Search Through Financial Assistance Grants in Nebraska in the U.S.

Making community possible

At U.S. Bank, we are dedicated to supporting our communities through responsive and humbled actions focused on addressing racial and economic inequities and creating lasting change in our communities. Through our Community Possible Grant Program, we are partnering with organizations that focus on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing and communities connected through arts and culture.

The U.S. Bank Foundation is committed to making Community Possible through Work, Home and Play. We advance this work through collaborative grant making to bring equitable and lasting change through our focus on sustainable, high-impact funding with 501c3 nonprofit partners.

How we partner with nonprofits

We focus on collaborative grantmaking and sustainable, high-impact funding with 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. We partner with organizations that support:

• Economic and workforce advancement
• Safe and affordable housing
• Community arts and culture

Our strategy

Our community affairs and foundation team work closely with U.S. Bank regional leadership, business resource groups and our National Community Advisory Committee to ensure that prevailing needs are addressed in all the communities we serve.

To make the most meaningful impact, we prioritize organizations that:

• Focus on economic development issues related to work, home and play
• Address more than one of the grant pillars (work, home and play)
• Are based in and serve designated U.S. Bank communities
• Advance diversity, equity and inclusion

Who We Are

The Creag Foundation is a private grant making foundation established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington.

The founders of the Creag Foundation believe that meaningful change can only be achieved through hard work, creativity and passion. They also understand the practical mechanisms that allow charitable organizations to succeed and grow. As a group, Creag Foundation principals are dedicated to helping today’s most innovative programs improve the human condition in a wide variety of ways.

Our Focus

The broad purpose of the Foundation is to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations who are innovators in the field of human services. Our particular focus is on smaller organizations that are starting out or established organizations that are looking for funding to take their organization in a new direction.

What We Fund

/ What We Fund

The Creag Foundation is focused on innovation in the industry. We will consider proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations that are finding new ways to address societal issues facing the nonprofit community. Applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for one year before submitting. If your organization has held 501(c)(3) status for over a year, and your believe that your organization has a new approach to an existing social problem or is addressing a previously unaddressed social issue, you are welcome to contact us and request that we consider your organization for a funding opportunity.

Mission

The DanPaul Foundation will use its resources to help train teachers and parents in early childhood development, protect children from abuse and neglect, stimulate children's personal social responsibilities, and offer them opportunities for enrichment and growth.

The Foundation will also encourage children to be concerned and informed about the environment and the underprivileged, particularly with regard to clean air and water, and adequate housing and nutrition for all.

Beliefs

The DanPaul Foundation believes that children should have ample opportunities for enrichment in their lives, and thus strives to provide many different ways to enrich and expand children's minds through direct programs and monetary support to organizations doing similar work.

We have provided or currently provide grants related to the following program areas:

• Workshops, Conferences, + Seminars: We strive to offer educational workshops, conferences, and seminars for parents and teachers on topics related to early childhood development.
• Student Scholarships: We aim to help students attending post-secondary education institutions by providing need-based and academic scholarships.
• Scientific Endeavors: We desire to advance scientific endeavors which seek to improve the quality of life for everyone in the world.
• Clean Air + Water: We hope to pass on knowledge and practical life skills to youth regarding their personal responsibility to the environment, teaching them about issues surrounding clean air and water.
• Child Advocacy: We believe in protecting children from abuse and neglect and particularly love to support programs that provide education and assistance to children as well as organizations advocating or caring for vulnerable children.
• Homelessness: We want to encourage young people to take a personal interest in seeing that adequate housing and proper nutrition, especially for the underprivileged and homeless, are available.
• Poverty + Neglect: We seek to help those in poverty as well as educate youth about their responsibility to consider the underprivileged and take care of those most in need of life's basic essentials like adequate housing and proper nutrition.
• Refugee Enrichment: We wish to help refugee youth by supporting programs that provide them enrichment and help them transition to life in a new country.

The DanPaul Foundation provides grants to 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organizations as defined by the IRS. The Foundation is interested in providing funding to programs that directly serve the health, education, development, and welfare of the world's youth.

Grants range from a few hundred dollars up to $15,000 per calendar year.

Background

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation seeks to dramatically improve the lives of underserved communities across the globe by supporting scalable, innovative, and impact-first solutions that leverage existing systems and stakeholders. Our goal is to find social entrepreneurs with dynamic products or services that have a proven ability to positively impact the lives of underserved people, and nurture those organizations at the early stages by providing capacity, capital, and community.

Our application process is designed to be open and accessible, and we accept applications year round from across our priority geographies and sectors. Borrowing from our venture capital legacy, we find exceptional entrepreneurs and provide them with: 

Capacity

• The core of DRK’s model is deep and extensive operational and technical support for each portfolio organization, both through dedicated hands-on Board service and specialist capacity-building resources for fundraising, board and organizational development, leadership, financial support, and scaling strategy,

Capital

• DRK provides up to $300,000 USD in either unrestricted grant funding or investment capital over a three-year period, and

Community

• DRK convenes our portfolio and alumni annually, facilitating connections and community. 

What We Fund

DRK Foundation funds early-stage social impact organizations solving the world’s biggest social and environmental problems using bold, scalable approaches.

What stage of growth does DRK Foundation typically fund?

Early stage: Organizations who are early stage, which we define as post-pilot and pre-scale. This typically means: 

• Your program, product or service is already being used in the market or in the field, 
• You have early indication that your model is having its intended impact on the beneficiary populations,
• Your organization is relatively young (ideally between two and five years old, although we will consider both younger and older organizations).

Venture funding: In the case of for profits, we typically support Seed to Series A organizations, and never lead rounds; we also generally but not exclusively refrain from participating in financings exceeding a $15M USD post-money valuation.  

Global Impact Cash Grants

Identifying and incubating innovative early-stage solutions. We identify, incubate, and develop innovative early-stage solutions with the highest potential for impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We're looking for programs that fit within our investment sectors, focus on the underserved, and use technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services.

We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. A brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application. Please expand and carefully review each of the three sections below to learn more

Our priority social impact sectors

We focus on investing in innovative, tech-enabled solutions to the challenges and opportunities that matter most to communities in need, prioritizing four social impact sectors:

Cisco Crisis Response

Mobilizing to provide essentials to communities in need and those in crisis, including food, housing, secure connectivity, and disaster relief

By leveraging Cisco’s people, technology, financial resources, and strategic partnerships, we help strengthen community resilience and drive long-term recovery from crises.

Education

Supporting students, teachers, and schools by increasing engagement, building skills, promoting subject mastery, and expanding their capacity to thrive

Cisco is committed to inclusive access to digital skills training and supporting those who use technology to educate. Through programs like Cisco Networking Academy and social investments in education, we create new opportunities for individuals to thrive.

Economic Empowerment

Transforming communities through skill development, long-term career opportunities, entrepreneurship, and access to financial products and services

Strategic grants that unlock economic prosperity and growth for individuals and communities.

Climate Regeneration

Building an inclusive, regenerative, and resilient climate future through education, regenerative agriculture, conservation, protection, and clean energy solutions

Our efforts began in 2021, when the Cisco Foundation committed US$100 million over 10 years to fund nonprofit grants and impact investing in climate solutions. 

About

Greater Grand Island Community Foundation is a growing legacy, not of a single person, but of the entire community. It is, in a very real sense, the community's foundation. Under one organizational roof, it unites donors, large and small who want to make our community a better place for all.

Like the wind powers a pinwheel the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation powers individual legacies to make communities better places to live, work and play. When you give through the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, making your gift is simple.

Our Mission

Empowering people to turn their passion into purpose by creating legacies that strengthen the future of the communities we serve. 

Our History

E.J. Wolbach passed away in 1959, leaving a bequest in his will to establish a community foundation. The Grand Island Foundation was formed on September 12, 1960, with Helen Connell serving as the first president. In 1985, Richard E. Spelts, Jr. began volunteering his time, talents, and resources to serve as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Spelts recognized the need for a full-time director and hired the Foundation's first paid executive director on May 1, 1997. "Community" has been added to the Foundation's name as it continues to serve Grand Island and the greater Hall County area. In 2020 “Greater” was added to the Foundations name to reflect the wide range of communities in Central Nebraska that we touch.

Harold R. Dunlap Grant

The Harold R. Dunlap Foundation grant program addresses unmet charitable needs and unique program opportunities for essential and emerging issues in Cairo, Nebraska. The Foundation reviews requests throughout the year and awards based on the project and the availability of funds.  It is strongly recommended that before beginning a grant application, you contact the Foundation staff to discuss your organization and the program and/or project for which you are seeking funding.

Grant amounts vary based on the project and availability of funds, but generally do not exceed $10,000. 

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation

We believe every person deserves equitable care and education.

In 2020 Labcorp established a private charitable 501(c)(3) foundation to advance our desire to bring quality healthcare access to all by supporting education and our local communities. 

