The Debby Durham Family Foundation appears to make targeted, locally focused gifts that fund visible community placemaking projects. Its sole reported grant funded seasonal streetscape beautification in Fremont—suggesting a preference for tangible civic improvements that enhance downtown appearance and community pride. The foundation looks oriented toward one-off, project-specific support rather than broad institutional operating grants.
A $329,000 grant to Mainstreet of Fremont for holiday decorations, summer flower pots, and bumpouts shows the Debby Durham Family Foundation C/o Hancock & Dana Pc favoring visible, project-based improvements to downtown places. That pattern appears repeatedly in its recent grants, where civic beautification sits alongside education, faith, health, and community support. The foundation also made a $122,500 grant to the City of Fremont for downtown entry archways, reinforcing an emphasis on public-facing projects that change how a town center looks and functions. Beyond placemaking, the foundation funds institutions and service organizations with substantial general operating support. It gave $100,000 to First Presbyterian Church of Fremont for general operating funds, $100,000 to Food Bank of the Heartland for general operating funds, and $90,000 to Friends of Keene Memorial Library for general operating funds. Education and children’s programming also appear in its grant list, including support for the Durham Museum’s children’s programs and the University of Nebraska Foundation’s Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction. The mix suggests a funder that combines local downtown investment with broad community-serving grants.
Downtown placemaking is the clearest thread in the foundation’s grant list. It awarded $109,500 to Mainstreet of Fremont for flowerpots and bumpouts, and $50,000 to Friends of Keene Memorial Library for maintenance and holiday decorations. The City of Fremont also received $122,500 for downtown entry archways, showing support for built features that shape a town center’s appearance. Education is another recurring area. The University of Nebraska Foundation received $150,000 for the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, and a separate $50,000 grant supported the UNO dyslexia certificate support fund. In children’s programming, the Durham Museum received $70,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025. The foundation also funds community services through general operating support, including Food Bank of the Heartland, Open Door Mission, and Nebraska Humane Society. Those gifts point to a grantmaker that uses both project-specific and unrestricted support.
$2M
$27.6M
$5.1M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $33K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$33K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeRegístrate gratis para ver qué tan bien se adapta tu organización sin fines de lucro a este financiador, obtener un pitch generado por IA y descubrir fundaciones similares.
Concentrated, single large project grant to a local Main Street-type organization; one-off, program-specific funding rather than diversified or multi-year commitments.
Notable grantees: MAINSTREET OF FREMONT
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $33,000 at the 75th percentile, although the recent grants list includes several much larger awards. The foundation gives mostly in Nebraska, but the same grantees can appear across multiple years: Food Bank of the Heartland, Open Door Mission, Mainstreet of Fremont, and the University of Nebraska Foundation each received repeated support. Its grants are classified as regular-funder activity rather than DAF or program-related investing, and the record includes both restricted project support and general operating funds.
Grantmaking is regional, with 72% of grants going to recipients in Nebraska. Fremont is a frequent destination, including Mainstreet of Fremont, the City of Fremont, Friends of Keene Memorial Library, and First Presbyterian Church of Fremont. Omaha also appears often through Food Bank of the Heartland, Open Door Mission, Durham Museum, and Nebraska Humane Society. Outside Nebraska, the foundation has made grants to Lawrence, Kansas, Washington, DC, and Weatherford, Texas, but the recipient base is overwhelmingly US-based.
It backs tangible community projects, especially downtown placemaking and seasonal beautification. Recent examples include $329,000 to Mainstreet of Fremont for holiday decorations, summer flower pots, and bumpouts, and $122,500 to the City of Fremont for downtown entry archways.
Yes. Several recent grants were listed as general operating funds, including $100,000 to First Presbyterian Church of Fremont, $100,000 to Food Bank of the Heartland, and $90,000 to Friends of Keene Memorial Library.
Nebraska receives the large majority of grants, with 72% going to recipients in the HQ state. Kansas is the top state by grant count outside the foundation’s headquarters state.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $33,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger project grants, such as $329,000 and $150,000.
