Search Through Grants for Community Service Projects in Nebraska in the U.S.

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 $5,000. 

About the Foundation

Established in 2022, the Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation is a private foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska. The foundation honors the late Gloria and Roy Dinsdale, executive chairman of Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc. and founder of Pinnacle Bank. The Board of Directors is made up of Roy and Gloria’s three children, Jane Dinsdale Rogers, Chris Dinsdale, and Sid Dinsdale.

Roy Dinsdale was the 3rd generation to live in Palmer, Nebraska. He and Gloria married in 1949 and settled in Palmer. Both Roy and Gloria were influenced by their upbringing in small Nebraska towns, where people help each other and support each other, when there is a need.

This concept of helping each other by giving back drives the Foundation to provide support in the communities Pinnacle Bank, Bank of Colorado and other Dinsdale companies serve.

Mission

The Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation seeks to improve lives by providing food, shelter, clothing, and support for daily living, in addition to providing support for the arts and education.

Focus Areas

The family prefers to support local needs, including organizations, programs and initiatives in rural communities that impact the local economy when possible.

• Persons with Disabilities:
  • Provide support for the daily needs and enrichment of persons with disabilities.
• Healthcare:
  • Improve the health and lives of people, emphasizing access to quality care including specialized services such as hospice care in rural communities.
• Education:
  • Enhance educational opportunities and access for children and adults to local educational facilities embedded in community, specifically in the areas of early childhood education, child care, and junior colleges.
• Arts:
  • Increase access to the arts, enrich lives, and contribute to the creation of vibrant communities.
• Veterans and First Responders:
  • Support the needs of veterans, first responders and their families.

Since its inception, the Foundation, which is still led by Lester T. Sunderland's descendants, has focused on supporting construction projects, awarding grants to nonprofits in the Kansas City region and other markets traditionally served by the Ash Grove Cement Company. 

 The Foundation prefers to make grants for construction and special interest projects rather than for annual operating expenses. 

Grants for planning, design, construction, renovation, repairs and restoration of facilities are considered. Areas of interest include higher education, youth serving agencies, health facilities, community buildings, museums, civic projects and energy efficient affordable housing projects sponsored by qualified tax-exempt organizations. 

Funding Areas

In recent grant cycles, the Board of Trustees has awarded the majority of grants in four broadly defined areas:

Higher Education

In 2022, the Foundation awarded $49 million to more than 35 educational organizations. Grantees included community colleges, private colleges, and public universities.

Human Services

The Foundation awarded $30 million to human service nonprofits in 2022, and many grants in this area went to groups that provide essential services to youth and families. Grantees included a range of youth-focused groups, including Reconciliation Services, the Nebraska Youth Justice Initiative in Omaha, Nebraska and the Sno-Valley Senior Center in Carnation, Washington. 

Arts and Culture

Arts and culture projects received $23 million in 2022, including grants to the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Missouri, the Omaha Zoo and the Seattle Aquarium in Seattle, Washington. Health Care and Hospitals.

Health Care and Hospitals

This is a growing area of need in many communities the Foundation serves. In 2022, $65 million was awarded to hospitals and health-care groups to build and improve their facilities.

Weitz Family Foundation

Since then over $50 million in awards have been granted to housing, arts, education and health organizations in Omaha, Nebraska.

We work with grassroots agencies and large institutions who demonstrate vision, integrity, creativity and passion. We appreciate the use of servant leaders, so those we work with will use practices that enrich the lives of individuals, build better organizations and create a more just and caring world.

The Weitz Family Foundation seeks to break the cycle of poverty in Omaha, NE by empowering individuals, agencies, and organizations to create a more equitable and peaceful society.

The foundation seeks to identify and address the institutional and systemic injustices and gaps which fuel poverty. We seek new ideas and innovations in social change to address the core issues.

Capacity Building Grants

Innovation and big ideas are crucial for change-making and often require an infusion of funds to build the infrastructure of an organization, project, or program. We use larger grant amounts to support those organizations that can leverage these dollars into future abundance. Capacity Building proposals start at $21,000. These applications are more in-depth and require an established grantee relationship with the foundation.

