Acklie Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $14,650,759 (2024)
Total Assets: $158,775,765 (2024)
Decision Time: Contact required for specifics
Grant Range: Varies - from smaller community grants to multi-million dollar major gifts
Geographic Focus: Primarily Lincoln, Nebraska area
Number of Awards: 102 awards (2022)
Application Deadlines: None - rolling basis

Contact Details

Foundation Address:
400 NW 56th Street
Lincoln, NE 68528

Phone: 402-475-9521

Key Contact:
Holly Ostergard, President

Note: Applicants must contact the foundation directly for information about grant opportunities.

Overview

Established in 1989 by Duane W. and Phyllis A. Acklie, the Acklie Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska. With assets totaling approximately $158.8 million and annual giving of $14.7 million, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations primarily in the Lincoln area. Duane Acklie (1931-2019) was a 1955 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law who, along with his wife Phyllis, purchased Crete Carrier Corporation in 1971 and built it into one of the largest privately-owned trucking companies in the nation. The Acklies were honored with a Charity Award for their community leadership and philanthropy, with their giving philosophy rooted in Midwestern values of hard work, humility, and "being involved and giving back" to their community in a holistic sense. The foundation focuses on education (particularly legal education and scholarships for Nebraska students from rural areas), healthcare (especially cancer care and nursing education), youth programs, Protestant churches, and federated giving programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides both general operating and project support with no fixed deadlines - applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Grant sizes vary significantly, from community-level grants to major multi-million dollar commitments to institutions such as universities and hospitals.

Types of Support:

General operating support
Capital projects and building funds
Scholarship programs
Endowments
Program-specific grants

Priority Areas

Education:

Higher education institutions, particularly University of Nebraska system
Scholarship programs for Nebraska residents, especially rural students
Legal education (reflecting Duane Acklie's background as a law school alumnus)
Community college support
Science education facilities

Healthcare:

Hospital capital projects and equipment
Cancer care facilities and programs
Nursing education
Medical research facilities
Community health centers

Youth Programs:

Educational opportunities for young people
Community youth services
Scholarship support for economically disadvantaged students

Religious Organizations:

Protestant churches in the Lincoln area

Federated Giving Programs:

United Way and similar umbrella organizations

Notable Recent Grants

University of Nebraska College of Law: Landmark gift (largest in the college's 132-year history) providing approximately 80 scholarships annually for nine years, plus permanent endowment of the Children's Justice Clinic. Includes 15 full-tuition scholarships for in-state students (approximately $12,600 each) and about 65 half-tuition scholarships, mostly for Nebraska residents.
Bryan Medical Center: Major gift leading to naming of Acklie Tower at Bryan East Campus (part of $47 million renovation with $8 million from donors including the foundation)
Nebraska Wesleyan University: Leading contribution to Duane W. Acklie Hall of Science
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center: Founding benefactor contribution
UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division: Generous gift toward construction
Southeast Community College: Co-funded Learn to Dream Scholarship providing economically disadvantaged students up to two years of tuition and fees
Crete Area Medical Center: Donation to complete walking path

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation's focus is clearly on Lincoln, Nebraska and surrounding areas. Organizations outside this geographic region are unlikely to be funded.

Governance and Leadership

The Acklie Charitable Foundation is led by family members, with no compensation paid to leadership:

Holly Acklie Ostergard - President
Granddaughter of Duane and Phyllis Acklie. She stated about the law school gift: "The education from the College of Law has had a monumental impact on multiple generations of our family."

Phyllis A. Acklie - Secretary
Co-founder of the foundation with her late husband Duane. Continues to direct major philanthropic initiatives.

Tonn Ostergard - Treasurer

Halley Kruse - Vice President
Also a granddaughter of the founders.

Jeff Schumacher - Director

The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation with no paid staff - leadership serves in a voluntary capacity, reflecting the family's commitment to maximizing charitable impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Acklie Charitable Foundation does not have a public online application portal or formal application process documented on a website. Organizations interested in funding must contact the foundation directly:

Contact Method:
Phone: 402-475-9521
Mail: Holly Ostergard, President, 400 NW 56th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68528

Application Schedule:
There are no formal deadlines. The foundation accepts inquiries on a rolling basis.

