The Hawks Foundation makes relatively few but very large, place-based gifts focused on cultural institutions, civic amenities, and human services in Omaha and Nebraska. Their portfolio emphasizes capital and program support for anchor institutions—museums, libraries, riverfront/city beautification—and sustained investment in behavioral health and child/family services, with some support for higher-education scholarships. Grants are often multi-year or repeat awards to the same organizations, indicating long-term partnerships rather than broad, small-dollar giving.
The Hawks Foundation’s largest recent gift was a $13,453,544 commitment to the Joslyn Art Museum for a museum capital project, a signal of how heavily the foundation backs anchor institutions and long-horizon civic projects. Across its recent grants, the foundation pairs major capital support with operating and program funding for Omaha and Nebraska organizations serving culture, education, behavioral health, and family services. That pattern shows up in repeated support for the Omaha Public Library Foundation, Community Alliance Foundation, Child Savings Institute, and Downtown Riverfront Trust. These awards are not isolated checks: the foundation has returned to the same organizations across multiple years, including back-to-back support for Joslyn Art Museum and Community Alliance Foundation. The grant record also includes scholarships and education support through University of Nebraska Foundation, public media, legal aid for immigrants and refugees, and aid for low-income child care, affordable housing, food access, palliative care, and youth justice. The foundation’s giving is regional and place-based, with Nebraska recipients appearing throughout the portfolio and Omaha as the main center of activity. Its recent grantmaking suggests a preference for large awards to established institutions and service providers rather than a broad scatter of small grants.
Arts and cultural institutions are a clear priority. The foundation gave $1,500,000 to Museum of Nebraska Art for an art museum and $1,070,000 to Omaha Community Playhouse for performing arts, alongside major capital support for Joslyn Art Museum. Education and literacy also appear in the record. It awarded $6,050,000 to Omaha Public Library Foundation for library collections and $300,000 to Nebraska Public Media for educational media. Behavioral health and family services are another recurring theme. Community Alliance Foundation received $4,015,000, $3,550,000, and $2,515,000 for mental health programs, while Child Savings Institute received $2,016,000 and $2,002,980 for child and family services. The foundation also supports community infrastructure and direct aid. Downtown Riverfront Trust received $2,000,000 for city beautification and another $2,000,000 for a community park project, and Habitat for Humanity Omaha received $450,000 for affordable housing.
$32.6M
$413.1M
$108.5M
$35.5M
Most grants fall between $4K and $50K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 71% of grants go to recipients in NE.
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small set of repeat, local grantees—frequently capital or program-restricted awards to anchor institutions—with occasional gifts to higher education and donor-advised/pass-through vehicles.
Notable grantees: Joslyn Art Museum, Community Alliance Foundation, Omaha Public Library Foundation, Child Savings Institute, Downtown Riverfront Trust
The Hawks Foundation’s recent grants cluster around a p25 of $3,520, a median of $16,175, and a p75 of $50,000, but the top end is far larger and includes multiple million-dollar awards. The record points to repeat funding rather than one-time relationships: Joslyn Art Museum, Community Alliance Foundation, Child Savings Institute, Downtown Riverfront Trust, Omaha Community Playhouse, and University of Nebraska Foundation all received more than one recent grant. The foundation appears to operate as a private grantmaker with a regional focus, and it also makes grants to donor-advised funds and individuals are included in its overall grantmaking universe.
Nebraska dominates the portfolio: 70% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state, and Nebraska is also the top state by grant count. Omaha is the main city in the record, with major recipients including Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha Public Library Foundation, Community Alliance Trust, Child Savings Institute, and Omaha Community Playhouse. Lincoln also appears repeatedly through University of Nebraska Foundation and Nebraska Public Media, while Kearney appears with Museum of Nebraska Art. Outside Nebraska, the recent grants list includes New York, NY and San Antonio, TX.
The record centers on cultural institutions, civic amenities, behavioral health, child and family services, education, and public-serving nonprofits. Examples include museum capital projects, library collections, mental health programs, child care, affordable housing, legal aid for immigrants and refugees, and palliative care.
The grant distribution shows a p25 of $3,520, a median of $16,175, and a p75 of $50,000. The recent file also includes several much larger awards in the millions, showing a wide spread between routine grants and major commitments.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear across more than one year in the recent record, including Joslyn Art Museum, Community Alliance Foundation, Child Savings Institute, Downtown Riverfront Trust, Omaha Community Playhouse, and University of Nebraska Foundation.