Areas of Interest

The Fund supports a broad range of activities benefiting the people of Lincoln, Nebraska, including but not limited to the Areas of Interest described below. We are interested in reviewing plans for pilot projects and innovative programs, as well as requests for operational support and sustained growth for organizations whose work coincides with the purposes of the foundation. The foundation funds both direct services and policy programs.

WCF especially looks forward to opportunities to review proposals joining partners (academic, community, government, business, public service, faith-based) to explore ways to integrate perspectives and talents toward common goals. We support projects that involve coalition-building, public education and advocacy to effect positive social change and improve opportunities for all citizens.

Arts & Culture

Visual art, literature, dance, theater, music and mixed media presentations are cornerstones of a community’s aesthetic and ethical being. They can bind people through shared experience and understanding. They stimulate thought, communication and creativity. Woods supports programs in the arts and humanities that will enhance or develop the common aesthetic spirit.

Programs that connect the arts and humanities with nontraditional participants are of special interest to the Fund.

Civic & Community

To sustain or increase its vitality, a community must consistently nurture its development, particularly as that development impacts underrepresented residents. The Fund supports projects that empower those with fewer advantages to participate in the economic system and that foster community participation and responsibility, thus engaging people to solve problems and improve opportunities for all. Advocacy groups, neighborhood, legal, volunteer and community organizations are effective avenues to promote civic participation and leadership. Woods recognizes the growing need in Lincoln for affordable housing and supports programs that expand its availability.

The need for individuals to achieve self-sufficiency has been identified as a primary community concern. The Fund encourages submission of proposals that suggest creative approaches to helping people escape poverty and become work ready.

Education

Our educational systems face the challenge of preparing individuals for a rapidly changing society. Today, more than ever before, education touches the lives of people of all ages – students at all levels, newcomers learning a second language and culture, adults retraining to handle new job responsibilities. The Fund looks forward to opportunities to review proposals from existing educational institutions and from creative new programs to meet the challenge.

Human Services

A significant cornerstone in community life is the family. Its power to mold and develop mentally healthy, secure, loving members determines Woods’ interest in supporting projects to strengthen families and provide opportunities for youth to achieve their full potential. This is a broad category and may include either direct service or policy programs focused on child care, behavioral and mental health, youth development, the elderly, family planning, shelter and basic needs, those returning to society after incarceration as well as others.

The Fund will give special consideration to programs and initiatives designed to prevent youth and family violence.

The Fund gives special consideration to programs and initiatives designed to:

• Support organizations that haven’t traditionally served refugees and immigrants but are trying to integrate them into their client bases and work forces;
• Expand English language education for New Americans;
• Help develop community acceptance and appreciation for New Americans; and
• Extend research and planning concerning immigrants and refugees in Lincoln.

Please refer to additional Funding Considerations here.

Timetable

Woods Charitable Fund only accepts applications from non-profit organizations serving Lincoln, Nebraska, that have completed a Letter of Intent (LOI) available in PDF and Word formats, and been invited to apply. Organizations seeking to renew previous grants also are required to contact the Fund before reapplying.

Nonprofits new to the Fund are urged to reach out several weeks before the LOI deadline to provide ample time for learning about each other’s work. Please inquire early; last-minute inquiries on the deadline date are less likely to be invited to apply.

The application must be submitted online before the end of the deadline day or, if the deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline will defer to the following business day.

Our Mission

The mission of Humanities Nebraska is to help Nebraskans explore what connects us and makes us human.

Our VisionNebraskans possess the knowledge, understanding, and empathy to cultivate a more informed, thoughtful, and just society.  Our guiding principles: 

• We believe that culture and connection are essential rights of human expression.
• We value conversation that respects difference and finds points of common experience.
• We provide inclusive opportunities to learn from the past to enrich our future.
• We expose people to other worlds of expression and human existence.
• We celebrate shared histories and diverse cultures.
• We develop engaging experiences for all Nebraskans.
• We are flexible and responsive to the changing and pressing needs of Nebraskans.
• We foster lives of purpose and meaning.

Special consideration may be given to projects that reach across Nebraska or that target underserved audiences (due to geography or socioeconomic status).

Starting summer 2023, Humanities Nebraska grant reviewers will prioritize projects that meet a “connections” theme, linking the humanities and other disciplines, connecting the humanities with other activities, or bringing together a humanities organization and a nontraditional project partner or underserved audience.

