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John And Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.6M
Grant Range
$3K - $2.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,593,500 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $2,055,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Nebraska (also Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, California, Massachusetts, and other states)

Contact Details

Foundation Address: 1620 Dodge St Stop 3400 Omaha, NE 68197

Grants Manager: Christina Kahler Managing Director, Marketing & Philanthropy First National Bank of Omaha Email: Available through FNBO

Overview

The John and Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation was established in 1974 as a private family foundation in Omaha, Nebraska. With total assets of approximately $85.3 million, the foundation distributed $6,593,500 in grants to 36 organizations in 2023. The foundation is closely affiliated with the Lauritzen family, which controls First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO), the largest privately-owned banking company in the United States. Clark Lauritzen currently serves as President, with Clarkson D. Lauritzen as President/Treasurer, Margaret L. Dodge as Secretary, and Blair L. Gogel as Vice President. The foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation and conducts no direct charitable activities. Christina Kahler, based at FNBO, manages the foundation's grants administration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants ranging from $3,000 to over $2 million, with 36 awards distributed in 2023. The foundation does not have publicly defined grant programs or funding cycles.

Priority Areas

  • Performing Arts: Support for arts and cultural organizations
  • Higher Education: Grants to colleges and universities
  • Health Care: Medical facilities and health services
  • Protestant Churches and Religious Agencies: Faith-based organizations
  • Human Services: Social service organizations
  • Education: Educational institutions and programs
  • Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Grantmaking foundations

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available.

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

  • Bruce R. Lauritzen: Former President (Chairman and CEO of Lauritzen Corporation and Chairman of First National of Nebraska; passed away February 2024)
  • Clark (Clarkson D.) Lauritzen: Current President/Treasurer, sixth-generation leader of FNBO
  • Margaret L. Dodge: Secretary (daughter of Bruce Lauritzen)
  • Blair L. Gogel: Vice President (daughter of Bruce Lauritzen)

Foundation Management:

  • Christina Kahler: Grants Manager and Managing Director of Marketing & Philanthropy at FNBO, who leads Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy for FNBO and manages grants for the Lauritzen Foundation

The foundation's leadership consists of members of the Lauritzen family, who built their wealth through banking and have been prominent Omaha philanthropists for generations. The family's flagship institution, First National Bank of Omaha, was founded in 1857, and John Lauritzen (the foundation's namesake) was a pioneering innovator in the bank credit card industry in the 1950s.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The John and Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation operates as a private family foundation with grants awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees. There is no public application portal, published guidelines, or open call for proposals. Grants are typically awarded based on trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships with organizations.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for unsolicited applications.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 36 grants in 2023, 35 in 2022, and 30 in 2021, showing consistent but selective grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors may be relevant for organizations hoping to be considered:

  • Geographic location: Strong preference for Nebraska-based organizations, particularly in the Omaha area, though the foundation has supported organizations in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, California, Massachusetts, and other states
  • Alignment with family interests: Focus on performing arts, higher education, healthcare, and Protestant religious organizations reflects the Lauritzen family's philanthropic priorities
  • Established organizations: The foundation tends to support well-established institutions rather than start-ups
  • FNBO connection: Given the foundation's administrative relationship with First National Bank of Omaha, organizations with existing relationships to FNBO may have greater visibility
  • Community impact: Organizations demonstrating significant community benefit in areas where the Lauritzen family has business and personal interests

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The John and Elizabeth Lauritzen Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and operates on a trustee-discretion model
  • With $6.6 million in annual giving distributed to approximately 36 organizations, this is a significant but highly selective funder
  • The foundation is a family foundation controlled by the Lauritzen family, prominent Omaha business leaders who own First National Bank of Omaha
  • Geographic focus is primarily Nebraska, with strongest ties to Omaha
  • Priority areas include performing arts, higher education, healthcare, and Protestant religious organizations
  • Organizations seeking support should focus on building relationships within the Omaha philanthropic community and with FNBO
  • Grant amounts range widely from $3,000 to over $2 million, suggesting the foundation supports both small community projects and major capital campaigns

References

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