The Weitz Family Foundation appears focused on supporting higher education in Nebraska, making large-scale institutional gifts rather than many small grants. Its sole reported grant is a single substantial general operating award to the University of Nebraska Foundation, suggesting a preference for flexible, unrestricted support to a major state university.
Highly concentrated: a single large, unrestricted grant to a flagship university foundation rather than distributed or small-scale giving. No evidence of repeat or diversified grantees in the available data.
The Weitz Family Foundation’s most visible recent pattern is a series of large general operating awards to Nebraska institutions, led by a $1,227,958 grant to University of Nebraska Foundation in 2024. That gift fits a broader profile of flexible support for organizations with statewide or local reach, rather than restricted project funding. Recent awards also include major operating support for The Nebraska Journalism Trust, Uno Service Learning, Yates Fund, and The Union for Contemporary Art, all in Omaha. Across the recent grant list, the foundation’s giving shows a strong Nebraska orientation and a preference for established nonprofit partners. Higher education appears prominently through the University of Nebraska Foundation and Columbia University Teachers College, while community-focused groups such as Immigrant Legal Center, Planned Parenthood, and Avenue Scholars also appear among the larger awards. The grant descriptions available here are mostly general operating, which points to broad institutional support and flexibility for recipients’ day-to-day needs. The foundation’s active programs also show an interest in capacity building through fellow placements and annual partner grants, reinforcing a model centered on organizational support and leadership development.
Higher education is a clear thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $1,227,958 to University of Nebraska Foundation for general operating support, and it also awarded $600,000 to Columbia University Teachers College for general operating support. The foundation also backs journalism and civic infrastructure. The Nebraska Journalism Trust received $650,000 in 2024 for general operating support, while Nebraska Civic Engagement Table received $346,000 in 2024 and $321,000 in 2023. Community-based service organizations are another visible category. Immigrant Legal Center received $450,000 in both 2023 and 2024, and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation received $300,000 in both years. Arts and neighborhood work also appear through The Union for Contemporary Art and Seventy Five North Revitalization Corp, both of which received large operating grants.
Typical grant size is substantial: the p25 is $17,000, the median is $40,000, and the p75 is $100,000. The recent grant list is dominated by general operating support, with several recipients appearing in multiple years, including Columbia University Teachers College, University of Nebraska Foundation, Immigrant Legal Center, Opera Omaha, Planned Parenthood, Avenue Scholars, Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation, and Seventy Five North. The foundation also runs an annual application cycle and offers programs that accept unsolicited applications, including fellow placements and competitive partner grants. Its grantmaking is organized around operating support, capacity building, and annual funding rounds.
$19.4M
$19.6M
$23.9M
$21M
Most grants fall between $17K and $100K, with a median of $40K.
25th Percentile
$17K
Median
$40K
75th Percentile
$100K
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Notable grantees: University of Nebraska Foundation
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Nebraska: 94% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Nebraska is also the top state by grant count. Omaha accounts for many of the listed awards, with additional grants in Lincoln. Outside Nebraska, the recent list includes New York, Chicago, and a recipient listed in Chicago. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 333 grants to U.S. organizations.
The recent grants and active programs point to general operating support for higher education, journalism, civic engagement, arts, health, immigration services, and community development. University of Nebraska Foundation, The Nebraska Journalism Trust, Immigrant Legal Center, and The Union for Contemporary Art are among the larger recent recipients.
The stated grant-size distribution is $17,000 at the 25th percentile, $40,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards are often much larger than the median, including seven-figure and high six-figure operating grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Columbia University Teachers College, University of Nebraska Foundation, Immigrant Legal Center, Opera Omaha, Planned Parenthood, Avenue Scholars, Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation, and Seventy Five North.
Its giving is local and concentrated in Nebraska. Ninety-four percent of grants go to recipients in Nebraska, and Omaha and Lincoln are the main recipient cities in the recent grant list, with a smaller number of awards going outside the state.
