Suzanne And Walter Scott Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $56,117,915 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Varies; decisions made following Board meetings
Grant Range: $10,000 - $500,000+ (some grants in the millions)
Geographic Focus: Omaha metro area and Nebraska statewide, with some support for causes outside the region in which the Scotts had personal involvement
Number of Awards: 63 grants (2023)

Contact Details

Website: https://walterscottfamilyfdn.org (formerly swscottfoundation.org)

Phone: 402.502.1122

Address: Omaha, NE

Overview

Founded in 1990 by Walter Scott, Jr. and his wife Suzanne Scott (who passed away in 2013), the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation is a supporting organization of the Omaha Community Foundation with over $650 million in assets. The foundation distributes funds for charitable purposes in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education, and social services. Walter Scott, Jr., a civil engineer and influential Omaha businessman, joined The Giving Pledge, committing to give away at least half of his wealth to philanthropy. The foundation's mission is to support the Scotts' vision by investing in education, developing leaders, and advancing communities. In 2023, the foundation received a $52 million contribution from the related Walter Scott Family Foundation, reflecting the interconnected nature of the Scott family philanthropic efforts. The foundation operates primarily by invitation, with most grants offered after discussion with foundation staff to ensure alignment with priorities, though three programs accept applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Omaha Award

Amount: Up to $75,000 annually
Focus: Program or operating support for nonprofits providing direct services addressing food, shelter, health, and clothing/personal care needs in the Omaha metro area
Application Method: Accepts unsolicited applications through September 1 annually; reviewed on ongoing basis

Jack Lewis Safety Fund

Amount: Up to $50,000 per request (average around $15,000)
Focus: Equipment, personal protection gear, training, or facility improvements for police, fire, and EMS agencies
Geographic Scope: Nebraska communities with populations of 5,000 or fewer, plus Harrison, Mills, and Pottawattamie Counties in southwest Iowa
Application Method: Rolling applications through online portal
Priority: Given to requests with committed dollars raised in the local community

Advancing Nebraska Communities

Amount: Up to $250,000 per project
Focus: Capital projects creating or enhancing public gathering spaces including parks, libraries, trails, and community centers
Geographic Scope: Statewide Nebraska
Application Method: Applications accepted through online portal
Priority: Projects demonstrating broad community support, public/private partnership, engagement of the next generation, or innovation to meet community needs

Invitation-Only Grants

Most foundation grants are by invitation only following staff discussion
Support includes major scholarship programs (University of Nebraska at Omaha, Colorado State University, and others), civic and cultural capital projects, youth development (particularly Boy Scouts programs), and community enhancement initiatives

Priority Areas

Education: Merit-based higher education scholarships recognizing excellence, particularly in engineering, construction, IT, and medical careers. Major investment in Scott Scholars programs at University of Nebraska campuses.

Leadership: Youth development through mentoring, education, and character-building programs. Strong emphasis on developing productive citizens and future leaders.

Community: Civic and cultural spaces including parks, museums, arts venues, public attractions, and nonprofit capacity building. Support for projects that make Omaha vibrant and livable.

Health: Healthcare access initiatives and organizations helping people achieve self-sufficiency.

Social Services: Direct services to residents in need, particularly food security, shelter, and personal care items.

What They Don't Fund

Individual support or personal requests
Fundraising events, endowments, or annual campaigns
Government's core responsibilities
K-12 schools (except through specific invitation)
Religious organizations (except faith-based social service providers)
Lobbying or advocacy organizations
Athletic sponsorships
Social or fraternal organizations
Programs conflicting with free enterprise principles

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Greg Abel (Chairman), Mickey Anderson, Mogens Bay (Chair Emeritus), Karen Dixon, Lance Fritz, Sandy Parker, Toby Schropp, Amy Scott, W. David Scott, and Bill Singer.

Leadership Team

Calvin Sisson - President & CEO: Over 30 years of nonprofit and fundraising experience, personally mentored by Walter Scott, Jr. Sisson has stated: "Walter cared deeply about investing in Nebraska's best and brightest students, not because they deserve it, but because they have the greatest potential to give back."

