Buffett Early Childhood Fund
Preselected recipients only
Buffett Early Childhood Fund is a private foundation in Omaha, Nebraska. In tax year 2025 it gave $33.4 million in 42 grants; the typical grant was $200,000 and the largest $4.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$33.4 million
- Number of grants42
- Typical grant$200,000
- Largest grant$4.0 million
- Assets$8.0 million
- New grantees50%
Giving in 2025 was up from $31.9 million the year before.
50% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $30.6 million | 39 | $8.6 million |
| 2024 | $31.9 million | 41 | $9.0 million |
| 2025 | $33.4 million | 42 | $8.0 million |
How to apply
Buffett Early Childhood Fund says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Buffett Early Childhood Fund funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to Nebraska.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 18 | $21.1 million |
| Illinois | 4 | $3.9 million |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $3.7 million |
| Massachusetts | 3 | $1.9 million |
| North Carolina | 2 | $773,279 |
| New York | 3 | $502,500 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $425,000 |
| California | 2 | $260,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $250,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $200,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Children & Families Foundation | First five nebraska operating support, rooted in relationships, communities 4 kids, outdoor space exploration, data project, and changemakers program support | $4.0 million |
| Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative | General operating support 2025 | $4.0 million |
| Start Early | Educare learning network support, first five years fund and project support, and annual luncheon support | $3.7 million |
| Educare of Omaha Inc | Quality early childhood program operating support | $3.7 million |
| Early Childhood Impact Group | Educare learning network program support | $3.6 million |
| Alliance for Early Success | State based early childhood education support | $3.0 million |
| Educare of Lincoln | Quality early childhood program operating support | $2.2 million |
| Early Futures Partnership | General operations support | $1.8 million |
| President & Fellows of Harvard College | Center for the developing child operating support | $1.0 million |
| Tsne | Ecfc raising child care fund, eeic support, build conference sponsorship, rje program support | $860,000 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Frank porter graham child development - eln evaluation | $772,679 |
| Educare of Washington DC | Quality early childhood program operating support | $711,866 |
| Project Harmony Child Advocacy Center | Impact from infancy project support, annual luncheon support | $498,561 |
| Next Door Foundation Inc | Educare milwaukee quality early childhood program support | $425,000 |
| Teachers College Columbia University | Ecpihe project support | $300,000 |
| University of Nebraska Foundation | Debra wisneski scholarship support, uno cehhs ec inclusive fund | $275,000 |
| Impacting Futures Inc | General operations support | $250,000 |
| Vanderbilt University Peabody College | Pn-3 project support | $250,000 |
| Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children Inc | Respect apprenticeship project support | $243,466 |
| Comic Relief Inc | Red nose day matching grant | $200,000 |
| Lincoln Community Foundation | Lincoln littles program support | $200,000 |
| NCSL Foundation for State Legislatures | Child care policy project support | $200,000 |
| University of Nebraska Board of Regents | Educare of lincoln evaluation | $194,097 |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center | Kidsight project support, strategic advisor support | $156,912 |
| Northern Illinois University Foundation | Center for early learning funding equity general operations support | $150,000 |
| Esu 3 Educational Foundation | Nebraska child development associate navigator project support | $130,000 |
| Before Racism | Young hearts, open minds program support | $100,000 |
| Health Federation of Philadelphia | La, ca wildfires emergency support | $100,000 |
| Institute for Child Success Inc | Strong nation project support | $100,000 |
| Partnership 4 Kids | Book buddy program support | $90,000 |
| Let's Grow Kids | Sharing vermont's progress project support | $85,000 |
| Greater Omaha Chamber Foundation | Childcare initiatives project support | $40,000 |
| Ashland Greenwood Public Schools Foundation | Early childhood internship pilot project support | $10,000 |
| Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs Inc | Opportunities exchange project support | $10,000 |
| Belmont Community Center | Redevelopment plan project support | $5,000 |
| Erikson Institute | Annual luncheon support | $2,500 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | Ecloc general support | $2,500 |
| Voices for Children in Nebraska | Raise your voice 2025 support | $2,500 |
| Springfield Operations Ecs Inc | Educare springfield genreral operations support | $2,000 |
| Educare of West Dupage | General operations support | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Susan A Buffett
- Helen Raikes
- Wallace Weitz
- Mike Burke
- Jessie Rasmussen
Questions people ask
Does Buffett Early Childhood Fund accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Buffett Early Childhood Fund give?
$33.4 million in tax year 2025, across 42 grants, with a typical grant of $200,000.
Who runs Buffett Early Childhood Fund?
Its 2025 filing lists Susan A Buffett (Director & Chair), Helen Raikes (Director & Treasurer), Wallace Weitz (Director & Secretary) and Mike Burke (Vice-President) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Buffett Early Childhood Fund fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and human services.