Yes. The Weitz Fellow Placement program accepts unsolicited applications, the Beloved Community Grant accepts unsolicited applications, and the General Grantmaking annual funding cycle also accepts unsolicited applications. The annual partner grant cycle opens in July each year.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEBRASKA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW | OMAHA, NE | $606,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NEBRASKA CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TABLE | LINCOLN, NE | $531,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE ADVANCEMENT | OMAHA, NE | $530,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SOUTHSIDE REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | OMAHA, NE | $500,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NEBRASKA FORWARD | OMAHA, NE | $500,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SEVENTY FIVE NORTH REVITALIZATION CORP | OMAHA, NE | $493,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNO SERVICE LEARNING | OMAHA, NE | $490,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ONEWORLD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS INC | OMAHA, NE | $475,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNION FOR CONTEMPORARY ART | OMAHA, NE | $450,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS NEBRASKA | OMAHA, NE | $400,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EDUCATION RIGHTS COUNSEL | OMAHA, NE | $400,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LATINO CENTER OF THE MIDLANDS | OMAHA, NE | $375,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS | LYONS, NE | $375,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HEARTLAND WORKERS CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $375,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GREAT PLAINS BLACK MUSEUM | OMAHA, NE | $360,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| I BE BLACK GIRL | OMAHA, NE | $346,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $325,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GIRLS INC OF OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $320,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE NEBRASKA JOURNALISM TRUST | OMAHA, NE | $300,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NO MORE EMPTY POTS | OMAHA, NE | $300,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $300,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS | OMAHA, NE | $300,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SPARK | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EL MUSEO LATINO | OMAHA, NE | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMON CAUSE NEBRASKA | LINCOLN, NE | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FAMILY HOUSING ADVISORY SERVICES | OMAHA, NE | $225,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AVENUE SCHOLARS | OMAHA, NE | $225,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTRO HISPANO COMUNITARIO DE NEBRASKA | COLUMBUS, NE | $222,700 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| URBAN LEAGUE OF NEBRASKA | OMAHA, NE | $210,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FILM STREAMS | OMAHA, NE | $206,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNMC COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH | OMAHA, NE | $200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CARLETON COLLEGE | NORTHFIELD, MN | $200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AFRICAN-AMERICAN EMPOWERMENT NETWORK | OMAHA, NE | $200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE HEARTLAND | OMAHA, NE | $200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OPEN SKY POLICY INSTITUTE | OMAHA, NE | $185,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ACLU OF NEBRASKA | LINCOLN, NE | $181,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WOMEN'S FUND OF OMAHA | OMAHA, NE | $181,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES | OMAHA, NE | $160,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NEBRASKA MEDICINE | OMAHA, NE | $157,498 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JOSLYN ART MUSEUM | OMAHA, NE | $156,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WHISPERING ROOTS | PAPILLION, NE | $150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY INFORMATION TRUST (CIT) | OMAHA, NE | $150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE START CENTER FOR ENTREPRENUERSHIP | OMAHA, NE | $150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OMAHA CHILDREN'S TRUST | OMAHA, NE | $150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OMAHA STAR INSTITUTE | OMAHA, NE | $140,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BLACK VOTES MATTER INSTITUTE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | OMAHA, NE | $130,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EASTERN NEBRASKA COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP | OMAHA, NE | $127,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OMAHA THEATER COMPANY (THE ROSE) | OMAHA, NE | $126,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OPERA OMAHA | OMANA, NE | $125,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT CENTER | OMAHA, NE | $125,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
NEBRASKA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW
$606,500GENERAL OPERATING
NEBRASKA CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TABLE
$531,500GENERAL OPERATING
CENTER FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE ADVANCEMENT
$530,000GENERAL OPERATING
SOUTHSIDE REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$500,000GENERAL OPERATING
NEBRASKA FORWARD
$500,000GENERAL OPERATING
SEVENTY FIVE NORTH REVITALIZATION CORP
$493,000GENERAL OPERATING
UNO SERVICE LEARNING
$490,000GENERAL OPERATING
ONEWORLD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS INC
$475,000GENERAL OPERATING
UNION FOR CONTEMPORARY ART
$450,000GENERAL OPERATING
JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS NEBRASKA
$400,000GENERAL OPERATING
EDUCATION RIGHTS COUNSEL
$400,000GENERAL OPERATING
LATINO CENTER OF THE MIDLANDS
$375,000GENERAL OPERATING
CENTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS
$375,000GENERAL OPERATING
HEARTLAND WORKERS CENTER
$375,000GENERAL OPERATING
GREAT PLAINS BLACK MUSEUM
$360,000GENERAL OPERATING
I BE BLACK GIRL
$346,500GENERAL OPERATING
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF OMAHA
$325,000GENERAL OPERATING
GIRLS INC OF OMAHA
$320,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE NEBRASKA JOURNALISM TRUST
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING
NO MORE EMPTY POTS
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING
SPARK
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING
EL MUSEO LATINO
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING
COMMON CAUSE NEBRASKA
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING
FAMILY HOUSING ADVISORY SERVICES
$225,000GENERAL OPERATING
AVENUE SCHOLARS
$225,000GENERAL OPERATING
CENTRO HISPANO COMUNITARIO DE NEBRASKA
$222,700GENERAL OPERATING
URBAN LEAGUE OF NEBRASKA
$210,000GENERAL OPERATING
FILM STREAMS
$206,500GENERAL OPERATING
UNMC COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING
CARLETON COLLEGE
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING
AFRICAN-AMERICAN EMPOWERMENT NETWORK
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE HEARTLAND
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING
OPEN SKY POLICY INSTITUTE
$185,000GENERAL OPERATING
ACLU OF NEBRASKA
$181,500GENERAL OPERATING
WOMEN'S FUND OF OMAHA
$181,500GENERAL OPERATING
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES
$160,000GENERAL OPERATING
NEBRASKA MEDICINE
$157,498GENERAL OPERATING
JOSLYN ART MUSEUM
$156,500GENERAL OPERATING
WHISPERING ROOTS
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING
COMMUNITY INFORMATION TRUST (CIT)
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE START CENTER FOR ENTREPRENUERSHIP
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING
OMAHA CHILDREN'S TRUST
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING
OMAHA STAR INSTITUTE
$140,000GENERAL OPERATING
BLACK VOTES MATTER INSTITUTE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
$130,000GENERAL OPERATING
EASTERN NEBRASKA COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
$127,500GENERAL OPERATING
OMAHA THEATER COMPANY (THE ROSE)
$126,500GENERAL OPERATING
OPERA OMAHA
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT CENTER
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING
Current and upcoming funding from Weitz Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofits willing to host a fellow and work in partnership with the Foundation; specific eligibility and selection criteria are provided in the fellowship materials.
Deadline: Fellowship openings follow the Foundation’s opportunities cycle; organizations should check the opportunities page for timing (new application windows often open in July).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
