1990: A foundation is born.
Before the Foundations were established, Walter and Suzanne practiced much of their giving in private — through handshakes, personal relationships and a commitment to projects that were important to them.
In 1990, the Scotts formalized their philanthropic efforts by creating the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation, a public charity and supporting organization of the Omaha Community Foundation. With this new structure, they focused their giving on areas they felt they could make the most impact: education, leadership and community well-being.
1994: Investing in art for all.
The Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation helped fund the completion of the Scott Pavilion in 1994, which connected to the Joslyn Art Museum’s original building. The addition, designed by renowned British architect Norman Foster, added 58,000 square feet to the museum’s footprint, providing temporary exhibition space, as well as a dedicated area for the Joslyn’s extensive postwar and contemporary art collections.
1995: A wild addition to the Omaha Zoo.
As longtime supporters of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Suzanne and Walter were deeply involved in the renovation of the now 71,000-square-foot, 1.2-million-gallon exhibit that is named in their honor. Today, the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium is one of the largest in the world, featuring a 70-foot underwater tunnel that allows visitors to walk amongst sharks, sea turtles and a variety of fish.
If you think about the zoo, it’s entertainment. It’s education. It’s conservation. It’s research. It covers practically everything you can think of in terms of things that are good for our society.
1996: Family foundations take root.
By the mid-1990s, several family foundations had been established by or for each of Walter’s children: Karen, Sandy, Amy and David. Later, Suzanne’s sons, Bill and Bob Singer, also established their own foundations — each with its own focus, but connected by a shared spirit of community investment. The family foundations operate independently, with unique boards of directors and distinct charitable missions, while utilizing a shared administrative staff.
1997: Unprecedented support for education.
The Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation established the Walter Scott, Jr. Scholarship Program to challenge students in STEM fields in Nebraska to develop their technical skills. It would later be renamed Scott Scholars.
Whatever you give goes a lot further and lasts a lot longer if you can teach or help a young person to be a good citizen.
2000: A home for Scott Scholars in Omaha.
Construction of Scott Hall was completed, providing convenient, on-campus housing for students studying at the Peter Kiewit Institute and recipients of the newly established Scott Scholars program. More student housing facilities followed in later years, culminating in Scott Court, Scott Crossing and Scott Village. Walter’s generosity and direct involvement in what was then known as the “Pacific Campus” of the University of Nebraska at Omaha led the college to officially rename the area as Scott Campus.
2013: Groundbreaking support for cancer research.
Prior to the opening of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, UNMC’s cancer research labs were scattered across eight different buildings. As part of the construction of the new center in 2013, the 10-story Suzanne & Walter Scott Cancer Research Tower added a centralized, state-of-the-art facility for cancer research, housing 98 laboratories.
2014: A strategic evolution.
To better align the family’s giving with its long-term goals, Walter created a private trust: the Walter Scott Family Foundation. This shift allowed the Foundation to operate with more flexibility and structure, strengthening its ability to back large-scale, long-term projects and ideas. That same year, the Scott Scholars program expanded to encompass all STEM disciplines and added a new focus on leadership development.
2015: A winning venue for students and the community.
Seeing a need for a new, dedicated facility to host athletics and other events for the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation helped create Baxter Arena, which opened in 2015. Since its inception, the space has hosted community events, commencements, the U.S. Olympic Curling Trials and even a Presidential Address.
2020: On a mission to help veterans.
As part of a pilot program that allowed philanthropists to partner with the government to improve VA health care facilities, Walter helped raise $30 million to fund the completion of the Veterans Association Ambulatory Care Center in Omaha. The project would help serve the more than 40,000 veterans in Nebraska and Iowa, with a new, 160,000-square-foot facility that offered state-of-the-art operating rooms, treatment units with private patient rooms and a radiology suite.
2021: The next generation of giving.
The Next Generation Program began informally in 2017 when Walter Scott encouraged his grandchildren to experience philanthropy firsthand through personal giving. Building on that spirit, the program was formally established in 2021 to cultivate an understanding of philanthropy and leadership among future generations of the Scott and Singer families. By 2022, the program introduced a structured model — including a committee and Junior Advisory Board — to engage participants in meaningful grantmaking and community investment.
2022: A pathway to high-demand careers.
In December 2022, the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation launched the Walter Scott, Jr. Career Pathway Scholarship to honor Walter’s lifelong belief in investing in young people. Established in partnership with Southeast Community College, the program committed $7.6 million over 10 years to support students pursuing two-year degrees in high-demand technical and vocational fields — building a stronger, more sustainable workforce for tomorrow. Today, the program is active at four community colleges in Nebraska.
2023: From badges to bright futures.
Walter earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 14. He found immense value in his experiences, and he often credited Scouting with helping him learn to set goals and work toward them. The NE Eagle Scout Scholarship was established in his honor, with the goal of retaining high achievers in Nebraska (and nearby Iowa counties) by providing funding for postsecondary education.
2025 and beyond: Unifying under one vision.
Though Suzanne and Walter passed in 2013 and 2021, respectively, their impact is still felt throughout the Omaha community and across Nebraska. Today, the Walter Scott Family Foundation (WSFF) serves as the lead entity for the Scott family’s collective philanthropy.
While each family foundation continues its own work, WSFF acts as a unifying force — championing a shared mission while coordinating major initiatives and impact areas. Through strategic investments in scholarships and community initiatives, the Foundation plays a crucial role in empowering the next generation of leaders, fostering innovation and enhancing the quality of life for all Nebraskans.
A legacy that lights the way.
What began as a quiet tradition of generosity has grown into a multi-generational commitment to long-term impact. Guided by the values Walter, Carolyn and Suzanne held close — act with integrity, think long-term and give without needing recognition — the Foundation continues to invest in projects with impact. In 2024 alone, the Scott family’s network of foundations awarded more than $74 million in grants.
As we look to the future, the beliefs held by our founders act as a compass, helping us to shape new partnerships, make bold investments and create lasting change across Nebraska and beyond.