERATING
GIRLS INC
$334,000GENERAL OPERATING
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$215,000GENERAL OPERATING
ONE WORLD
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
RADIUS
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
RISE ACADEMY
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL
$12,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE HOUSE INSTITUTE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
NAVY LEAGUE OF THE US - MN COUNCIL
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
ROTARY CLUB OF PLYMOUTH FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OMAHA
$2,500GENERAL OPERATING
BEVERLY HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$1,970GENERAL OPERATING
FREEDOM WRITERS FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING
GO FUND ME
$500GENERAL OPERATING
GIVING A SMILE FOUNDATION
$400GENERAL OPERATNG
BUFFETT EARLY CHILDHOOD FUND
$3,000,000GENERAL OPERATING
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$215,000GENERAL OPERATING
RADIUS
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
ONE WORLD
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING