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The Sherwood Foundation

Annual Giving
$256.1M
Grant Range
$10K - $25.1M
Decision Time
3mo

The Sherwood Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $256,149,756 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 90 business days from application deadline
  • Grant Range: Median $75,000 (ranges from small program grants to multi-million dollar awards)
  • Geographic Focus: Nebraska statewide
  • Total Assets: $283-460 million (2023-2024)

Contact Details

Pre-Application Contact: First-time applicants must email info@sherwoodfoundation.org before submitting to determine grant fit and save time on unsuitable applications.

Overview

The Sherwood Foundation was established in 1999 by Susan Alice Buffett, daughter of Warren Buffett, initially funded with $1 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock. The foundation is committed to improving child and family welfare through community investments in public education, human services, and social justice. With assets ranging from $283-460 million and annual giving exceeding $256 million in 2024 (830 grants), Sherwood is one of Nebraska's most significant philanthropic organizations. The foundation promotes equity through a social justice lens, prioritizing initiatives that address unmet needs and underserved communities. In November 2022, the foundation received an additional 300,000 Class B shares in Berkshire Hathaway stock from Warren Buffett, reinforcing its long-term sustainability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Operating Grants - Unrestricted funds supporting broad organizational mission work

  • Annual application cycle: January 1 - February 15
  • Also available by invitation only (notifications by September 2, applications due September 30)
  • Provides flexible funding for day-to-day operations and administrative/overhead costs
  • Note: The foundation does NOT make multi-year operating grants; organizations must reapply annually

Program Grants - Restricted funds for specific programs

  • Application window: February 1-28 (annually)
  • Requires detailed program description, measurable goals, and evaluation plan
  • Next cycle: February 2026

Capital Grants - Funding for land purchase, construction, renovations, or significant equipment

  • Application window: February 1-28 (annually)
  • Must demonstrate connection to organizational mission and community impact
  • Recent examples include $25.1 million for University of Nebraska Foundation's Next Project, $5.6 million for Omaha Central Public Library Project

Renewable Operating Grants - For existing multi-year grantees

  • Notification by August 16

Priority Areas

The foundation organizes its work into four main categories:

1. Urban Community Partnerships

  • Focus on family stability and child wellbeing in Nebraska's metropolitan areas (Omaha/Lincoln)
  • Two-generation approach linking direct service provision with systemic community change
  • Mental health services, particularly for vulnerable youth
  • Services for homeless and housing-insecure Nebraskans

2. Omaha Public Schools

  • Supporting public education improvement initiatives

3. Rural Community Partnerships

  • Community leadership development
  • Building local capacity to serve rural communities
  • Considered on an ongoing basis (rolling)

4. Early Childhood Education

  • Primarily supported through the Buffett Early Childhood Fund
  • Regional and national scope beyond direct Sherwood grants

Cross-Cutting Focus Areas:

  • Reproductive health (ongoing support to Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Reproductive Health Collaborative of Nebraska, Nebraska Abortion and Reproductive Justice Fund)
  • Criminal justice reform (restorative justice, services for formerly incarcerated individuals - one of the top four funders in the Midwest)
  • Civic engagement and local journalism (emerging priority)
  • Human services for low-income and vulnerable populations
  • Economic and community development

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Restrictions:

  • Organizations must be serving Nebraska; funds can only be used for Nebraska-based projects
  • If located outside Nebraska, all grant funds must support work within the state

Values Misalignment:

  • The foundation has strongly held values regarding civil liberties, equality, and fairness, with particular focus on women and people oppressed due to race, sexual orientation, and/or religion or lack thereof
  • Organizations whose values conflict with the foundation's social justice mission should not apply

Other Exclusions:

  • Multi-year operating grants are not provided

Governance and Leadership

Chair and Founder: Susan Alice Buffett, eldest child of Warren Buffett, has led the foundation since its inception in 1999. Susan serves on numerous other nonprofit boards including the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, and ONE.

Staff Leadership:

  • Jerry Bexten - Director of Education Initiatives
  • Emily Mwaja - Director of Capacity Building
  • Shari Lecci - Director of Finance

The foundation operates with a commitment to social justice that reflects Susan Buffett's long-standing dedication to early childhood education and systemic equity.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

First-Time Applicants: Must email info@sherwoodfoundation.org before submitting an application to discuss grant fit and determine if the proposal aligns with foundation priorities. This step helps save organizations time on unsuitable applications.

Application Method: All applications must be submitted online through the foundation's website portal. Hard copy requests are not accepted.

Application Requirements:

  • Organization's EIN/Tax ID number (system auto-populates organizational information)
  • Tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3), OR status as a government entity, school, or church
  • Must be serving Nebraska

Technical Requirements:

  • Use a computer (not mobile devices)
  • Save work every 60 minutes
  • Upload documents as PDFs when possible
  • Avoid special characters (&, @, #) in file names
  • Submit before deadline to avoid portal congestion

Templates Available: Downloadable .docx templates guide applicants through Program, Operating, and Capital grant applications.

Decision Timeline

Standard Timeline: Applicants will be contacted within 90 business days of the application deadline with a funding decision.

Notification Method: Email notification acknowledges application receipt automatically; funding decisions are communicated via email.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In 2024, the foundation made 830 grants; in 2023, 522 grants; in 2022, 544 grants. The total number of applications received is not published.

Reapplication Policy

  • Operating grants must be reapplied for annually (no multi-year commitments)
  • No waiting period restrictions mentioned for unsuccessful applicants
  • Organizations with previous grants should contact the foundation to connect to their existing profile in the system (do not create new profiles)

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Social Justice Values: The foundation explicitly asks that nonprofit leaders respect their values regarding civil liberties, equality, and fairness. Organizations should ensure their mission and approach align with Sherwood's commitment to addressing systemic inequity and supporting oppressed communities.

Two-Generation Approach: For Urban Community Partnership grants, applications should demonstrate understanding of how direct services connect to broader community systems and how programs affect both children and families.

Community Context: The foundation values organizations that consider the larger systems impacting their communities, not just individual service delivery.

Nebraska Focus: All funded work must directly benefit Nebraska communities. Clearly articulate how your project serves the state.

Recent Funding Examples as Models:

  • University of Nebraska Foundation: $25.1 million for capital/construction
  • Buffett Early Childhood Fund: $30.2 million total for operating grants
  • Community Information Trust: $5.6 million for Omaha Central Public Library Project
  • Mental Health Innovation Foundation: $5.1 million for Behavioral Health & Wellness Center
  • Community Alliance Inc: $4.0 million for Center for Mental Health
  • Chicano Awareness Center, POC Collaborative Community Resource Center of Omaha, African Culture Connection, Santee Sioux Nation, Borderless–A Black and Indigenous Collective (funding amounts not specified but demonstrating focus on communities of color and Indigenous populations)

First-Time Applicant Consultation: The foundation's requirement that new applicants email before applying is an opportunity to establish relationship and ensure fit. Use this consultation wisely to understand if your project aligns with current priorities.

Complete and Specific Applications: Provide detailed program information, measurable goals, and clear evaluation plans, particularly for program grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application contact is mandatory for first-time applicants - use this opportunity to build relationship and confirm alignment before investing time in a full application
  • Social justice lens is non-negotiable - if your organization's values don't align with equity, civil liberties, and support for oppressed communities, don't apply
  • Nebraska geographic focus is strict - all funded work must serve Nebraska communities
  • Large grants are possible - while median grant is $75,000, the foundation regularly awards multi-million dollar grants for capital projects and significant initiatives
  • Two-generation thinking strengthens urban partnership applications - demonstrate how your work affects both immediate service delivery and broader community systems
  • Multi-year operating support is not available - plan to reapply annually for operating funds
  • 90-day decision timeline - expect to wait approximately three months from deadline to decision

References

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