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Filkins Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$33.5M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M

Filkins Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $33.5 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $500 - $10,000 (based on available sample grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Nebraska/Iowa region (primarily Omaha area)
  • Total Assets: $137.6 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 9 Westlake Village, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Phone: (712) 366-0382

Note: The foundation operates from a Council Bluffs, Iowa address but is registered in Omaha, Nebraska.

Overview

The Filkins Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in January 1997 with EIN 42-6559796. As of 2024, the foundation holds assets totaling $137.6 million and distributed $33.5 million in charitable grants. The foundation experienced significant growth in 2024, receiving $162.5 million in contributions. The foundation is governed by a board of trustees including John W. Filkins Sr., Nancy Davis, Cathryn Abernathy, Richard J. McMullen (Treasurer), and Linda Shada (Secretary). The foundation focuses primarily on community improvement, with particular interest in aging centers/services, environment, and natural resources. The foundation made 15 grants in 2023, 15 in 2022, and 15 in 2021, showing consistent grantmaking activity. As a private family foundation, it operates on a trustee-discretion basis rather than through open applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees.

Sample Grants:

  • University of Nebraska Foundation: $1,880
  • For Gods Children: $500
  • Eye Tumor Research: $10,000

Based on available data, individual grants typically range from $500 to $10,000, though the foundation's significant asset base suggests capacity for larger awards at trustee discretion.

Priority Areas

  • Community improvement: The foundation's primary classification under NTEE codes
  • Aging centers and services: Support for organizations serving older adults
  • Environment and natural resources: Conservation and environmental protection initiatives
  • Education: Including support for University of Nebraska Foundation
  • Medical research: Including eye tumor research

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available. As a private family foundation, funding decisions are made at trustee discretion.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • John W. Filkins Sr. - Trustee
  • Nancy Davis - Trustee
  • Cathryn Abernathy - Trustee
  • Richard J. McMullen - Treasurer
  • Linda Shada - Secretary

The foundation operates with no paid staff. Trustees serve without compensation, with the exception of minimal historical payments to John C. Filkins ($470 in both 2016 and 2017). The foundation maintains 100% of its expenses directed to charitable disbursements with zero officer compensation in recent years.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic interests and relationships. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals through a formal application portal or published application procedures.

Grants appear to be initiated by trustees rather than through a competitive application process. Organizations interested in potential funding would need to establish a relationship with the foundation's leadership.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish information about decision timelines. Given the private nature of the foundation and trustee-directed grantmaking, decisions are likely made on a rolling basis as opportunities align with trustee interests.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so traditional success rates do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

As a private family foundation without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on the foundation's giving patterns, the following insights may be relevant:

Funding History Analysis:

  • The foundation has demonstrated consistent grantmaking with 15 awards annually in 2021, 2022, and 2023
  • Grant amounts in available samples range from $500 to $10,000, suggesting the foundation may make both smaller community grants and more substantial awards
  • The foundation has supported the University of Nebraska Foundation, indicating ties to Nebraska educational institutions
  • Support for medical research (Eye Tumor Research) shows interest in health-related causes
  • Grants to organizations like "For Gods Children" suggest support for faith-based or child-focused organizations

Geographic Focus:

  • The foundation operates in the Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa metropolitan area
  • Organizations with local connections to this region may be more likely to benefit from the foundation's giving

Trustee Interests:

  • Given the private nature of this foundation, trustee relationships and personal knowledge of organizations appear to drive grantmaking decisions
  • The foundation's focus on community improvement, aging services, and environmental causes reflects trustee priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation operates on a trustee-directed model and does not accept unsolicited proposals
  • Regional focus: The foundation serves the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area
  • Consistent grantmaking: With 15 grants made annually in recent years, the foundation maintains steady charitable activity
  • Significant assets: With $137.6 million in assets and $33.5 million distributed in 2024, the foundation has substantial capacity
  • Focus areas: Community improvement, aging services, environment/natural resources, education, and medical research
  • Relationship-driven: As a private family foundation, grants appear to stem from trustee connections and interests rather than competitive applications
  • Contact directly: Organizations seeking support should contact the foundation at (712) 366-0382 to explore whether there may be alignment with trustee interests

References

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