Sherwood Foundation
ActivePhilanthropy & VoluntarismMakes PRIsFunds Individuals
About Sherwood Foundation
The Sherwood Foundation is a highly Omaha-centric funder that concentrates substantial resources on local education, children and family well-being, civic/legal access for immigrants, and community placemaking/parks. They favor multi-year operating and capital support for organizations that strengthen public schools, early childhood systems, behavioral and reproductive health access, and neighborhood revitalization in the Omaha–Nebraska region. The foundation mixes large institutional gifts (universities, community foundations) with repeated investments in neighborhood nonprofits and legal/advocacy groups that expand civic and social supports for vulnerable populations.
Focus Areas
University-run K–12 pipeline and higher-ed partnerships in Nebraska (e.g., UNO Success Academy)Early childhood systems and programming in Omaha (large support to Buffett Early Childhood Fund and local youth organizations)Neighborhood revitalization and parks/green space development in Omaha and Iowa Great Lakes (capital and planning grants)Immigration legal services and civic-legal advocacy for Nebraska immigrantsBehavioral and primary care access for children and families (community clinics, family planning)
Who They Fund
children & youth (elementary and middle school students)
About Sherwood Foundation
The Sherwood Foundation’s recent giving is marked by very large, repeated commitments to Nebraska institutions, especially the University of Nebraska Foundation and Buffett Early Childhood Fund. Three consecutive years of capital support to the university foundation reached more than $75 million across the latest grants listed, all tied to the NEXT Project capital and construction fund. The same pattern appears in early childhood, where Buffett Early Childhood Fund received multiple eight-figure operating grants across 2022, 2023, and 2024. That combination of major capital funding and sustained operating support defines how the foundation works. Beyond those anchor commitments, the foundation backs local organizations serving children, families, and neighborhood redevelopment in Omaha and nearby communities. Its recent portfolio includes support for a public library project through Community Information Trust, behavioral health infrastructure through Mental Health Innovation Foundation, and neighborhood revitalization through Omaha Community Foundation and Southside Redevelopment Corporation. The foundation also funds legal advocacy and immigrant services, showing a mix of institutional, civic, and direct-service priorities within a Nebraska-centered grantmaking pattern.
What Sherwood Foundation Funds
In education, the foundation supported the University of Nebraska Foundation with capital and construction funding for the NEXT Project, and also gave to Collective for Youth for an elementary CLC program grant. Those awards point to interest in K-12 pathways and school-connected programming. Early childhood is another clear focus. Buffett Early Childhood Fund received repeated operating grants in the eight-figure range, indicating sustained support for early learning systems rather than one-time project funding. The foundation also funds community infrastructure and wellness. Community Information Trust received support for the Omaha Central Public Library Project, while Mental Health Innovation Foundation was funded for a behavioral health and wellness center at Children's. In the health arena, Family Planning Council of Nebraska received grants for the Sexual & Reproductive Health Initiative.
How Sherwood Foundation Gives
Typical grant size centers at $35,000 at the 25th percentile, $75,000 at the median, and $225,000 at the 75th percentile, even as the recent grants list includes much larger institutional awards. The foundation’s giving pattern shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, including the University of Nebraska Foundation, Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Campaign Legal Center, and Family Planning Council of Nebraska. It is a Regular Funder, funds individuals, and makes program-related investments. Active grant programs include Program Grants, Operating Grants, and Capital Grants, all open to unsolicited applications and all focused on Nebraska.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$256.1M
Total Assets
$716.3M
Total Revenue
$653.1M
Total Expenses
$267.9M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $35K and $225K, with a median of $75K.
25th Percentile
$35K
Median
$75K
75th Percentile
$225K
Geographic Reach
Local17 states funded
About 90% of grants go to recipients in NE.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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