Sherwood Foundation

The Sherwood Foundation, directed by Susan "Susie" Buffett (Warren Buffett's eldest child and a former Omaha public school teacher), operates through a social justice and equity lens with a deliberately broad mission: making Nebraska a more equitable place to live, work, learn, and play. Rather than naming rigid priority areas, Sherwood maintains flexibility to address emerging needs across the state. The foundation distributes hundreds of millions annually — $256 million across 830 grants in 2024 alone — making it one of Nebraska's most influential private funders. Sherwood offers three distinct grant types: Operating Grants (unrestricted general support), Program Grants (restricted to specific initiatives), and Capital Grants (construction, renovation, and major equipment). This three-pronged approach allows organizations at different stages to find an appropriate funding mechanism. The foundation's equity-centered strategy prioritizes initiatives serving underserved communities and addressing systemic unmet needs, with particular strength in education, human services, criminal justice reform, reproductive health, and civic engagement.

Sherwood Foundation's giving has grown substantially, from roughly $230 million in expenses in 2020 to $256 million in grants in 2024, reflecting both increased Berkshire Hathaway stock donations and an expanding grantmaking scope. The foundation made 830 grants in 2024, up significantly from 522 in 2023 and 544 in 2022, indicating a strategic shift toward more grants rather than simply larger ones. Grant sizes range enormously from $650 to over $30 million, with a median grant of approximately $75,000. More than half of all grants concentrate in the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas, though rural Nebraska organizations also receive significant support. Major recurring grantees include the University of Nebraska system, Omaha Public Schools, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, and various human services organizations. The foundation's $716 million asset base (primarily Berkshire Hathaway stock) provides a stable and growing funding pipeline. Focus areas by volume include education (early childhood through higher ed), human services (mental health, housing, youth development), criminal justice reform (one of the Midwest's top four funders in this space), reproductive health, civic engagement, and arts/culture.

Among Nebraska's major private foundations, Sherwood stands out for its scale and breadth of giving. Here is how it compares to peer funders in the region:

Sherwood significantly outpaces its Nebraska peers in both total giving and number of grants. While the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (also led by the Buffett family) dwarfs all regional funders, its focus is largely national and international. Sherwood's unique position as the largest Nebraska-focused funder means it holds outsized influence in shaping the state's nonprofit landscape. Its equity lens and willingness to fund criminal justice reform, racial justice, and civic engagement also distinguishes it from more traditional Nebraska foundations.

In 2024-2025, Sherwood Foundation dramatically increased its grantmaking volume, jumping from 522 grants in 2023 to 830 in 2024 — a 59% increase in the number of awards. This expansion signals a strategic move toward broader community impact rather than concentrating funding in fewer, larger grants. The foundation continues deepening its commitment to criminal justice reform, making it one of the four largest funders of this issue area in the Midwest. Growing investments in civic engagement through organizations like Civic Nebraska and Nebraska Appleseed reflect Sherwood's increasing focus on systemic change and democratic participation. The 2026 application cycle opened on schedule with Program and Capital Grants accepting applications February 1-28, 2026. The foundation also continues its longstanding support for reproductive health initiatives in Nebraska, journalism and media organizations supporting local news coverage, and Indigenous community programs including work with the Santee Sioux Nation. Susan Buffett's personal involvement remains strong, and the foundation's asset growth (driven by continued Berkshire Hathaway stock appreciation) positions it to sustain or increase giving levels in coming years.

First-time applicants should email info@sherwoodfoundation.org before starting an application to discuss fit and receive guidance — the foundation actively encourages this and can save you significant time if your project is not aligned with their priorities. Sherwood is described as 'surprisingly accessible' by grantmaking analysts, and this pre-application consultation is a genuine opportunity, not a formality. When applying, use a generic organizational email (not a personal one) to create your portal account, as the foundation requires registration approval before you can access the application. Download the application templates (.docx) from sherwoodfoundation.org/apply/ well before the deadline to prepare your responses offline. Key strategic considerations: (1) Frame your work through an equity lens — Sherwood prioritizes initiatives addressing unmet needs in underserved communities; (2) Demonstrate Nebraska impact clearly, as all funded work must directly benefit Nebraska communities; (3) Choose your grant type carefully — Operating Grants provide unrestricted support (deadline: January-February), while Program and Capital Grants are restricted but may offer larger amounts; (4) Submit well before the deadline to avoid portal congestion; (5) Save your work every 60 minutes in the portal, as unsaved work is lost. Decisions arrive within 90 business days. Do not contact the foundation during the review period asking about status — they explicitly state inquiries during this period will not be addressed.