Common grant opportunities include:

• Supporting food pantries and meal programs
• Providing healthcare and patient services for underserved populations
• Encouraging STEM programming
• Advocating for healthy lifestyles through ongoing medical research and screening

Our Mission: The mission of the Nebraska Arts Council is to promote, cultivate and sustain the arts for the people of Nebraska. In doing so, the Nebraska Arts Council provides grants and services to artists, organizations and communities that:

• Build creative and proactive leadership in the arts
• Forge partnerships that create and expand opportunities for the arts
• Cultivate new resources needed to sustain the arts in Nebraska
• Establish the arts as basic to education and lifelong learning
• Use the arts as a catalyst for understanding among cultures
• Advocate for increased awareness and access to the arts

Presenting Nebraska’s State Poet grants provide financial assistance for Nebraska nonprofit organizations and accredited public or private schools to host events featuring the current Nebraska State Poet, Jewel Rodgers.

The presenting organization is responsible for $50 dollars of the total State Poet’s fee, per contract, per application. The base fee for State Poet readings is $150.00. If workshops are also scheduled, each workshop is $65.00. NAC issues grant payments to the sponsoring organization, not to the artist. Applicants can enter the number of workshops planned, which will automatically determine the total fee and NAC request amount. The State Poet Budget-Contract functions as a contract between the State Poet and the Presenting Organization and should be signed by both parties before uploading to the grant application.

Your organization will be required to attest that its programming and events adhere to local community or county health guidelines, or other public agency health guidelines until such time as the pandemic risk is deemed passed. Presenting organizations that hold performances within a school setting are required to attest that their school-based performances follow the host school’s health guidelines.

Philanthropy is our commitment to communities in which we operate and broader society. We focus our resources on a limited number of key projects that can deliver valuable benefits from our contributions and those of our partners. We give priority to innovative, high-quality projects that meet the following criteria:

• promote sustainable development
• offer an opportunity for Roche to use its expertise and logistics capabilities
• involve Roche actively at an early stage with local authorities and established partners
• engage Roche employees in cultural (focus on contemporary arts), educational and social activities
• managed by an accredited charity

Our four focus areas

Humanitarian and Social

We direct the majority of our philanthropic donations to humanitarian and social development projects.

Science and education

We are dedicated to programmes that promote scientific interest and provide educational opportunities for young people around the world.

Community and Environment

We are committed to building stronger communities and responding to natural disasters sustainably.

Arts and Culture

We support groundbreaking contemporary art, cultural projects and activities that explore the parallels between innovation in art and in science. 

We have strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country that are working to advance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus areas include basic needs like food and housing, workforce development and education, and community development. In addition to our philanthropic investments, we also encourage our employees to make a difference by offering robust employee giving and volunteering programs, including the opportunity to direct funds to organizations they support through volunteer efforts, and a matching gifts program that doubles their individual giving to causes they care about. Last year, we invested $350 million in the communities we serve, and employees contributed more than 1 million volunteer hours and directed $65 million through individual giving and matching gifts to support nonprofits.Through our regional U.S. sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities.Sponsorships supporting communitiesBank of America welcomes your sponsorship proposal for opportunities that make our communities a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in providing support to address needs vital to the health of our communities through a focus on:

• preserving neighborhoods;
• educating the workforce for 21st century jobs;
• addressing critical needs such as hunger and emergency shelter;
• arts and culture;
• the environment; and
• diversity and inclusion programs.

Grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion based on our current funding strategies focused on housing, jobs and hunger. 

Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation collaborate with a wide range of nonprofit organizations that align with our strategic funding priorities. We prioritize our funding to activities and programs that have a broad reach and support the needs of underserved communities. We aspire to have a positive impact on the communities we serve by using our financial and volunteer resources and business expertise in collaboration with community organizations to help solve complex societal problems.

• Financial health
• Housing affordability
• Small business growth
• Sustainability

We may also support other local needs in eligible communities such as disaster relief, arts and culture, civic engagement, education, human and social services, and workforce development. However, opportunities are limited as our intent is to direct the majority of our giving within our major focus areas.

Description of Program

The Nebraska Tourism Commission administers this grant program, per Nebraska Revised Statute 81-3725, to provide innovative tourism grants to communities or organizations that provide tourism and visitor promotion services, host events, or promote attractions which result in either an increased number of nonlocal, in-state visitors or an increased number of both nonlocal, in-state visitors and out-of-state visitors.

Directed-Marketing Projects eligible for funding under this grant cycle include items listed below:

• Develop professional photography content to promote your destination or event to travelers. Need funding to create a photo library to use in print ads or online advertising? Grant funds can be utilized towards service fees of a professional photographer. Applicants are encouraged to develop diverse and inclusive photography, representing individuals of different races/ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities and/or body types. (Lodging and transportation costs are not eligible for grant funding, but they can represent matching funds.)
• Promote your community’s group tour destinations. Grant funds can assist with marketing efforts online and in select group tour magazines, development of group tour websites, as well as registration fees to attend (virtually or in-person) American Bus Association’s Marketplace, National Tour Association’s Travel Exchange, Select Traveler Conference, and Travel Alliance Partner’s TAP Dance. (Lodging, transportation and membership dues are not eligible for grant funding, but can represent matching funds.)
• Attend  ESTO. The US Travel Association’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations is a national forum where destination marketing professionals gain critical tools to grow tourism in their area. Grant funds can assist with registration fees to attend virtually or in-person. (Lodging, transportation and membership dues are not eligible for grant funding, but can represent matching funds.)
• Advertise with Visit Nebraska between May 1, 2026 and April 30, 2027
• Purchase an ad in the Official Nebraska Travel Guide. The guide is the primary advertising response piece for Nebraska Tourism, and a cost-effective way to increase exposure to an audience interested in Nebraska travel. 
• Participate in a Nebraska Tourism Commission sponsored social media blitz. Our ongoing Visit Nebraska Facebook campaign will spread the word to target audiences about what you have to see and do. Work with our social media specialist to select a 3-day date range to launch your promotion, get help creating your content, and sit back while we track the results and report back to you. 

The Directed-Marketing projects above are recommended by the Tourism Commission this grant cycle and will be prioritized over Non-Directed-Marketing promotions in the application-review process.

If your community or organization wishes to participate in additional promotions not listed on the previous page, you can also request funding for non-directed marketing projects this grant cycle. Be creative and innovative, tell us what marketing tools your community, event, destination or region is lacking that will help you attract more visitors. Outline your needs in your application and include how, when, why, and where you plan to implement the tools. 

Working Here Fund Grant

Our grant program has been supporting nonprofit organizations in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming since 2013. Eleven years and more than $13.5 million later, the Working Here Fund grant program now offers greater financial support, sized to meet the needs of both small and large projects.

We offer three funding options through our Working Here Fund program — each with unique requirements to support our rural communities. Our focus areas include ag education, hunger and nutrition and rural disaster relief / essential services.

• Ag Education - Programs that support ag education for students, adults and families to expand their knowledge about agriculture through curriculum, programs, educational events, and other projects.
• Hunger and Nutrition - Initiatives focused on food insecurity that serve an immediate need, provide food rescue or help to break the hunger cycle.
• Rural Disaster Relief / Essential Services - Support in the event of natural disasters, assistance for first responders, or initiatives that impact life-and-death-situations.

Sample Projects

• Up to $5,000 -
  • Community gardens
  • Grain bin rescue equipment
  • 4-H and FFA Chapter projects
  • Food bank and pantry needs
  • Ag classroom curriculum and technology
• Up to $15,000 -
  • Start-up FFA Chapters
  • Essential services facilities/equipment
  • Greenhouses or high tunnel
  • Community ag facilities
• Up to $25,000 - 
  • Capital campaigns
  • Major agriculture or food distribution facility renovations
  • Rural disaster relief large equipment purchases and updates
  • Agricultural educational facility expansion programs
  • New agriculture education initiatives

Funding

We award grants of up to $5,000 each quarter. Twice a year, we award grants of up to $15,000 and up to $25,000. All grants align with our mission to serve agriculture and rural communities.

Typically, an organization is eligible to receive no more than one Working Here Fund grant within a 12-month period and no more than $25,000 since 2020.

What is Nonpoint Source Pollution?

Nonpoint source pollution is also known as "runoff pollution." Nonpoint source pollution is a major contributor to water pollution in the United States and in other countries. Unlike point source pollution, which enters the water from specific locations (such as a discharge pipe from a factory or wastewater facility, an oil or chemical spill) nonpoint source pollution comes from a broader area. Nonpoint source pollutants are picked up and transported during rain and snowmelt events. The rain and/or snowmelts pick up human-made and/or natural pollutants and transport them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, and groundwater.

Nonpoint Source Water Quality Grants (Section 319)

Under Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act, the federal government awards funds to the Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy to provide financial assistance for the prevention and abatement of nonpoint source water pollution. This funding is provided to units of government, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations, for projects that facilitate implementation of the state Nonpoint Source Management Plan.

Small Project Assistance Grants

• Provides a rapid funding mechanism for small projects and captures unique opportunities in imminent need of funding.
• Grant Limit: $15,000
• Non-Federal Match Requirement: 40% of total project cost
• Sponsor Cash Match Requirement: 10% of total project cost (included as part of the non federal match percentage)
• Time Limit: 1 year

What is Nonpoint Source Pollution?

Nonpoint source pollution is also known as "runoff pollution." Nonpoint source pollution is a major contributor to water pollution in the United States and in other countries. Unlike point source pollution, which enters the water from specific locations (such as a discharge pipe from a factory or wastewater facility, an oil or chemical spill) nonpoint source pollution comes from a broader area. Nonpoint source pollutants are picked up and transported during rain and snowmelt events. The rain and/or snowmelts pick up human-made and/or natural pollutants and transport them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, and groundwater.