It has funded the University of Nebraska Foundation for the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction and the UNO dyslexia certificate support fund. It also supported the Durham Museum’s children’s programs with grants of $70,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAINSTREET OF FREMONT | FREMONT, NE | $169,000 | 2026 | HOLIDAY DECORATIONS AND SUMMER FLOWER POTS AND BUMPOUTS |
| FOOD BANK OF THE HEARTLAND | OMAHA, NE | $160,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $150,000 | 2026 | DURHAM FUND FOR AUTISM CARE FOR TODDLERS IN FREMONT AND DURHAM FUND FOR AUTISM RESEARCH AND SUPPORT |
| THE BRIDGE | FREMONT, NE | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| OPEN DOOR MISSION | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| DURHAM MUSEUM | OMAHA, NE | $69,520 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| FRIENDS OF KEENE MEMORIAL LIBRARY | FREMONT, NE | $65,000 | 2026 | MAINTENANCE AND HOLIDAY DECORATIONS |
| INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| LAWRENCE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | LAWRENCE, KS | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| WEATHERFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | WEATHERFORD, TX | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| AMY BELL CHARITIES INC | MIDLAND, TX | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY | OMAHA, NE | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ARLINGTON YOUTH SPORTS | ARLINGTON, NE | $50,000 | 2026 | REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS |
| LIFE HOUSE | OMAHA, NE | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| PHOENIX ACADEMY DAY SCHOOL | OMAHA, NE | $50,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| FREMONT HEALTH FOUNDATION | FREMONT, NE | $50,000 | 2026 | MEMORIAL GARDEN |
| CATZ ANGELS RESCUE EFFORT | FREMONT, NE | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL | LAWRENCE, KS | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| MAKE A WISH | OMAHA, NE | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| MASONIC EASTERN STAR HOME | FREMONT, NE | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| SIENNA FRANCIS HOUSE | OMAHA, NE | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| VICTORY BOXING CLUB | OMAHA, NE | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH SCHOOL | ARLINGTON, NE | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| BLUFFS TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH | FREMONT, NE | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| VFW FREMONT POST 854 | FREMONT, NE | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| PARKER COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES BOARD | WEATHERFORD, TX | $23,400 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ROOTS TO WINGS | ARLINGTON, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| FLORENCE MILLWINTER QUARTERS | OMAHA, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| OMAHA SYMPHONY | OMAHA, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY | OMAHA, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| PRAIRIE PLAINS RESOURCE INSTITUTE | AURORA, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| DREAMWEAVER FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | ENTERTAINMENT FOR SENIORS |
| NICKERSON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | NICKERSON, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH | FREMONT, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | COMFORT DOG MINISTRY |
| METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | JOHNNY RODGERS SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| FREMONT AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | FREMONT, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| PATRIOTIC PRODUCTIONS | OMAHA, NE | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| THE WEATHERFORD SQUARE INITIATIVE INC | WEATHERFORD, TX | $18,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| JOHN C FREMONT DAYS | FREMONT, NE | $16,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| ARCHBISHOP BERGAN SCHOOL | FREMONT, NE | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| OMAHA EQUESTRIAN FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| FRIENDS OF FREMONT AREA PARKS | FREMONT, NE | $15,000 | 2026 | FISHING DERBY |
| HETRA | VALLEY, NE | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| REBUILDING TOGETHER PLATTE VALLEY EAST | FREMONT, NE | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| HEARTS UNITED FOR ANIMALS | AUBURN, NE | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA | COLUMBIA FALLS, ME | $15,000 | 2026 | FREMONT NEBRASKA MEMORIAL CEMETERY PROJECT |
| FLATSWORTHY INC | FULTON, TX | $13,100 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| BERT NASH COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC | LAWRENCE, KS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| RIVER CITY MIXED CHORUS | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
| KANEKO | OMAHA, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS |
MAINSTREET OF FREMONT
$169,000HOLIDAY DECORATIONS AND SUMMER FLOWER POTS AND BUMPOUTS
DURHAM FUND FOR AUTISM CARE FOR TODDLERS IN FREMONT AND DURHAM FUND FOR AUTISM RESEARCH AND SUPPORT
THE BRIDGE
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
FRIENDS OF KEENE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
$65,000MAINTENANCE AND HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
WEATHERFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ARLINGTON YOUTH SPORTS
$50,000REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS
LIFE HOUSE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
PHOENIX ACADEMY DAY SCHOOL
$50,000SCHOLARSHIPS
FREMONT HEALTH FOUNDATION
$50,000MEMORIAL GARDEN
CATZ ANGELS RESCUE EFFORT
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
MASONIC EASTERN STAR HOME
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
SIENNA FRANCIS HOUSE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
VICTORY BOXING CLUB
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ST PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
BLUFFS TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
VFW FREMONT POST 854
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
PARKER COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES BOARD
$23,400GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ROOTS TO WINGS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
FLORENCE MILLWINTER QUARTERS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
OMAHA SYMPHONY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
PRAIRIE PLAINS RESOURCE INSTITUTE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
NICKERSON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
$20,000COMFORT DOG MINISTRY
FREMONT AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
PATRIOTIC PRODUCTIONS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
THE WEATHERFORD SQUARE INITIATIVE INC
$18,500GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
JOHN C FREMONT DAYS
$16,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
ARCHBISHOP BERGAN SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
FRIENDS OF FREMONT AREA PARKS
$15,000FISHING DERBY
HETRA
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
REBUILDING TOGETHER PLATTE VALLEY EAST
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
HEARTS UNITED FOR ANIMALS
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
FLATSWORTHY INC
$13,100GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
BERT NASH COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS
RIVER CITY MIXED CHORUS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS