The Foundation

Peter Kiewit

Peter Kiewit was born in 1900 and raised in Omaha and remained a resident citizen his entire life. He attended Mason School and graduated from Central High School in 1918. He attended Dartmouth College for one year, but dropped out to return home and work in the family business when his father died, and never returned to college. Young Peter had worked for his father in the company, which began as a small family-owned bricklaying business, since he was 14 years old. Under his leadership, the company eventually became one of the largest employee-owned businesses in the United States.
a generous philanthropist and community leader
Mr. Kiewit was a generous philanthropist and community leader and was resolute in his opposition to inherited wealth. He believed that there was no better place to live in the United States than Omaha. He also attributed his success to the work ethic of Nebraska and he wanted to return his wealth to their communities.

After thoughtful planning during his lifetime, the bulk of his personal estate was set aside upon his death in 1979 to establish this private independent foundation to support charitable and public-purpose projects in a limited geographic area. The Peter Kiewit Foundation was created entirely from his personal wealth and is not related legally or administratively to the operating companies which still bear Mr. Kiewit’s name. Diamond

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