Dorothy B. Davis Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The filing says the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and gives no steps for becoming preselected, so a cold approach is unlikely to be considered.
- Its stated priority is the Omaha area, and its themes are children, health care, education, research, senior citizens and military families.
- Most of its grants are modest: across its recent filings, half of its 70 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less, and about 8 in 10 fall between $15,000 and $110,000, although its largest grant was $2,500,000.
- In its latest filing, 29% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in an earlier filing, so the foundation is largely relationship-led.
Overview
Dorothy B. Davis Foundation is a US private foundation based in Wilmington, DE.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (unmc.edu), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation’s primary focus is to support children, health care, education, research, senior citizens and military families. It primarily provides funding within the Omaha area. Its filed grants have gone to a varied set of organisations, including schools and scholarship providers, housing and family-support organisations, health-care providers, youth and recreation organisations, community services, and cultural and animal-welfare organisations. General and unrestricted support and general operating support are prominent purposes in the grant record. The public description names broad focus areas but does not specify narrower eligibility criteria.
Themes
- Children
- Health care
- Education
- Research
- Senior citizens
- Military families
Geographic Focus
Priority: Omaha area. (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
The filing indicates that unsolicited requests are not accepted; it gives no steps for organisations to become preselected.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 29% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 70 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 30% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 29% of grant dollars went to organisations Dorothy B. Davis Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 26 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $45,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Avenue Scholars Foundation · General & Unrestricted$200,0002024 tax year
- USA Hockey Foundation · General & Unrestricted$100,0002024 tax year
- Guardian Angels Catholic School · General & Unrestricted$100,0002024 tax year
- Project Harmony-Haven for Abuse Response Members · General & Unrestricted$100,0002024 tax year
- Phoenix Academy Day School · General & Unrestricted$100,0002024 tax year
- Habitat for Humanity International · General & Unrestricted$100,0002024 tax year
- CASA Connection · General & Unrestricted$75,0002024 tax year
- Ronald McDonald House Charities · General & Unrestricted$50,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Pamela Swisher — Executive Director
- Alexis Seemann — Executive Director
- Thomas L Nichols — Director
- Clint D Seemann — VP, Dir
- Lee D Seemann Jr — President, Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,779,233 | $1,218,646 | $86,386,913 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $6,925,022 | $6,125,515 | $95,248,626 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $2,440,258 | $1,400,000 | $114,392,163 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Dorothy B. Davis Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- lseemann@dorothybdavis.org
- Wilmington, DE
- dorothybdavis.org
Applying to Dorothy B. Davis Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- lseemann@dorothybdavis.org
- Wilmington, DE
- dorothybdavis.org