Our Mission

The Nebraska Environmental Trust is established to conserve, enhance and restore the natural environments of Nebraska. A prosperous future requires a sound natural environment. We must act dynamically, progressively and systematically to ensure bountiful and thriving natural resources.

The Trust is to complement existing activities, stimulate private investment and emphasize long term gain. The Trust is to lead in the development of a vision of Nebraska's future environment. The Trust is to collaborate with public and private efforts to achieve that vision.

Nebraska Environmental Trust Grants

The Trust will fund projects that fall under funding categories adopted by the board, and that meet eligibility criteria defined by the State Unicameral. The Trust sets funding category areas for five-year periods, in a process involving members of the Nebraska public and conservation communities.

Funding Categories

Any project or portion of a project funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust must achieve one or more of the following Trust categories. These category areas are equally important.

• Habitat: actions to preserve or restore native habitats and areas critical to at-risk, rare or endangered species; other preservation actions for at-risk, rare or endangered species including actions to understand ecosystem relationships which inform sound management; community habitat enhancement emphasizing native and ecologically appropriate plantings which provide food and shelter for wildlife; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.
• Surface and Ground Water: actions to preserve or restore lakes, waterways and ground water from degradation or depletion; actions to research, design or foster best management practices; actions to conserve water and/or efficiently and effectively manage water use; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.
• Waste Management: actions promoting and implementing source reduction, waste management or toxicity reduction; actions promoting and implementing the development of recycling markets; actions promoting and implementing reuse and other disposal diversion actions; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.
• Air Quality: actions promoting and implementing clean air strategies; including greenhouse gas reductions; actions to research, design or foster best management strategies; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.
• Soil Management: actions and strategies to preserve, conserve and restore soil health; actions to research, design or foster the implementation and management of these strategies; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.

Karl Hershey Nelson and Wealtha Harding were natives of Nebraska City and lifelong residents. They both graduated from Nebraska City High School and from the University of Nebraska. After returning to their hometown, they married and settled down to raise a family. Mr. Nelson worked for many years for Otoe Food Products Co. (later Morton House Kitchens), eventually becoming its president. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nelson loved their hometown and supported its growth and development while they were alive. Before her death in 1998, Mrs. Nelson established this foundation to continue their support into the future

Statement of Aims and Purposes

The Nelson Family Foundation is now reviewing its future direction. This direction will generally be guided by three factors:

• The charitable activities which the Foundation has supported heretofore.
• The primary charitable interests of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Nelson, whose generosity established the Foundation and its basic pattern of giving.
• The future plans and needs of those charitable organizations that have received support in the past as well as new organizations that can demonstrate a specific need within the five general categories of charitable endeavor described below.

Basic Objectives of the Nelson Family Foundation

The purpose of the Nelson Family Foundation is to provide financial support for worthy projects in the Nebraska City area. The Board of Trustees has identified five broad categories of charitable endeavor that Mr. and Mrs. Nelson supported in the past and should provide the focus for its giving in the future. These categories are as follows (not in priority order):

Health Care

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were deeply concerned about the health care facilities in the Nebraska City area. They encouraged continuing improvements in these facilities, to keep abreast of medical progress and to enhance the quality of life in the community. The Foundation Trustees will continue this support, especially to those organizations that can deliver effective health care services at an affordable cost. Organizations that have been supported in the past include St. Mary's Hospital, the Nebraska City Community Healthcare Foundation, and the Nebraska City Rescue Service.

Historical Preservation

Nebraska City is rich in history, playing a key role in the development of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were proud of this history and wanted to preserve as much of it as possible. The Nelson-Taylor-Wessel house is a good example of their strong personal commitment to historical preservation. Other organizations that have received support include the Nebraska City Historical Society, the Historic Depot, and the Kregel Windmill Foundation. The Foundation Trustees intend to continue this support of worthy projects to maintain and restore Nebraska City's rich heritage.

Education

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson viewed education as a key to the future growth and development of the area. They supported a wide variety of educational institutions in the past, from the Nebraska City High School Alumni Association to Peru State College and the University of Nebraska. The Board of Trustees of the Nelson Foundation plans on furthering this support by funding special projects that will enhance the educational opportunities for students, teachers, and institutions.

