The Giving 3 Foundation (Henry A. Davis Foundation)

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1.4 million (2024)
Total Assets: $92.6 million (2024)
Grant Activity: 28 grants in 2023
Geographic Focus: National (headquarters in Omaha, NE with grants extending to California and beyond)
Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Contact Details

Address: Omaha, NE

EIN: 26-3740254

Note: This is a private foundation with no public application process. Contact information for grant inquiries is not publicly available.

Overview

The Giving 3 Foundation, also known as the Henry A. Davis Foundation, was established in March 2009 as a private family foundation. With total assets of $92.6 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $1.4 million in charitable grants that year. The foundation's stated mission is to provide "meaningful and relevant resources to people, groups, and communities in order to promote well-being, safety, and vitality."

Founded and led by Henry Davis, CEO of Greater Omaha Packing Co., the foundation primarily supports the arts while also reflecting Davis's personal philanthropic interests in vulnerable youth and community development. The foundation has demonstrated steady grant-making activity with 28 awards in 2023, 33 awards in 2022, and 19 awards in 2021. In 2020, Henry Davis was cited by the Orange County Museum of Art as one of its lead donors for its new home at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Giving 3 Foundation operates as a private family foundation making discretionary grants. Specific grant amounts and ranges are not publicly disclosed, though the foundation distributed approximately $1.4 million across 28 grants in 2023.

Application Method: Invitation only / No public application process

Priority Areas

Arts and Culture: The foundation is described as making grants to support the arts and has funded institutions such as:

Orange County Museum of Art (California)
Arts organizations in Omaha and nationally

Youth Services (through Henry Davis's personal philanthropy, which may inform foundation priorities):

Child abuse prevention and intervention
Youth development programs
Educational support for underserved youth

Community Well-being: Aligned with the foundation's mission to promote well-being, safety, and vitality in communities.

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available. As a private foundation making discretionary grants, they likely focus on their stated priorities rather than accepting unsolicited proposals across all sectors.

Governance and Leadership

Henry A. Davis - President

CEO of Greater Omaha Packing Co. (fifth-largest beef producer in the U.S. with $1.8 billion in annual sales)
Named United Way of the Midlands Citizen of the Year 2023
Inducted into the Aksarben Court of Honor
Board service: Bellevue University, Omaha Community Foundation, Jewish Federation of Omaha, Catholic Charities, North American Meat Institute, Joslyn Art Museum, Kaneko
Personal philanthropic support includes Project Harmony (Henry Davis Campus opened 2010) and Henry Davis Bryan Middle School Boys & Girls Club

Lauren B. Davis - Director

Daughter of Henry Davis
Psychotherapist
Aksarben Page (1999) and Princess (2012)

The foundation's leadership reflects a commitment to both arts and vulnerable youth, with Henry Davis quoted regarding his passion for helping children: "He has improved the lives of so many children in the community thanks to his passion and support for organizations like Project Harmony, Children's Hospital, Avenue Scholars and many others."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Giving 3 Foundation operates as a private family foundation making grants through trustee discretion. According to their tax filings, "Direct contributions are made to charitable organizations only."

Grants appear to be awarded based on:

Relationships and connections with foundation leadership
Alignment with the Davis family's philanthropic interests
Invitation or identification by foundation trustees

Getting on Their Radar

Board Connections: The foundation's president, Henry Davis, serves on numerous boards in Omaha and nationally. Organizations where leadership has existing relationships with Davis or his board affiliations may have better positioning:

Arts institutions (particularly given his service on Joslyn Art Museum and Kaneko boards)
Youth-serving organizations in Omaha
Organizations supported through the Omaha Community Foundation, where Davis has served on the board

Geographic Proximity: While the foundation has supported organizations outside Nebraska (such as the Orange County Museum of Art in California), there may be advantages for Omaha-based organizations given the Davis family's deep roots and engagement in the community.

Alignment with Personal Interests: Henry Davis's demonstrated commitment to vulnerable youth (Project Harmony, Boys & Girls Clubs) and the arts suggests these areas align with his values and may inform foundation priorities.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly available, as grants are made through trustee discretion rather than application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept public applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations seeking to build relationships with the foundation should consider:

Alignment with Mission: The foundation's stated purpose is to "promote well-being, safety, and vitality" in communities. Organizations that can demonstrate impact in these areas, particularly in the arts or youth services, align with stated priorities.

Geographic Considerations: While the foundation has supported national organizations, Omaha-based nonprofits may benefit from proximity to the Davis family's extensive community engagement.

Arts Focus: The foundation is specifically described as making grants "to support the arts," suggesting this is a core priority area.

Relationship Building: As a private foundation, relationships with trustees and their networks matter significantly. Organizations should focus on:

Connecting through shared board members or community leaders
Demonstrating alignment with Henry Davis's known philanthropic interests
Building visibility within Omaha's philanthropic community

Impact and Professionalism: Given the foundation's asset base ($92.6 million) and grant-making history, they likely support established organizations with demonstrated track records and professional operations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Focus on relationship building rather than application preparation.
Arts and Youth Are Priorities: The foundation supports arts organizations while the Davis family shows strong commitment to vulnerable youth programs.
Geographic Reach: Based in Omaha but makes grants nationally, including to major California arts institutions.
Steady Grant Activity: The foundation makes 20-30+ grants annually, indicating active and consistent grant-making.
Relationship-Driven: Connections to foundation leadership, particularly through Henry Davis's extensive board service, may be the primary pathway to funding.
Mission Alignment Critical: Organizations promoting "well-being, safety, and vitality" in communities align with the foundation's stated purpose.
Consider the Omaha Community Foundation: The Davis family has supported charitable giving through this community foundation, which may offer alternative pathways for funding.

References

Research completed: December 23, 2025