Anne Folkers, MA - Deputy Director

Christi Annin - Chief Financial Officer (CPA)

Laura Miller, Ph.D. - Director of Education (30+ years public education/nonprofit experience)

Sarah Lopez - Director of Grantmaking

Jenni Stoll - Communications Officer

Gary Freeman - Director of Business Operations

Patti Kahre - Executive Assistant

Organizational Values

Ambassador of the foundation
Lifelong learner
Giver, not a taker
Strive to exceed expectations

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For The Omaha Award, Jack Lewis Safety Fund, and Advancing Nebraska Communities: All applications must be submitted through the foundation's online grant portal at walterscottfamilyfdn.org. Email submissions are not accepted. Applicants should create an account, confirm access via email, complete organizational details, upload supporting materials, and submit.

For Invitation-Only Grants: Most foundation grants are by invitation only. Organizations interested in major support should contact foundation staff at grants@swscottfdn.org or 402.502.1122 to discuss potential alignment before submitting a formal application.

Required Documentation:

Organization's mission statement and project description
Problem statement and alignment with foundation priorities
Goals, anticipated impact, and partnership details
IRS determination letter (501(c)(3) status)
Detailed budget, funding timeline, and list of current funders
Organizational audit and most recent tax return
Board of directors list

Timing Recommendation: Applications (especially for large capital projects) should be submitted 12 months in advance of when funds are needed.

Decision Timeline

Funding decisions are typically shared following Board of Directors meetings. The foundation communicates via email throughout the review process, and program officers may request additional information. The foundation makes every effort to notify applicants as soon as possible after review. Applicants receive email confirmation upon submission and should check spam folders for communications.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the foundation made 63 awards totaling over $56 million. Major grants included a $23 million commitment to University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska Medical Center for the Scott Scholars program.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may only submit one request per calendar year across all Scott family foundations. However, separate project requests may be considered by other family foundations managed by the Walter Scott Family Foundation.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Walter Scott Jr.'s Philosophy: Walter Scott, Jr. stated in his Giving Pledge letter that his number one priority is "causes that serve young people," believing "society will get the most bang-for-the-buck if I invest in things that help us produce educated and productive citizens, whether through youth social services or assisting them pursue a college education through scholarships." His second major interest is causes that help improve the community.

Demonstrating Potential for Impact: The foundation seeks organizations and projects with the greatest potential to give back to the community. Calvin Sisson emphasized that Walter Scott invested in students "not because they deserve it, but because they have the greatest potential to give back."

Geographic Connection: Strong preference for Nebraska-based organizations, particularly those serving the Omaha metro area. Organizations should clearly demonstrate how they serve these communities.

Community Support and Partnership: For capital projects (Advancing Nebraska Communities), demonstrate broad community support, public/private partnerships, and engagement of the next generation. Show that others are investing in the project alongside foundation support.

Strategic Alignment: Contact foundation staff before applying for major support to ensure the project aligns with current priorities. The foundation values "philanthropic partnerships with nonprofits that share our core values."

Financial Stability: Organizations should demonstrate good standing with the IRS and sound financial management through audits and tax returns.

Innovation and Excellence: Projects should demonstrate innovation to meet community needs or recognize excellence in achievement, particularly for educational programs.

Direct Service: For social service grants through the Omaha Award, emphasize direct service delivery to people in need rather than indirect or advocacy work.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Most funding is invitation-only: Only three programs accept unsolicited applications (Omaha Award, Jack Lewis Safety Fund, Advancing Nebraska Communities). For other support, contact staff first to discuss alignment.
Plan well ahead: Submit applications 12 months before funds are needed, especially for capital projects. Board meetings happen periodically, and decisions follow those meetings.
Focus on youth and community impact: Walter Scott's core philosophy centers on investing in young people and community improvement. Frame proposals around producing educated, productive citizens and enhancing community vitality.
Demonstrate leverage and partnership: Show that others are investing in your project. For safety fund grants, highlight local dollars already committed. For community projects, demonstrate broad support.
One request per year limit: Organizations can only submit one request per calendar year across all Scott family foundations, so make it count and ensure strong alignment before applying.
Geographic focus matters: Omaha metro area receives priority attention, followed by broader Nebraska. Outside organizations should have clear connections to the Scotts' personal involvement.
Maintain valid contact information and check email: The foundation communicates via email throughout the process. Check spam folders and ensure email addresses are current.

References

Research compiled December 17, 2025