Cooper Foundation
Accepts applications
Cooper Foundation is a private foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.0 million in 65 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $80,398. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.0 million
- Number of grants65
- Typical grant$15,000
- Largest grant$80,398
- Assets$30.4 million
- New grantees68%
Giving in 2025 was up from $736,626 the year before.
68% 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 | $515,722 | 54 | $25.9 million |
| 2024 | $736,626 | 54 | $27.7 million |
| 2025 | $1.0 million | 65 | $30.4 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Cooper Foundation 870 Wells Fargo Center 1248 O, Street, Lincoln, NE 68508 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (402) 476-7571 |
| What to submit | Applications must be submitted online. Each application should include a request narrative that includes the following information: amount requested and its purpose, who will benefit, funding goal and plan to achieve that funding, and the specific outcomes the grantee hopes to achieve and the benchmarks that will be used to measure their success. Each application should also include the following supporting documentation: project budget, operating budget for the current year and next fiscal year, if applicable, balance sheet, income/expense statement, the most recent budget vs actual comparision, year-end financial report, and a listing of the board of directors and staff. |
| Deadlines | Applications are reviewed at board of trustee meetings |
| Restrictions | Grants are made primarily to Nebraska non-profit organizations |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Cooper Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Nebraska.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 64 | $1.0 million |
| Missouri | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln En Thompson Forum on World Issues | Program | $80,398 |
| United Way of Lincolnlancaster County | Program | $39,000 |
| Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation | Program | $30,000 |
| Southeast Community College Educational Foundation | Program | $27,000 |
| Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement | Operating | $25,000 |
| Clyde Malone Community Center | Operating | $25,000 |
| Nebraska Arts Council Development Corp | Program | $25,000 |
| The Hub Central Access Point for Young Adults | Program | $25,000 |
| Bravebe Child Advocacy Center | Operating | $25,000 |
| Center for People | Operating | $25,000 |
| Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders County | Operating | $25,000 |
| Hope Spoke | Operating | $25,000 |
| Rabble Mill DBA the Bay | Operating | $25,000 |
| Indian Center Inc | Operating | $20,000 |
| Lux Center for the Arts | Operating | $20,000 |
| Voices of Hope Lincoln Inc | Program | $20,000 |
| University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lied Center for Performing Arts | Operating | $20,000 |
| Nebraska Journalism Trust | Operating | $20,000 |
| Lincoln Literacy | Program | $20,000 |
| Teammates Mentoring Program | Operating | $20,000 |
| Center for Legal Immigration Assistance | Operating | $20,000 |
| Food Bank of Lincoln | Operating | $20,000 |
| Foster Care Closet | Operating | $20,000 |
| Humanities Nebraska | Program | $20,000 |
| Midland University | Scholarship | $19,000 |
| Civic Nebraska | Program | $15,000 |
| Nebraska Tribes Addressing Violence Coalition | Operating | $15,000 |
| Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning | Operating | $15,000 |
| ACLU of Nebraska | Operating | $15,000 |
| Conservation Nebraska | Operating | $15,000 |
| Rise Academy | Operating | $15,000 |
| Sheldon Art Association | Program | $15,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of the Heartland Inc | Program | $15,000 |
| Legal Aid of Nebraska | Program | $15,000 |
| Neighborworks Lincoln | Program | $15,000 |
| Lincoln Children's Museum | Program | $12,000 |
| Lincoln Community Foundation | Program | $10,000 |
| Lincoln Community Playhouse | Operating | $10,000 |
| Nebraska Cultural Endowment | Operating | $10,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Omaha | Operating | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- E Arthur Thompson
- Kim Robak
- Brad Korell
- Jack D Campbell
- Connie Duncan
- Tyre J McDowell
- Michelle Suarez
- Richard J Vierk
- Victoria Grasso
- Jasmine Kingsley
Questions people ask
Does Cooper Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Applications are reviewed at board of trustee meetings.
How much does Cooper Foundation give?
$1.0 million in tax year 2025, across 65 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.
Who runs Cooper Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists E Arthur Thompson (Trustee), Kim Robak (Trustee), Brad Korell (Treasurer) and Jack D Campbell (Trustee) among 10 officers and trustees.
What does Cooper Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and human services.