Fine Arts

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson felt a deep appreciation for the fine arts, which they recognized as an essential ingredient in a healthy, well-rounded community. Mrs. Nelson, in fact, became one of the original trustees of the Museum of Nebraska Art. With such projects as the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Wildwood Center, and the Morton James Library Foundation, the Foundation Trustees have supported and will continue to support programs and activities for the fine arts.

Community Development

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were proud of their community and were always willing to back projects, large or small, that would meet a special need in it. They generously supported improvements in parks, tourist facilities, and other aspects of life in Nebraska City and its surrounding area. The Nelson Foundation has funded projects involving the National Arbor Day Foundation, Nuckolls Square, and the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, and intends to maintain its support for worthy proposals in this category.

Our roots run deep.

The Ash Grove Charitable Foundation makes grants annually to support the work of public charities with tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code in the geographical markets that we serve.

As one of the largest cement companies in the United States and one of the oldest still in operation, Ash Grove plays an important part in the foundation and infrastructure of our country. And with plants from coast to coast, being a good neighbor in the communities in which we live and serve is a priority and part of our DNA.

Ash Grove territory is a lot of ground to cover. We believe in active participation to improve the existing and future quality of life in the communities we serve. This participation includes financial support to charitable activities. We aren’t just focused on building highways and buildings – we are also helping to build better communities.

Ash Grove is one of the largest cement companies in the United States and one of the oldest still in operation. Ash Grove plays a part in the foundation and infrastructure of our country. With plants from coast to coast, being a good neighbor in the communities we live and serve is a priority and part of our DNA.

The Ash Grove Charitable Foundation mission is to support communities today without compromising future needs, where nature is respected, minds challenged, opportunities created, and neighbors gather in the community. We stand together to build better communities. Communities that thrive today and for future generations.

Funding Priorities

The Foundation awards grants to charitable, educational, and scientific organizations, which are public charities.

The Foundation gives primary consideration to capital building and renovation projects for the following funding priorities:

• Nature – Protect or Preserve.
• Education – STEM
• Economic – Trade Skills
• Civic – Gather in Community
• Human Services – Shelter

Funding

The Foundation’s goal is to provide significant support to public charities for capital building and renovation projects. Grants for these projects generally are limited to $25,000. Consideration is also given to program grant requests. Grants for these projects are generally limited to $5,000.

Keno Grant Background

In accordance with Nebraska Revised Statute 9-629, City of Fremont Keno proceeds are used solely for Community Betterment purposes, awarding of prizes, taxes and expenses. The City of Fremont Keno funds raised through charitable gaming are budgeted towards tax relief for our community. Additionally, a portion of Keno Fund proceeds are budgeted for Keno Grants to assist with projects, programs and services designed to support Community Betterment in Fremont, Nebraska.

Based on this purpose, and the recognition that there are limited dollars and many outstanding projects, the following guidelines are intended to assist organizations in recognizing their eligibility for the fund and the types of requests preferred by the committee. 

The Keno Grant has been established to support the betterment of Fremont, Nebraska. Applicant programs or services must be open to all Fremont residents and demonstrate a strong need and positive impact on current and future residents.

McCook Community Foundation Fund

The McCook Community Foundation Fund is working to make McCook and Southwest Nebraska an even better place to call home. Since its formation in 2001, the Fund has granted nearly $1 million to community organizations. The grants have benefitted McCook and the surrounding area in many ways, from youth programs to services for the elderly, from education and cultural activities to large and small community projects.

From the beginning, our grants have continued to reflect our focus on people. MCFF has helped young people with scholarships, funded leadership opportunities and promoted healthy families. Additionally, MCFF has developed a focus on arts and culture through programs with the McCook Arts Council, thanks to the generosity during the Sehnert Challenge.

MCFF has taken on additional roles in the community, leading sessions with organizations for their mission, vision and values; restarting the McCook Philanthropy Council with a focus on gift planning; and participating in many community discussions about the future of the community.

Vision

Making McCook an even better place to call home

Mission

MCFF is connecting and impacting our community through intentional investment of time and financial resources.

