Leland J And Dorothy H Olson Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10,163,879 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Approximately 12-14 weeks (applications close mid-March, notifications by mid-June)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $75,000
• Geographic Focus: Omaha, NE and Stanwood, WA and surrounding communities
• Total Assets: $49.5 million

Contact Details

Website: https://www.olsonfoundation.org

Application Portal: https://www.olsonfoundation.org/apply

Geographic Service Areas:

• Omaha, NE and surrounding communities
• Stanwood, WA and surrounding communities (Snohomish, Skagit, King County)

Overview

Founded in 1992 by Dr. Leland J. Olson and Dorothy H. Olson, the Leland J. and Dorothy H. Olson Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. With assets of approximately $49.5 million, the foundation awarded $10.2 million in grants to 92 organizations in 2023. Originally focused on women's health and University of Nebraska research, the foundation has expanded its mission over two decades to support organizations serving local needs in education, family, health, and environment across two primary geographic regions: Omaha, Nebraska and Stanwood, Washington. The foundation has distributed over $81 million through 965 grants since inception. Led by the founders' children and grandchildren, the board maintains the family's philanthropic legacy while focusing on transformational, high-impact projects that help people lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single annual grant program with awards ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. Grants are one-year awards distributed on a yearly basis, with approximately $5 million available annually (though actual distributions have exceeded this amount in recent years).

Application Method: Online portal with fixed annual deadline (applications close in mid-March, notifications by mid-June)

Priority Areas

The foundation funds projects in four main focus areas:

Education: Projects and initiatives essential to improving the educational process or improving access to education for children and/or adults

• Examples: Kindergarten Readiness Initiative (Stanwood, WA), TeamMates Mentoring Program (Omaha)

Family: Projects and initiatives that strengthen and enhance the lives of children and families

• Examples: Siena Francis House (homelessness services, Omaha), Cocoon House Host Home program (at-risk youth, Snohomish County)

Health: Projects and initiatives essential to strengthening and enhancing segments of the community with significant economic, educational, social, and physical needs

• Examples: Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha

Environment: Programs and initiatives essential to protecting, promoting, and educating the community about the environment and its preservation

• Examples: Little Arrowhead Nature Explore (Camano Island, WA)

The foundation prioritizes:

• Projects serving underserved populations
• Collaborative initiatives involving multiple organizations
• Programs demonstrating sustainability potential
• Reasonable, needed, realistic, and well-planned projects
• Organizations that can provide matching funds (viewed as strengthening the application)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

• General operating expenses (will fund up to 15% administrative costs for specific projects)
• Debt reduction
• Individual grants or scholarships
• Partisan or political activities
• Sectarian and religious organizations benefiting only their own members
• Fraternal organizations
• Private foundations
• Pass-through foundations

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a family board consisting of the founders' children and grandchildren:

• Christian Olson - Chairman & President
• Dr. David Olson - Vice President
• Dr. Karen Olson - Vice President
• Dr. Kendra Swanson - Secretary
• Nancy Olson - Treasurer
• Dr. Lynn Scott - Board Member
• Mitch Swanson - Board Member
• Cat Olson - Board Member

All board members serve without compensation and are committed to continuing the philanthropic legacy established by Dr. Leland J. Olson (1920-deceased) and Dorothy H. Olson. The founders were married in 1943 and raised three children (David, Karen, and Nancy). Dr. Leland Olson graduated from University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1944, practiced as an OB/GYN, and served as Chief of Staff at Methodist Hospital. Dorothy was a nurse who graduated from UNMC in 1943. The couple attended Warren Buffett's investment classes in the 1950s, which contributed to their financial success and ability to establish the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications through an online portal at https://www.olsonfoundation.org/apply. Organizations may apply only once per year, regardless of prior application outcomes.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization
• Project must be implemented in and serve residents of either Omaha, NE and surrounding communities OR Stanwood, WA and surrounding communities
• Organizations can be located outside the immediate area but must serve residents of these communities

Application Resources:

• Grant guidelines available for download on the foundation website
• FAQ page addresses common questions
• No mandatory pre-application site visit required (though the foundation may request a site visit during evaluation)

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: Mid-March (2026 deadline: March 13)
• Notification: Mid-June (June 2026 for current cycle)
• Decision Period: Approximately 12-14 weeks from deadline to notification

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose application statistics such as the number of applications received or acceptance rates. In 2023, 92 grants were awarded totaling $10,163,879.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply for grants annually. However, the foundation notes in its FAQ that if reapplying for a previously denied grant, "the original denial will likely prevail." Organizations can only submit one application per year regardless of the outcome of previous applications.

Important Note: It is the Board's policy not to provide specific feedback on individual grant applications, whether successful or unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's published guidance and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Mission Alignment: Projects must clearly align with one of the four priority areas (education, family, health, environment) and serve residents in the foundation's geographic focus areas.

Collaboration and Matching Funds: The foundation explicitly states that "The Olson Foundation will view a grant project that also generates matching funds as a stronger project than a grant project that does not generate matching funds." Collaborative projects involving multiple organizations are encouraged.

Service to Underserved Populations: Funded examples include organizations serving homeless individuals (Siena Francis House), at-risk youth (Cocoon House), and children in need (Assistance League of Omaha's Operation School Bell). Projects addressing significant economic, educational, social, and physical needs are prioritized.

Project Quality: Applications must demonstrate that projects are "reasonable, needed, realistic, and well planned." The foundation evaluates:

• Feasibility of the proposed project
• Realistic scope and budget
• Clear community need
• Sustainability potential beyond the grant period

Capacity Building: The foundation is open to funding capacity-building initiatives that strengthen organizations' ability to serve their communities.

Arts with a Mission: While not a primary focus area, the foundation will consider arts projects if they have clear educational or community service components.

Administrative Cost Awareness: The foundation will fund up to 15% administrative costs for projects, so budgets should reflect this guideline.

Recent funded projects demonstrate the foundation's commitment to:

• Addressing homelessness and basic needs (Siena Francis House, Saving Grace Perishable Foods Rescue)
• Youth development and mentoring (TeamMates Mentoring Program)
• Access to services and resources (Bike Works providing sliding-scale bicycle access)
• Programs continuing during challenging times (virtual mentoring during COVID-19)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity is critical: Your project must serve residents of Omaha, NE or Stanwood, WA and surrounding communities; this is non-negotiable
• Demonstrate collaboration and leverage: Applications showing matching funds or collaborative partnerships are viewed more favorably
• Focus on underserved populations: Projects addressing significant economic, educational, social, and physical needs align with the foundation's mission
• One shot per year: You can only apply once annually, so ensure your application is complete and compelling before submission
• Don't expect feedback: The board does not provide specific feedback on applications, so learn from funded project examples on their website
• Budget for 15% admin or less: Keep administrative costs at or below 15% of the total project budget
• Sustainability matters: Demonstrate how your project will continue beyond the grant period or have lasting community impact

References

• The Olson Foundation official website. "About." https://www.olsonfoundation.org/about (Accessed January 2026)
• The Olson Foundation official website. "What We Do." https://www.olsonfoundation.org/what-we-do (Accessed January 2026)
• The Olson Foundation official website. "Apply for a Grant." https://www.olsonfoundation.org/apply (Accessed January 2026)
• The Olson Foundation official website. "FAQ." https://www.olsonfoundation.org/faq (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ. "Leland J and Dorothy H Olson Charitable Foundation." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/leland-j-and-dorothy-h-olson-charitable-foundation,470748772/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl. "Leland J And Dorothy H Olson Charitable Foundation | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/leland-j-and-dorothy-h-olson-charitable-fountation (Accessed January 2026)
• Grantable. "LELAND J & DOROTHY H OLSON CHARITABLE | Foundation Profile & Grants." https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/leland-j-dorothy-h-olson-charitable-us-foundation-470748772 (Accessed January 2026)