Nonpoint Source Water Quality Grants (Section 319)

Under Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act, the federal government awards funds to the Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy to provide financial assistance for the prevention and abatement of nonpoint source water pollution. This funding is provided to units of government, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations, for projects that facilitate implementation of the state Nonpoint Source Management Plan.

Watershed-Based Projects

• Supports large-scale projects to restore or protect water quality within a defined watershed or a defined groundwater recharge area. Projects are associated with the implementation of a 9-element watershed management plan or basin plan.
• Grant Limit: $300,000
• Non-Federal Match Requirement: 40% of total project cost
• Sponsor Cash Match Requirement: 10% of total project cost (included as part of the non federal match percentage)
• Time Limit: 3 years

Quarterly HCF Grants

The Hamilton Community Foundation grant program was created to help address unmet and emerging charitable needs in Hamilton County. We use a set of general guidelines to help in the allocation of funds since requests generally exceed the amount of funding available.

The Hamilton Community Foundation is a public foundation which is considered a 501 (c) (3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. This designation allows taxpayers to deduct from their taxable income as a charitable deduction, amounts given to the Hamilton Community Foundation that are within the limitations of the Internal Revenue Code. In this way, contributions to the Hamilton Community Foundation are beneficial to the contributor as well as to the inhabitants of HamiltonCounty, 

Contributions to the Hamilton Community Foundation can be in many forms. Cash is the most common form, but also, securities such as stocks and bonds, life insurance contracts, real estate, or personal property may be contributed. Contributions of appreciated assets can provide substantial tax advantages for the contributor. Contributors should seek competent tax counsel regarding deductibility of contributions.

To receive, administer and disburse funds for such charitable or educational purposes as will, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, make for the mental, moral, intellectual, and physical improvement, assistance and relief of the inhabitants of Hamilton County, Nebraska, regardless of race, color or creed. Effort is made to solicit and support charitable projects and organizations throughout all areas of Hamilton County.

Without limiting or restricting the forgoing paragraph but rather as an enlargement and extension thereof, the Foundation will consider grants for the following purposes:

• For assisting charitable institutions (including educational institutions not operating for profit) whether supported by private donation or by public taxation. 
• For the care of children and care of sick, aged and helpless. 
• For providing facilities for recreation. 
• For the encouragement of sanitation and measures for the prevention or suppression of disease.

The Grants Program of the Kearney Area Community Foundation (KACF) is a means by which not-forprofit charitable organizations may secure financial assistance for programs and/or projects which will enhance the quality of life for all residents of the Kearney area and surrounding communities. KACF is a ‘community’ foundation, in that we collect and administer charitable funds under Section 509(a)(1) of the IRS tax code.

We channel gifts from donors to a variety of nonprofit organizations. KACF serves the Kearney area in three major ways:

• Seeking and soliciting gifts and bequests from individuals, families, corporations, and other not-for-profit organizations.
• Managing assets for preservation of principal, optimum return, and perpetuity of the donor's intentions, and
• Distributing funds through grants. 

Building for Tomorrow 

The Building for Tomorrow Grant typically funds projects or programs in the Kearney area and surrounding communities. 

The Verne P. Jackson and Rose Marie Jackson Charitable Trust was established by Verne P. Jackson under his Last Will and Testament dated 1/9/1992. Mr. Jackson created the trust to benefit those individuals that are physically handicapped. Mr. Jackson’s wife was permanently disabled and the couple were acutely aware of the financial demands confronting the physically handicapped. It was their belief that handicapped individuals can lead productive and rewarding lives if financial assistance was available.

The Trust primarily support organizations located within a 100 mile radius of Omaha, Nebraska that provide financial or other aid and assistance to physically handicapped individuals. Administered by Wells Fargo Bank as trustees, an average of one to two grants are awarded per year through applications that are reviewed at their annual grant meeting.

Awareness. Education. Prevention.  These are three key tenets of Bayer Fund’s investments in health and wellness.  With a focus on cancer and cardiovascular disease, we provide resources to organizations dedicated to educating and/or providing services to patients, caregivers and at-risk populations.

Health & Wellness Grants

Programs that Bayer Fund will support include those that focus on patients and their families needing assistance with issues to managing cardiovascular disease and cancer. This includes education, disease awareness, and supportive services for these diseases. In areas related to cardiovascular disease, priority (though not exclusivity) will be given to charitable organizations that focus on programs and support for the African American community due to the high incidence rate of disease in this population.

Giving in this category will focus on support services such as education, disease awareness, and general access to care (e.g., housing for families traveling for cancer or heart care).