Values

• Stewardship - MCFF will wisely use all of its resources, believing in honesty, integrity, confidentiality.
• Respectful - MCFF values people and will work to be inclusive and accepting, making sure both growing up and growing old are priorities.
• Grit - MCFF will support those who are resilient, passionate, resourceful, and courageous.
• Collaboration - MCFF will connect organizations, individuals and programs to benefit the community, weaving partnerships and relationships along the way.
• Leadership - MCFF invests resources in people who take the initiative to help others, who are optimistic and innovative.
• Posterity - MCFF will strive to provide for generations to come and to secure the future of McCook and Southwest Nebraska.

Community Grants

The McCook Community Foundation Fund invests in innovation, economic and educational opportunities, quality community leadership, cultural arts and healthy families and lifestyles. Organizations that work in these areas are encouraged to apply for a Community Grant. McCook Community Foundation Fund will place priority on projects that will have a broad impact on the quality of life for a significant number of people, propose creative ways to address community needs, engage young people in the community, or support innovative approaches to economic development.

Oregon Trail Community Foundation

The Oregon Trail Community Foundation is a benevolent community trust organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska for the benefit of the citizens of western Nebraska and Goshen and Platte Counties in eastern Wyoming.

The Oregon Trail Community Foundation is dedicated to supporting projects that improve education, our schools, wildlife preservation, historical landmarks, the arts, healthcare and scientific research.

The Foundation offers grants, scholarships and other services to organizations and individuals through funds provided by donations, memberships, bequests, trusts and other financial vehicles.  The Oregon Trail Community Foundation helps you contribute to the betterment of your community.

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.

Doniphan Community Foundation Grant

The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation grant program is designed to help address unmet charitable needs and unique program opportunities for essential and emerging issues in the Hall County area.

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

GreenState Foundation

The GreenState Foundation of the GreenState Credit Union was founded to further invest in our communities in the areas of Financial Education, Housing and Children’s Health. We feel passionately about these causes and know that each of them will give all of us a brighter, more secure, future. Whether it’s educating our community to make informed financial decisions, affording a home to build equity and participate in the American Dream, or improving the mental and physical health of our youth, our Foundation is actively changing lives,

GreenState Credit Union's mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. We give back by volunteering time and donating funds to support local organizations and charities that allow our communities to thrive. GreenState is proud to support a variety of events and programs. Our committee meets monthly to evaluate applications and determine funding based on eligibility and compliance within our donation guidelines.

Our primary areas of focus are:

• Financial Education & Economic Empowerment
• Children's Health
• Affordable Housing & Homeownership
• Underserved Communities

GreenState Credit Union Donations

The GreenState Foundation is accepting grant requests for projects or programming that directly support the following three areas of philanthropy:

Financial Education & Economic Empowerment

Education around finance encourages fiscally responsible behavior. We pursue equitable projects and programs that help possess the skills, experience, and knowledge to make informed decisions.

Children's Health

Our children are our future, and we seek out organizations that provide direct or supportive services for their mental and physical health needs.

Affordable Housing & Homeownership

We believe a stable home is the foundation for everything in life. Being able to afford a safe place to live is a key part of the American dream of opportunity.

Funding must be used to support communities within our geographic footprint. Currently, our funding is available in the following geographic regions:

• Iowa - Des Moines, Grinnell, Fort Dodge, Cedar Valley, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Quad Cities & surrounding metros
• Illinois - Quad Cities, Rockford, Freeport, Suburban Chicago
• Nebraska - Omaha

What We Do

Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization serving charitable people and worthy causes in North Platte region. We help charitable people support favorite causes and leave lasting legacies. We help nonprofit organizations accomplish their mission and goals.

Betterment Grants

Betterment Grants are awarded to projects that benefit people and qualified nonprofit organizations in our Service Area.

Types of projects that receive Betterment Grants include:

• facility improvements,
• equipment,
• technology,
• vehicles,
• repairs,
• community events,
• safety,
• new services,
• training,
• community facilities,
• data systems,
• community disasters,
• beautification,
• shelter,
• new programs,
• assessments and planning.

A grant application typically is strengthened by evidence of project funding from other sources.

Grant award amounts vary from project to project. Grant awards last year ranged from $500 to $35,000. Not all grant applications receive a grant award and grant awards may vary from requested amounts. Betterment Grants are funded from Unrestricted Betterment Grant Funds and from Field of Interest Funds at the Community Foundation. 