Nebraska is the main giving state, accounting for 70% of grants to recipients in the headquarters state and also ranking first by grant count. Omaha is the most common recipient city, with additional grants in Lincoln and Kearney.
Yes. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds individuals, and the recent grants list includes a grant to a donor-advised fund as well as the broader portfolio of organizational awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCHWAB DONOR ADVISED FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $6,949,615 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $6,050,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT LIBRARY COLLECTIONS |
| COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $2,515,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS |
| CHILD SAVINGS INSTITUTE | OMAHA, NE | $2,016,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES |
| CHILD SAVINGS INSTITUTE | OMAHA, NE | $2,002,980 | 2025 | SUPPORT CHILD & FAMILY |
| DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT TRUST | OMAHA, NE | $2,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT COMMUNITY PARK PROJECT |
| MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART | KEARNEY, NE | $1,500,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ART MUSEUAM |
| OMAHA COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE | OMAHA, NE | $1,070,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PERFORMING ARTS |
| JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS | OMAHA, NE | $950,015 | 2025 | SUPPORT LEGAL AID FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES |
| UNIVERSITY OF NE FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $702,599 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS |
| JOSIE HARPER HOSPICE HOUSE | OMAHA, NE | $400,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PALLIATIVE CARE |
| NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA (FKA NET NE) | LINCOLN, NE | $300,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL MEDIA |
| UNIVERSITY OF NE FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $290,857 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BROOKE ARMY MEDICAL CENTER | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $222,845 | 2025 | SEATS FOR SOLDIERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NE FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $215,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE | OMAHA, NE | $200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH CARE |
| DURHAM MUSEUM | OMAHA, NE | $200,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MUSEUM PROGRAMS |
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATION | BOSTON, MA | $195,758 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION |
| SANTA MONICA | OMAHA, NE | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT WOMEN IN RECOVERY |
| IMMIGRANT LEGAL CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $124,985 | 2025 | SUPPORT LEGAL AID FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES |
| COLLEGE OF ST MARY | OMAHA, NE | $120,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE MASTER | OMAHA, NE | $108,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CHRISTIAN MINISTRY |
| MOUNT SINAI HEALTH SYSTEM | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE MIDLANDS | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| HOLY NAME HOUSING CORPORATION | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT LOW INCOME HOUSING PROGRAM |
| ONE WORLD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT HEALTH CARE |
| SUSAN LAFLESCHE PICOTTE CENTER | WALTHILL, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MUSEUM PROJECT |
| FAMILY HOUSING ADVISORY SERVICES | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM |
| JOSLYN ART MUSEUM | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MUSEUM |
| OMAHA SYMPHONY | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PERFORMING ARTS |
| SIENA FRANCIS HOUSE | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SHELTER SERVICES |
| RISE (FKA DEFY) | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR INCARCERATED |
| INTERCULTURAL SENIOR CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $80,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS |
| TOGETHER INC | OMAHA, NE | $80,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM |
| METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | OMAHA, NE | $76,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ACADEMIC PROGRAM |
| COMPLETELY KIDS | OMAHA, NE | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OUT OF SCHOOLTIME PROGRAM |
| OMAHA MUNICIPAL LAND BANK | OMAHA, NE | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT REDEVELOPMENT |
| KIEWIT LUMINARIUM | OMAHA, NE | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SCIENCE EDUCATION |
| BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BELLEVUE, NE | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - CB | COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING |
| HEART MINISTRY CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $73,583 | 2025 | SUPPORT POVERTY RELIEF PROGRAM |