All funding requests and budgets must be for program activities and expenses that start after funding decisions are made. All programs must be completed within one year of the start date, except in limited situations where longer term programs have been agreed upon. Grant award amounts vary, depending on the size of the community, the type of programming, and the reach of the organization.

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

Supporting Historic Sacred Places

A program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Fund for Sacred Places provides financial and technical support for community-serving historic houses of worship across America.

What We Offer

The National Fund for Sacred Places provides matching grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to congregations undertaking significant capital projects at historic houses of worship, along with wraparound services including training, technical assistance, and planning support.

What We’re Looking For

The National Fund for Sacred Places assesses applicant eligibility according to the core criteria shown below, while also striving to build a diverse participant pool that reflects a broad range of geographic, cultural, and religious identities.

Historic, Cultural, or Architectural Significance

We are looking for buildings that have historic, cultural, or architectural significance—and sites that have important and relevant stories to tell. Many of our participants are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the state register, or the local register. Your building does not have to be on one of these lists, but eligibility for one or more of these lists is a good benchmark for National Fund eligibility.

As part of the National Trust’s commitment to telling the full American story, we particularly encourage congregations to apply that illuminate a unique or overlooked aspect of American history and that expand our understanding of our shared national heritage. We encourage submissions related to historic sacred places of importance to historically and contemporaneously underrepresented communities including, but not limited to, women, immigrants, Asian Americans, Black Americans, Latinx Americans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and LGBTQIA communities.

Successful applicants are able to demonstrate their place in history by answering questions such as:

• Does the building tell a story relevant to our history—either cultural or religious?
• Does the history highlight previously underrecognized communities, stories, or locations?
• How has the building served the community over time? Does the building have a great physical presence in its community due to its location or programming?
• Is the building the work of a notable architect? If so, is it a high-quality example of their body of work?
• Is the building an exceptional example of its architectural style or building technology?
• Does the building embody the congregation’s resilience over time?

Community-Serving Congregations

We are looking for congregations that are engaged in their communities and that are serving others. Engaged congregations operate and host programming that serves vulnerable, at-risk, and diverse populations; share space with non-affiliated groups and organizations (often at subsidized rates); work with other congregations, faith-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and/or municipalities; and have a widespread reputation for being a welcoming center of community life.

Project Scope and Need

We fund historic preservation projects addressing urgent repair needs and/or life safety. We also fund projects that increase congregations’ ability to open their buildings to new populations or to serve greater numbers of people. All projects must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which is a universally accepted framework for doing work to older and historic properties.

We prioritize congregations/projects where there is a demonstrated need (meaning that the congregation cannot raise the funds alone) or where it is clear that our grant will have a catalytic effect (meaning that our grant is likely to lead to additional monies being contributed to the project).

Readiness

Once-in-a-generation capital projects require a great deal of planning. We are looking for applicants that understand their buildings’ needs and that are ready to undertake a capital campaign. National Fund congregations typically have a history of successful capital campaigns, which demonstrate an ability to raise significant funds and complete a project.

Successful congregations come to us with a realistic fundraising goal, which has been generated with the help of qualified preservation professionals and is not too far beyond the congregation’s fundraising capacity.

Healthy Congregations

The National Fund prioritizes healthy, stable congregations so that our investment is truly impactful and lasting. We look for the following, although this is not an exhaustive list of characteristics that indicate healthy congregations: tenured, well-respected clergy; capable lay leadership; stable or growing membership; financial strength and stability; support of the judicatory or governing body, if applicable; and a history of weathering any congregational conflict or trauma with resilience.

How and Why Giving Back to Communities is Important to O’Reilly

From O’Reilly Auto Parts’ inception, O’Reilly co-founder C.H. “Chub” O’Reilly instilled the culture of maintaining high standards for every endeavor, including the area of building civic pride. With Chub’s good example to guide them, all four of his children adopted a business and family philosophy of “giving back” to the community as the Company grew and prospered. Supporting a large number of charitable organizations in all communities in which we operate has long been a focal point for O’Reilly Auto Parts. In order to make an even greater impact, the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation was established in 2020.

O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc.

Impact

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation complements O’Reilly Auto Parts’ role as the Friendliest Parts Store in Town. The Foundation serves as an additional conduit to connect with, support, and strengthen the communities in which O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work. The Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of the O’Reilly family as dependable community partners, seeking to support critical services in times of need to build stronger communities.

Mission

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation strives to have a lasting, positive impact in the communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work by supporting organizations and programs which address issues critical to improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals and families. In particular, the Foundation will concentrate its giving in support of organizations and programs addressing economic stability and mobility, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief.

Economic Stability and Mobility

Advocating for and endowing programs which provide assistance with issues including hunger, homelessness, and poverty for the economic betterment of the communities in which we operate.