Veridian Credit Union has partnered with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa to provide the Veridian Credit Union’s Nonprofit Partnership Grants. Grants are made possible by the Veridian Credit Union Fund of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. This fund provides general operating support grants to nonprofit organizations whose work plays a vital role in enriching communities in Veridian Credit Union’s service area in Iowa and Nebraska.

Grants

The Veridian Credit Union’s Nonprofit Partnership Grants are general operating grants of up to $5,000, and are made available to nonprofits that are strengthening communities by helping individuals become more financially stable.

The purpose of these grants is to provide support to nonprofits whose work is primarily focused on addressing barriers to financial stability by educating individuals in financial literacy or employment readiness.

Grants are not for projects or programs, but are for organizations that are fully engaged in work centered around financial literacy or employment readiness. If an agency leads a variety of programs, then financial literacy or employment readiness needs to be a key component throughout its programming. Please note that general mentoring programs for youth are not considered as addressing barriers to financial stability.

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

Our Mission

To provide financial support for non-profit organizations located in communities where NEBCO and its affiliated companies have operations.

Funding Priorities

Education : At the Abel Foundation, we place a strong emphasis on education, from early childhood to post-secondary education. We support the improvement of teaching and learning of all types in our community.

Human Services : We support human services programs in our community.

Civic/Community : We provide support for projects that enhance the community as a whole. Special emphasis is placed on "brick and mortar" project requests.

Arts & Culture : We support arts and humanities programs that will enhance the community though education, performance and creativity.

Environment : We support conservation efforts which preserve the natural environments required by our native species to survive.

The Mission of the Washington County Community Foundation

Improve the quality of life in our County by building permanent endowments and providing philanthropic leadership that enables donors to make lasting investments in our communities.

Vision Statement

We believe that the character of a community grows out of the activities and missions of its nonprofit institutions, including education, fine arts, parks and recreation, health and welfare, historical preservation, youth activities, and other facets of community life.

Our History

• It’s about generosity. The Washington County Community Foundation began in 1998 to help donors make their generosity go further. It provided the means to make tax-deductible contributions toward charitable causes throughout Washington County.
• It’s about creating a culture. The Foundation was also established to promote awareness of local charitable organizations and to educate the public on the real benefits of charitable giving.
• It’s about good works. Our Community Grant Program began in 2001. Unrestricted gifts to the Foundation were pooled to provide grants to local organizations through an application and review process. This program continues yet today, providing tens of thousands of dollars annually for local charitable projects.
• It’s about a legacy of giving. In 2003 the Foundation received its first estate gift. This became the initial seed for our Endowment Fund, whose earnings will benefit the community for decades to come.
• It’s about collaboration. Donors have chosen the Foundation to establish designated funds to benefit their charitable interests. Such funds include scholarships, the Blair Public Library, Veterans Tribute Plaza, Black Elk-Neihardt Park, memorial funds, and numerous others.
• It’s about community involvement. Local corporations have used the Foundation for their charitable giving. The Foundation partners with them to make employees aware of charitable opportunities and distributes the funds raised to designated organizations.

Our Goal

• It’s about doing more. In 2011 the Foundation adopted a strategic plan to expand its role in local charitable giving.
• It’s about sustainability. The focus is to grow our Endowment Fund to a point where its earnings will provide $1 million each year to benefit charitable projects that enhance the quality of life in our local communities. As a result of this plan, the Foundation hired a Director of Development to advance its goals through donor recruitment, public education, and outreach activities.
• It’s about creating a vision. Achieving our goals will enable the Foundation to take the lead in donating to major projects as well as growing our Community Grants to benefit even more organizations.
• It’s about planting the seeds of giving. These endowment funds will come primarily from legacy (planned or estate) gifts. We urge donors to consider designating a portion of their estates to the Foundation as a way to give back to their community for generations to come.

Why We Do This

• It’s about quality of life. We firmly believe that the special quality of life we enjoy in Washington County, Nebraska, is the direct result of non-profit, charitable organizations. They shape the character of our communities. They make us who we are.
• The arts, education, local history, health care, wildlife preservation, youth development, feeding the poor, parks, community safety — these causes and more are served by our local charities. And that is who the Foundation serves.

