Who We Are

Rick was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated with his law degree from the University of Minnesota, summa cum laude. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Rick moved to Omaha and began working his way to owner and CEO of Modern Equipment Company, Inc. He held this position until his passing in June of 2024.

Rick was always active in music, the arts and in education. The foundation was created to continue his support in those areas as well as helping people in need.

Joan spent her early years in Illinois and Texas and moved to Omaha, NE in 1985. She has started up several businesses and held financial positions in other companies as well. Joan enjoys spending time with members of her family and friends. She has multiple interests and has spent much of her life adding to her numerous collections.

 

Mission Statement:

Our organization provides grants to support charitable, educational, and literary initiatives, as well as other vital causes. These grants assist individuals in need within Omaha, Council Bluffs, and surrounding communities across Iowa and Nebraska.

Our Vision:

Our goal is to maximize our impact by supporting as many individuals and organizations as possible annually, within the framework of our mission statement.

What We Fund

  • The Foundation provides Scholarships to students, including but not necessarily limited to high school (including students pursuing high school diplomas in home school settings), college, and graduate school students, to enable Grantees to complete undergraduate or graduate educations or other advanced or specialized educations in the fields of their choice, at the colleges or graduate schools or other advanced or specialized institutions of their choice.

  • The Foundation provides Skill Enhancement Awards to individuals to improve or enhance their literary, artistic, musical, or other similar capacities, skills, or talents, such as to participate in advanced or specialized courses of study, classes, or programs at institutions of their choice.

  • This funding generally includes all forms of financial support, including financial support for housing (such as rent, mortgage payments, and repairs); transportation (such as car loans and travel costs to attend funerals); medical assistance (such as psychological counseling); and, educational expenses that are not scholarships governed by the Foundation’s Scholarship Award Policy for those in the Charitable Class.

  • Disaster relief encompasses natural and civic disasters, and includes, but is not limited to, floods, fires, riots, storms, and similar large-scale events which may impact the Charitable Class.

Foundation Team

Samantha Chaudoin

President

Emily Schlater

Operations Manager

Board Members

Mitchell Schlater

President

Samantha Chaudoin

Secretary

Ryan Burke

Treasurer

 FAQs

  • The Rick and Joan Johnson Foundation supports citizens of the United States who are residents of Nebraska and Iowa. Applicants must also show financial need.

    The Foundation will also make grants to 501(c)(3) public charities to support causes that further the Foundation's tax-exempt purposes.

    The Foundation does not discriminate based on race, age, sex, or religion.

  • For all grants applicants must:

    • Be a U.S. Citizen

    • Have NE or IA residency

    • Live in a household whose entire income falls at or below 225% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

    • Submission of 2025 tax return

    • Not be employed by Modern Equipment Company

    • Not be or have any family member be related to any Board Members or employees of the Foundation

    Additional requirements for Scholarship applicants:

    • Minimum of a 2.5 GPA

    • Submission of one professional reference letter

    Untruths and omissions are grounds for denial of your application in the Foundation’s sole discretion.

  • As of 2026:

    * Households are able to apply for up to $2,000 dollars each calendar year that they are eligible. This can be spread across different entities if needed. For example, the Foundation can pay for different utilities equaling up to $2,000.

    * 501(C)(3)/Other Foundations are able to apply for up to $5,000 per calendar year

  • Everything we do is done through USPS mail. The process, on average, takes a minimum of 6-8 weeks. Interested people or corporations are to fill out the contact form located below. A representative will reach out and send you the application best suited to your needs. The application needs to be filled out thoroughly and submitted for review. A representative will let you know if more information is needed, if it has been approved, or if it has been denied; along with next steps. The Board currently meets monthly to review applications. If the Board approves the application, it takes around three weeks for the remaining paperwork and final checks to be mailed out.

  • The application process takes a minimum of 6-8 weeks, on average, to complete. The Board meets at the end of each month for application approval purposes. If there is a natural disaster, the application process may be expediated.

  • Yes, the applicant’s annual income must be at or lower than 225% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) for their household. A household includes a significant other and any dependents. All income in a household is taken into consideration.

    Annual Income at 225% of Federal Poverty Level (2026)

    • 1 person: $35,910

    • 2 people: $48,690

    • 3 people: $61,470

    • 4 people: $74,250

    • 5 people: $87,030

    • 6 people: $99,810

    • For larger households, add about $8,250 per additional person

  • Applications will be reviewed and may be approved by the Foundation in its sole discretion.

    An applicant may receive funding from the Rick and Joan Johnson Foundation only once per year. Only one grant per household per year. If an application is denied, the applicant may reapply if their situation changes.

  • The Rick and Joan Johnson Foundation provides grants to parties who meet the eligibility requirements outlined above. Actual funding will be made directly to the parties identified during the application process.

  • The Rick and Joan Johnson Foundation will NOT support:

    • Any candidate in a political campaign

    • Attempts to influence legislation

    • Any corporation that is not recognized by the IRS as tax exempt under section 501(C)(3)

    • Foreign organizations

    • Any person who violates the Foundations Conflict of Interest Policy

Contact Us

If you would like to request a grant application or if you have any questions, please fill out the form below.

Please be sure to check your Junk/Spam email as sometimes responses get filtered out.

*** We will be out of the office from 7/16/26 through 7/28/26. We will respond to all inquiries and application requests upon return. Thank you for your patience. ***