Workforce Development

Promoting programs which aid in workforce readiness, technical training, and literacy, including children’s literacy, to ensure the continuance of an educated society and a capable, innovative workforce.

Health and Social Services

Championing and prioritizing matters of health, including mental and behavioral health, access to basic needs such as medical and dental care for underprivileged communities, and providing funding for organizations focused on childhood development and children’s advocacy as well as care and support for victims of domestic violence.

Disaster Relief

Providing funding and visibility to organizations specializing in providing relief from natural disasters and state of emergency, including providing temporary shelter, food, water, and hygiene or sanitation products to those affected and aiding in cleanup efforts.

Application Requirements

We will consider three principal types of grants:

Project Support Grants support specific projects or programs aligned with our mission. These requests may include some funds earmarked for the overhead costs associated with running a project.

General Operating Support Grants provide limited general operating support for the core operations or organizations whose missions and activities are aligned with our mission. These grants will often help the grantee build organizational, programmatic, and fundraising capacity. Operating support is not intended to help organizations in fiscal crisis. Applicants must have a current strategic or business plan that clearly outlines the organization’s goals and presents a plan for achieving results. Operating support grants must not exceed 15% of an organization’s total agency budget.

Capital Support Grants provide limited support for capital campaigns to fund the acquisition and construction of facilities, existing property renovation, or the purchase of major equipment. The program has a comprehensive approach to funding capital initiatives, which also includes funding for increased program capacity. A feasibility study may be required for capital initiatives to be considered.

Community Ties Giving Program

As part of the Community Ties Giving Program, Local Grants help us achieve our mission by providing small and medium-sized grants within our priority cause areas to local organizations spread widely across Union Pacific's footprint.

Funding Priorities & Objectives

Throughout its existence, the success of Union Pacific's business has been inextricably linked to the economic and community wellbeing of cities and towns across the nation. We take pride in the role we have played in helping communities thrive and believe the impact we can have on local communities is greatest when it is authentic to our history and reflective of the diverse company we are today.

As such, we have carefully aligned our Local Grants cause areas to our company's unique heritage, strengths, and assets. Specifically, we prioritize funding for direct services and efforts that build the capacity of organizations focused on the following causes within our local operating communities. Within each focus area, we aim to support programs and organizations working to advance the diversity, equity and inclusion of underrepresented populations within the local context and issue areas addressed. Find more information about our commitment to DEI in our FAQs.

Safety

In order for communities to thrive, all residents must feel safe. Just as the safety of our employees and community members is paramount to how we operate, Union Pacific is committed to helping communities prevent and prepare for incidents and emergencies, and helping residents get home safely at the end of each day. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to: 

• Encourage safe behaviors and prevent incidents through education and awareness, particularly projects which focus on rail, driver, bike, and pedestrian safety, and ensure outreach efforts reach underserved populations.
• Eliminate risks and improve safe and equitable access to community spaces through infrastructure improvements, such as signage, proper lighting, and public trail improvements.
• Prepare and equip residents and emergency responders* to effectively respond to incidents and emergencies if or when they occur.
  • *Union Pacific supports publicly funded emergency responders through a variety of corporate programs; only independent nonprofit, 501(c)(3) emergency response organizations, such as volunteer departments, are eligible for funding through this grant program
• Prevent crime and violent incidents and support survivors of domestic violence through efforts that address the root causes of these issues and seek to mitigate their occurrence.
• Build the capacity of safety-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Workforce Development

For more than 160 years, Union Pacific has helped stimulate economic growth in cities and towns throughout the nation by training and providing employment to millions of workers. More than ever, we are committed to helping underrepresented residents in our communities achieve family-supporting careers like those offered by Union Pacific. As such, we prioritize funding for programs that seek to:

• Put youth on the right track by creating awareness of and pathways toward employment opportunities; building foundational skills, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); establishing necessary technical skills and life skills; and providing mentorship and positive role models for the future.
• Raise awareness of, educate and prepare young adults for middle skills jobs like those Union Pacific offers, for instance through community colleges, vocational and career training programs, workforce readiness initiatives, and programs that assist with job placement and/or on-the-job experience.
  • Programs that develop proficiency in areas relevant to Union Pacific operations such as welding, electrical work, machine operations, and civil and electrical engineering are given priority.
• "Up-skill" the existing workforce by providing training and resources that enable them to reach the next level of their career.
  • Programs that develop proficiency in areas of relevance to Union Pacific operations are given priority.
• Resolve barriers to employment such as transportation, childcare, acquiring necessary equipment for work, and second chance employment programs.
• Build the capacity of workforce development-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Community Vitality