We believe that together, we are stronger and when we live and act through support, we can create a culture of generosity and love. 

Since 2015, the Immanuel Vision Foundation has provided financial support to nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations whose missions align with our own. More specifically, those that:

“Meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of seniors, respond to needs in community health and support the ministry of the Church.”

The Immanuel Vision Foundation seeks to support organizations that:

• Demonstrate strong leadership, financial stability and consistent planning.
• Implement innovation and catalytic opportunity.
• Clearly define objectives and strategic plans.
• Have developed additional, reliable sources of funding for the project requested.

Special consideration will be given to the following priority areas:

Seniors - The Immanuel Vision Foundation supports programs and initiatives that embody Immanuel's vision that "All people will grow and age with dignity, safety, and wellness." Immanuel's expertise in the health and well-being of seniors, identified as the post-65 age population, makes this a particular priority area for IVF funding.

Community Health - Community Health, as envisioned by the Immanuel Vision Foundation, pertains to targeted initiatives to optimize the health and well-being of individuals and families residing in our communities. It revolves around proactive measures, interventions, and partnerships that tackle specific health issues while nurturing a culture of wellness. Our approach encompasses a spectrum of programs and services designed to prevent and address health challenges, fostering physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness, all within the framework of our commitment to supporting our community's vitality. While we recognize the interconnectedness of social determinants, our primary focus is on strategic efforts addressing pressing health concerns, ensuring our communities can thrive in optimal health.

The Church - Grants in this area support qualifying ELCA congregations that reflect a commitment to faith-based service to others. This priority area is funded through the ELCA Congregation grant cycle.

Mission

The Sherwood Foundation® promotes equity through social justice initiatives enhancing the quality of life in Nebraska.

Vision

We believe social justice is the proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes, and actions that all produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes for all.

Who We Fund

The Sherwood Foundation® limits grants to organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), government entities, schools, or churches that are serving Nebraska. These organizations must be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service. 

What We Fund

The Sherwood Foundation® limits grants to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that predominately benefit those that are serving Nebraska and must address one of our categories:

Urban Community Partnerships

Our work in Nebraska’s urban communities focuses on family stability and child wellbeing with an overarching emphasis on community context. Using a two-generation approach, we are interested in the relationship between direct service provision and the greater systems that impact a community. Applicants are wise to cite specific research that influences a service model or approach to solving a community challenge.

Omaha Public Schools

Guidelines: 

• OPS employees must obtain approval from the District before submitting an application. 
• Applications lacking such documentation will not receive consideration.
• For assistance, please contact the OPS Grant Coordinator at 402.557.2151.

Rural Community Partnerships

Through these grants, The Sherwood Foundation® promotes local capacity to address locally-identified priorities and thereby strengthen the common good we enjoy as fellow Nebraskans. Requests from communities outside of the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas are considered on an ongoing basis. 

The following priorities guide The Sherwood Foundation’s Rural Community Partnership grants:

• Community leadership development that helps local community members expand and deepen their skills and experiences to better serve their home community through learning and innovation.
• Community inclusion that is broad-based and intentionally developed to leverage the diverse skills and perspectives of community members in service to the benefits and responsibilities of community life.
• Community collaboration that aligns stakeholders and resources in order to strategically build upon and utilize locally-controlled assets.

Early Childhood Education

The Sherwood Foundation® supports early childhood education on a regional and national basis through The Buffett Early Childhood Fund

What the Sherwood Foundation Values

 The Sherwood Foundation has strongly held values regarding civil liberties, equality and fairness with a particular focus on women and people oppressed because of their race, sexual orientation, and/or religion or lack-thereof.

• We respect that not all nonprofit organizations share the same values as the Foundation.
• We don’t ask nonprofits to change values for us or for funding.
• We do ask that nonprofits leaders respect our values and save everyone time and energy by not seeking funding if our organizational values aren’t aligned.

Equal rights.

We believe all humans are created equal. We work to eliminate government and social barriers to equality.

Access to civic life.

We are proud to live in a democracy and believe that the rights provided to individuals in the United States should be protected and the best way to protect those rights is to ensure equal access to the voting polls. 

Reproductive justice.

We support a woman’s right to self-determination about reproductive health choices. We expect our grantees serving women and girls to ensure access and education to all health care options, including abortion. 

