The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation is a private foundation in Omaha, Nebraska. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.5 billion in 417 grants; the typical grant was $602,713 and the largest $80.5 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$1.5 billion
- Number of grants417
- Typical grant$602,713
- Largest grant$80.5 million
- Assets$2.7 billion
- New grantees37%
Giving in 2025 was up from $909 million the year before.
37% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $695 million | 373 | $2.3 billion |
| 2024 | $909 million | 398 | $2.8 billion |
| 2025 | $1.5 billion | 417 | $2.7 billion |
How to apply
The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation 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.
What The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 34 states, the most to District of Columbia. It also paid $863 million in 53 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 62 | $159 million |
| New York | 52 | $125 million |
| Maryland | 6 | $77.7 million |
| Nebraska | 51 | $57.5 million |
| California | 38 | $44.5 million |
| Colorado | 11 | $17.2 million |
| Massachusetts | 12 | $15.2 million |
| Michigan | 6 | $13.2 million |
| Oregon | 4 | $11.8 million |
| Georgia | 12 | $11.3 million |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Nigeria | Program support | $80.5 million |
| Naf Hotline Fund | Program support | $67.3 million |
| International Bank for Reconstruction and Development | Program support | $60.0 million |
| Oromia Health Bureau | Program support | $50.5 million |
| Ministry of Health Burkina Faso | Program support | $47.0 million |
| The Global Fund to Fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria | Program support | $40.0 million |
| Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean | Program support | $38.6 million |
| Ministry of Health and Sanitation Sierra Leone | Program support | $38.0 million |
| Center for International Reproductive Health Training (Cirht) | Program support | $36.8 million |
| Sand Tech Holdings Limited | Program support | $35.2 million |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc | Program support | $32.7 million |
| Gidabo Policy and Advocacy Center | Program support | $32.4 million |
| Imbuto Foundation | Program support | $30.8 million |
| Republic of Togo | Program support | $30.0 million |
| Ministry of Health Republic of Rwanda | Program support | $30.0 million |
| Sustainable Healthcare Solutions Africa | Program support | $30.0 million |
| King Faisal Hospital Rwanda Foundation (KFHRF) | Program support | $28.2 million |
| Kenya Ministry of Health State Department for Medical Services | Program support | $26.0 million |
| Ministry of Health Republic of Zambia | Program support | $26.0 million |
| Ministre de la Sant Publique de la Rpublique du Bnin | Program support | $25.3 million |
| Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene Senegal | Program support | $23.8 million |
| Ministry of Health Malawi | Program support | $23.5 million |
| Ministry of Public Health and Population Central African Republic | Program support | $22.0 million |
| Amhara Regional Health Bureau | Program support | $20.2 million |
| International Bank for Reconstruction and Development | Program support | $15.0 million |
| Society of Family Planning | General operating support | $13.9 million |
| Liberia Ministry of Health | Program support | $13.5 million |
| Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene - Democratic Republic of the Congo | Program support | $13.4 million |
| Health Intelligence Centre for Africa | Program support | $13.0 million |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc | Program support | $12.1 million |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc | Program support | $12.0 million |
| Regents of the University of Michigan | Program support | $11.6 million |
| World Health Organization - Regional Office for Africa | Program support | $11.3 million |
| Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health | Program support | $11.0 million |
| Tigray Regional Health Bureau | Program support | $10.1 million |
| The Government of the Republic of Botswana | Program support | $10.0 million |
| Willows International | Program support | $9.8 million |
| St Paul Institute for Reproductive Health and Rights | Program support | $8.2 million |
| University of Nebraska Omaha Board of Regents | Scholarships | $7.1 million |
| University of Nebraska Omaha Board of Regents | Scholarships | $6.9 million |
Officers and trustees
- Allen Greenberg
- Michelle Martinson
- Tamara Watts
- Susan A Buffett
- Peter A Buffett
- Emily Greenberg
Questions people ask
Does The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation give?
$1.5 billion in tax year 2025, across 417 grants, with a typical grant of $602,713.
Who runs The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Allen Greenberg (President/Director), Michelle Martinson (Treasurer/Vp of Finance), Tamara Watts (Secretary/Vp Legal & General Counsel) and Susan A Buffett (Board Chair) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly international, health and faith communities.