Union Pacific Railroad is committed to establishing vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities for employees, customers and residents to work, visit and call home. Just as the railroad opened avenues for economic development and opportunity more than 160 years ago, we maintain this tradition by cultivating unique cultural and recreational experiences and equipping community members with opportunities to live healthy, vital lives. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to:

• Create, sustain or expand artistic and cultural experiences offered to a broad and diverse audience (e.g., museums, theaters, zoos, cultural and local heritage, visual and performing arts, etc.)
• Provide recreational opportunities that foster wellbeing, enrichment and/or an appreciation for our natural environment (e.g., parks, libraries, senior centers, recreation centers, learning centers, etc.).
• Revive neighborhoods and main street areas, especially in historically underinvested neighborhoods, to improve livability, promote commerce and attract more residents, businesses and visitors to town.
• Ensure residents’ basic needs are met and barriers are overcome (e.g., safe shelter and homelessness prevention, hunger relief, mental health and community health needs, etc.).
• Offer youth development and educational opportunities to ensure young people can thrive into healthy and productive community members (e.g., mentoring, leadership development, tutoring, services for youth in foster care, etc.).
• Build the capacity of community vitality-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Environmental Sustainability

The future of our business, communities and planet depends on bold, collective action to reduce and slow the impacts of climate change while building a more sustainable economy for the next generation. Union Pacific is taking deliberate steps to reduce our environmental impact and helping our partners improve their own. Extending this commitment to our community investments, we seek to support leading environmental nonprofits and community-based organizations to advance the health of our environment. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to:

• Preserve and restore nature, including programs focused on natural habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
• Protect and enhance water, soil and air quality through innovative and proactive solutions such as water conservation, carbon sequestration and emission reduction programs.
• Reduce waste through initiatives focused on promoting recycling and circularity throughout the community, including recycling and composting programs and other efforts that reduce waste.
• Develop environmental stewards through youth programs focused on fostering environmental appreciation, responsibility, and leadership.
• Advance a sustainable economy by helping communities accelerate their transition to environmental jobs and renewable energy, as well as helping nonprofits and small businesses build their own capacity to operate more sustainably.
• Promote environmental justice through initiatives that ensure access to clean air, water, and land and protect underserved populations from disproportionate and adverse environmental effects.
• Build the capacity of sustainability-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.

Georgia-Pacific Foundation

Established in 1958, the Georgia-Pacific Foundation sets aside resources to improve life in the communities where we operate. We’ve worked with thousands of outstanding community-based programs, service projects and disaster relief efforts, focusing our investment in four areas we believe make the most impact:

• education
• entrepreneurship
• enrichment of community
• environment

Investment Priorities

• Aligns with GP’s mission and values
• Aligns with GP’s Four Focus Areas of giving: Education, Environment, Enrichment of Community and Entrepreneurship
• Serves communities where GP has manufacturing facilities
• Creates value by contributing to and positively impacting long term well-being and sustainability of GP communities

About

Greater Grand Island Community Foundation is a growing legacy, not of a single person, but of the entire community. It is, in a very real sense, the community's foundation. Under one organizational roof, it unites donors, large and small who want to make our community a better place for all.

Like the wind powers a pinwheel the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation powers individual legacies to make communities better places to live, work and play. When you give through the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, making your gift is simple.

Our Mission

Empowering people to turn their passion into purpose by creating legacies that strengthen the future of the communities we serve. 

Our History

E.J. Wolbach passed away in 1959, leaving a bequest in his will to establish a community foundation. The Grand Island Foundation was formed on September 12, 1960, with Helen Connell serving as the first president. In 1985, Richard E. Spelts, Jr. began volunteering his time, talents, and resources to serve as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Spelts recognized the need for a full-time director and hired the Foundation's first paid executive director on May 1, 1997. "Community" has been added to the Foundation's name as it continues to serve Grand Island and the greater Hall County area. In 2020 “Greater” was added to the Foundations name to reflect the wide range of communities in Central Nebraska that we touch.

Grow Your Impact Grant

Greater Grand Island Community Foundation offers a Capacity Building Grant program designed to strengthen nonprofit organizational effectiveness in the Hall County area. Requests are sought in the fall of each year. Grants will be provided for up to $10,000 as recommended by the Foundation Distribution Committee and approved by the Foundation Board of Trustees.

Grant for the following purposes will be considered:

• Board training and education to strengthen and enhance the organization's governance through training or assistance from an expert in the field.
• A project outline of deliverables is required as part of the application.
• Critical equipment
• Staff training to enhance governance, management, program delivery
• Strategic planning and visioning for the future of the organization
• Technology/software upgrades, networking, websites
• Enable organizations to merge operations and programming to ensure sustainability
• Other assessment, consulting, or facilitation that improves an identified area of organizational capacity