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Dorothy B. Davis Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.1M
000

Dorothy B. Davis Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,125,515 (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: $235,597
  • Total Assets: $26.2 million
  • Number of Grants: 26 awards (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota (primarily Nebraska and Iowa)
  • Application Status: Not currently accepting proposals

Contact Details

Website: https://dorothybdavis.org/

Executive Director: Pamela Swisher

  • Full-time position
  • Compensation: $241,908 (2024 fiscal year)

Email: lseemann@dorothybdavis.org (Contact: Lexie Seemann)

Mailing Address: Based in Omaha, Nebraska (registered address in Wilmington, Delaware)

EIN: 47-2493491

Overview

The Dorothy B. Davis Foundation was created by the descendants of Dr. Edwin G. Davis and Dorothy Balbach Davis of Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Edwin Davis was a prominent urologist who served as chairman of the urology department at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine from 1920 to 1953. He married Dorothy Balbach of Omaha in 1921, and they raised three children: Edwin Jr., Neal, and Willa. The foundation was established to honor their legacy and has total assets of approximately $26.2 million as of 2024. The foundation's primary focus areas include children, healthcare, education, research, senior citizens, and military families. The family has deep ties to Warren Buffett, with Dorothy Balbach Davis serving as the catalyst for the family's decision to join Buffett as early investors in 1957. The foundation made a transformational leadership gift to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for the Dr. Edwin G. & Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center for Advanced Interprofessional Learning, a $118.9 million clinical simulation facility that opened in 2020.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not specify particular subject areas of focus on its website or in publicly available materials, but based on historical giving patterns and stated priorities, the foundation supports:

Primary Focus Areas (as documented in connection with major gifts):

  • Children and youth programs
  • Healthcare and medical education
  • Education and research
  • Senior citizens
  • Military families and veterans

Geographic Priorities:

  • Primary focus: Nebraska and Iowa
  • Secondary consideration: National organizations
  • Also funds projects in Colorado and Minnesota

The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in transformational projects in healthcare education, evidenced by their major gift to UNMC's Davis Global Center.

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions are publicly documented. However, the foundation currently does not have a public application process.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

  • Pamela Swisher, Executive Director (full-time, compensated position)

Board of Directors/Trustees (serving without compensation):

  • Lee D. Seemann Jr., President
  • Clint D. Seemann, Vice President

Family Connection: The foundation's leadership includes descendants of Willa Davis Seemann, daughter of Dr. Edwin and Dorothy Davis. Willa and her late husband Lee Seemann (1920-2015) were decorated World War II veterans and quiet philanthropists who donated to universities, hospitals, museums, and other causes throughout Omaha and beyond. Lee Seemann was a highly decorated U.S. Air Force pilot who received the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (twice), Purple Heart, and Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters.

The Seemann family built their fortune as early investors with Warren Buffett starting in the late 1950s and have continued the philanthropic legacy through this foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Dorothy B. Davis Foundation does not currently have a public application process. The foundation's website explicitly states: "The Dorothy B. Davis Foundation is not accepting proposals at this time."

The website advises potential applicants to "check the website periodically as policies and processes will be updated as the foundation evolves."

Based on the foundation's grantmaking pattern (26 awards in 2023, down from 52 awards in 2020), grants appear to be made through trustee discretion and existing relationships rather than through an open application process.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process currently exists.

Success Rates

Given the invitation-only/trustee-discretion model, traditional success rates are not applicable. The foundation made 26 grants in 2023, 18 grants in 2022, 40 grants in 2021, and 52 grants in 2020, showing a declining trend in the number of awards while maintaining substantial total giving.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the current closed application status.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only or trustee-discretion basis, the following factors appear relevant based on their documented giving:

Alignment with Legacy: The foundation honors Dr. Edwin Davis, a pioneering physician and educator who incorporated new technology to enhance learning, and Dorothy Balbach Davis, a homemaker, mother, and community volunteer. Projects that align with their values of innovation in education, healthcare excellence, and community service appear to resonate with the foundation.

Transformational Impact: The foundation's major gift to UNMC demonstrates interest in projects that create lasting, transformational change rather than incremental improvements. The Davis Global Center represents a significant investment in cutting-edge healthcare education technology including holographic theaters and immersive training environments.

Geographic Connection: Strong preference for Nebraska and Iowa projects, with particular emphasis on Omaha-area initiatives. The family's deep roots in Omaha and long history of community involvement suggest local connections matter.

Healthcare and Education Focus: The foundation's documented support shows particular interest in healthcare delivery, medical education, and innovative educational approaches that honor Dr. Davis's legacy as a medical educator and pioneer.

Multi-Generational Benefit: Areas identified in foundation materials include children, healthcare, education, research, senior citizens, and military families - suggesting appreciation for programs that serve multiple generations or vulnerable populations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No current public application process - The foundation is not accepting unsolicited proposals at this time
  • Check website periodically for updates as the foundation evolves its policies and processes
  • Average grant size is substantial at $235,597, suggesting the foundation prefers significant, impactful investments over small grants
  • Geographic focus is clear - Priority given to Nebraska and Iowa, particularly Omaha area
  • Family legacy matters - Understanding the Davis and Seemann family history and values may be relevant if the foundation opens to applications
  • Trustee discretion model - Grants appear to be made through board initiative and existing relationships rather than competitive application processes
  • Declining grant volume - The number of grants has decreased from 52 (2020) to 26 (2023), though total giving remains substantial, suggesting a possible strategic shift toward fewer, larger grants

References

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