| GIRLS INCORPORATED OF OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $70,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR GIRLS |
| MICAH HOUSE | COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | $65,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SHELTER SERVICES |
| KOUNTZE COMMONS SOCIAL WORKER | OMAHA, NE | $65,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SOCIAL WORK NAVIGATION |
| LEGAL AID | OMAHA, NE | $60,050 | 2025 | SUPPORT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE POOR |
| VISITING NURSES ASSOC | OMAHA, NE | $60,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT HEATLH CARE FOR LOW-INCOME |
| FRIENDSHIP HOME OF LINCOLN | LINCOLN, NE | $60,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT WOMEN'S SHELTER |
| CAROLE'S HOUSE OF HOPE | OMAHA, NE | $60,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT HOUSING FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN |
| NEW VISIONS HOMELESS SERVICES | COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA | $58,866 | 2025 | SUPPORT HOMELESS SERVICES |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $53,061 | 2025 | SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP AND ATHLETICS PROGRAMS |
SCHWAB DONOR ADVISED FUND
$6,949,615GENERAL SUPPORT
OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$6,050,000SUPPORT LIBRARY COLLECTIONS
COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOUNDATION
$2,515,000SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS
CHILD SAVINGS INSTITUTE
$2,016,000SUPPORT CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES
CHILD SAVINGS INSTITUTE
$2,002,980SUPPORT CHILD & FAMILY
DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT TRUST
$2,000,000SUPPORT COMMUNITY PARK PROJECT
MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART
$1,500,000SUPPORT ART MUSEUAM
OMAHA COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE
$1,070,000SUPPORT PERFORMING ARTS
JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS
$950,015SUPPORT LEGAL AID FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
UNIVERSITY OF NE FOUNDATION
$702,599SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
JOSIE HARPER HOSPICE HOUSE
$400,000SUPPORT PALLIATIVE CARE
NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA (FKA NET NE)
$300,000SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL MEDIA
UNIVERSITY OF NE FOUNDATION
$290,857SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
BROOKE ARMY MEDICAL CENTER
$222,845SEATS FOR SOLDIERS
UNIVERSITY OF NE FOUNDATION
$215,000SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE
$200,000SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH CARE
DURHAM MUSEUM
$200,000SUPPORT MUSEUM PROGRAMS
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATION
$195,758SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
SANTA MONICA
$150,000SUPPORT WOMEN IN RECOVERY
IMMIGRANT LEGAL CENTER
$124,985SUPPORT LEGAL AID FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
COLLEGE OF ST MARY
$120,000SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE MASTER
$108,000SUPPORT CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
MOUNT SINAI HEALTH SYSTEM
$100,000SUPPORT MEDICAL RESEARCH
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE MIDLANDS
$100,000SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAMS
HOLY NAME HOUSING CORPORATION
$100,000SUPPORT LOW INCOME HOUSING PROGRAM
ONE WORLD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
$100,000SUPPORT HEALTH CARE
SUSAN LAFLESCHE PICOTTE CENTER
$100,000SUPPORT MUSEUM PROJECT
FAMILY HOUSING ADVISORY SERVICES
$100,000SUPPORT FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM
JOSLYN ART MUSEUM
$100,000SUPPORT MUSEUM
OMAHA SYMPHONY
$100,000SUPPORT PERFORMING ARTS
SIENA FRANCIS HOUSE
$100,000SUPPORT SHELTER SERVICES
RISE (FKA DEFY)
$100,000SUPPORT RE-ENTRY PROGRAM FOR INCARCERATED
INTERCULTURAL SENIOR CENTER
$80,000SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS
TOGETHER INC
$80,000SUPPORT HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$76,000SUPPORT ACADEMIC PROGRAM
COMPLETELY KIDS
$75,000SUPPORT OUT OF SCHOOLTIME PROGRAM
OMAHA MUNICIPAL LAND BANK
$75,000SUPPORT REDEVELOPMENT
KIEWIT LUMINARIUM
$75,000SUPPORT SCIENCE EDUCATION
BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$75,000SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - CB
$75,000SUPPORT MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING
HEART MINISTRY CENTER
$73,583SUPPORT POVERTY RELIEF PROGRAM
GIRLS INCORPORATED OF OMAHA
$70,000SUPPORT OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR GIRLS
MICAH HOUSE
$65,000SUPPORT SHELTER SERVICES
KOUNTZE COMMONS SOCIAL WORKER
$65,000SUPPORT SOCIAL WORK NAVIGATION
LEGAL AID
$60,050SUPPORT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE POOR
VISITING NURSES ASSOC
$60,000SUPPORT HEATLH CARE FOR LOW-INCOME
FRIENDSHIP HOME OF LINCOLN
$60,000SUPPORT WOMEN'S SHELTER
CAROLE'S HOUSE OF HOPE
$60,000SUPPORT HOUSING FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN
NEW VISIONS HOMELESS SERVICES
$58,866SUPPORT HOMELESS SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA
$53,061SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP AND ATHLETICS PROGRAMS