Types of Support Available:

General operating support
Project support

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly documented and likely vary based on the size and nature of the grant request. Organizations should inquire directly about expected timeframes when making contact.

Success Rates

With 102 awards made in 2022 and total giving of approximately $14.7 million in 2024, the foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. However, specific success rates (applications received vs. awards made) are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy is not publicly documented. Organizations should inquire directly about reapplication procedures and any waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns and the Acklie family's stated philanthropic values, organizations should consider the following factors:

Geographic Alignment

The foundation explicitly focuses on Lincoln, Nebraska and surrounding areas. Strong local connections and community impact are essential.

Mission Alignment with Core Priority Areas

The foundation has demonstrated consistent commitment to:

Education, particularly opportunities for Nebraska residents from rural areas
Healthcare, with emphasis on cancer care, hospital infrastructure, and nursing education
Youth development and scholarship opportunities for economically disadvantaged students
Protestant churches in the local community

Institutional Relationships Matter

The foundation has made particularly large gifts to institutions with which the Acklie family has long-standing relationships:

University of Nebraska (Duane's alma mater, particularly the College of Law)
Bryan Health (both Duane and Phyllis served on the Board of Trustees)
Nebraska Wesleyan University

Emphasis on Nebraska Residents and Rural Communities

The Duane W. Acklie Honor Scholarship Fund specifically prioritizes "Nebraska high school graduates from rural areas," reflecting Duane's background being raised on a farm near Norfolk. This rural focus appears to be a significant priority.

Capital Projects and Endowments

The foundation has supported major capital projects (buildings, towers, facilities) and endowed programs (Children's Justice Clinic, scholarship funds), demonstrating willingness to make transformational gifts rather than only annual operating support.

Values-Based Giving

The Acklie family's approach is rooted in Midwestern values of "hard work and humility" and viewing their community "in the holistic sense." As stated in their Charity Award recognition, they believe in "being involved and giving back" and spreading "love and kindness" throughout the community.

Multi-Generational Impact

Holly Acklie Ostergard's quote about the law school gift emphasizes "multiple generations of our family," suggesting the foundation values programs with long-term, sustained impact across generations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Local ties are essential: The foundation primarily supports Lincoln, Nebraska area organizations. Strong community connections and local impact are critical.
Contact directly: Without a formal application portal, building a relationship through direct contact with Holly Ostergard or foundation leadership is necessary.
Align with core priorities: Education (especially for rural Nebraska students), healthcare, youth programs, and religious organizations are the primary focus areas.
Consider institutional relationships: Organizations with existing connections to the Acklie family or their businesses (like Crete Carrier Corporation) may have an advantage.
Think transformational: The foundation has made major gifts that create lasting impact through buildings, endowments, and multi-year scholarship programs.
Emphasize Nebraska residents: Programs serving Nebraska residents, particularly those from rural areas or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, align well with foundation priorities.
Be patient with the process: Without public deadlines or timelines, the decision process may take time and relationship-building may be necessary.

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Acklie Charitable Foundation 990 Forms. Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/363662965 (Accessed January 2026)
Cause IQ - Acklie Charitable Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/acklie-charitable-foundation,363662965/ (Accessed January 2026)
University of Nebraska Foundation. "Acklie Charitable Foundation Makes Landmark Pledge to University of Nebraska College of Law." Available at: https://nufoundation.org/acklie-charitable-foundation-makes-landmark-pledge-to-university-of-nebraska-college-of-law/ (Accessed January 2026)
Lincoln Journal Star. "Acklies honored with Charity Award for community leadership and philanthropy." Available at: https://journalstar.com/giving/acklies-honored-with-charity-award-for-community-leadership-and-philanthropy/article_9674796f-724e-5321-a896-3450e8782b60.html (Accessed January 2026)
Bryan Health. "Acklie Tower Recognizes Lead Gift to Bryan." Available at: https://www.bryanhealth.com/about-bryan-health/news/2018/acklie-tower-recognizes-lead-gift-to-bryan/ (Accessed January 2026)
GrantStation - Acklie Charitable Foundation. Available at: https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/acklie-charitable-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
Instrumentl - Acklie Charitable Foundation 990 Report. Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/acklie-charitable-foundation (Accessed January 2026)