Opportunity to thrive.

We believe a zip code should not determine the outcome of a life. We see how government institutions and laws have historically and do presently oppress and suppress opportunity, particularly for people of color but also other minority populations and women. We work with our community to undo systemic oppression and build systems that meet the needs of citizens and do not further oppress. We seek economic justice for our neighbors and the opportunity that lies therein.

Access to services.

We expect grantees to ensure that clients have access to services and that service providers work to remove barriers rather than create barriers to care and compassion. A service provider’s religious belief system should not be imposed upon those who seek their services, whether through proselytization, coercion, guilt, or an unspoken quid-pro-quo expectation to participate in faith-based classes or religious services.

ServeNebraska 

As the State Service Commission for Nebraska, ServeNebraska addresses community and state challenges by investing in high impact service solutions, while leveraging public, private, and nonprofit partnerships and resources. Through AmeriCorps, and Volunteer Action, ServeNebraska transforms small investments into big community impact. Cathleen Plager, ServeNebraska Executive Director leads the agency in conjunction a Governor approved board of Commissioners. The Commission develops and adopts policies that guide the State’s AmeriCorps grant making process. ServeNebraska receives federal funds from the AmeriCorps Agency to support AmeriCorps programs. AmeriCorps mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Volunteer Generation Fund, AmeriCorps has helped to engage millions of citizens in community and national challenges through service and volunteer action.

AmeriCorps grants include an allotment of AmeriCorps member positions and provide partial funding to support AmeriCorps projects and programs. Grants are solely for program expenses and cannot be used for general organizational operating expenses. AmeriCorps members or grant funds can help meet unmet needs or can expand an organization’s ability to better address community needs, but cannot be used to duplicate, displace, or supplant resources that already exist in a community. 

Using national service as an appropriate strategy

ServeNebraska is committed to continuing to demonstrate that service is a powerful strategy to address community challenges. Successful program designs clearly identify those directly impacted by the challenges, and identify an intervention proven to address the need, and clearly articulate why the efforts of AmeriCorps members are an appropriate strategy to deliver the intervention. This includes demonstrating how AmeriCorps member service activities will enhance or expand an organization’s ability to better address a community problem, and how the AmeriCorps program will not duplicate, displace or supplant resources that already exist to address the stated problem.

Applying an evidence-based approach

ServeNebraska expects those seeking an investment from AmeriCorps to demonstrate that their proposed intervention is guided by the best available research evidence that supports its effectiveness. This includes demonstrating that the proposed intervention will lead to the desired outcomes, and providing strong evidence that the proposed intervention is effective for the target population and community challenge identified.

Dedicated to quality

ServeNebraska seeks to invest in programs that are committed to making a difference and incorporate quality management practices to oversee the program and ensure appropriate investment of public funds. ServeNebraska values programs that can successfully implement the program design by assuring that the systems and processes necessary for managing and accessing the effectiveness of the program are present.

AmeriCorps Planning Grant

An AmeriCorps Planning Grant provides successful applicants with resources needed to develop program components and to build operational capacity critical to managing an AmeriCorps grant. Grant recipients also receive training and technical assistance from ServeNebraska to strengthen their AmeriCorps program design and to create implementation plans and systems for managing a complaint AmeriCorps program. Recipients who successfully complete their planning grant deliverables will be better prepared to apply for an operational grant as well as operate an AmeriCorps program, if funded. 

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.

Association for Women Geoscientists Osage Chapter

Recipients of the service scholarships are AWG Osage chapter members who exemplify AWG's mission to encourage, exchange, and enhance by participating in outreach events aimed at educating and promoting women in geosciences. This project provides funding for female or make undergraduate and graduate students to cover academic expenses.

The goal of this scholarship is to encourage and support students who are interested in the AWG mission of increasing participation of underrepresented groups in the geosciences through service to the community. We invite applications from geoscience students for merit-based scholarships of $500 to be used for research, tuition, or books. Scholarships are made possible by AWG Osage and AWG Foundation. This scholarship is funded in honor of Sean S. Thomson of Lawrence, Kansas for his invaluable support of the Osage Chapter.

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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.

Our Focus Areas

Our goal is to have a positive impact on our communities through the power of our giving. We can only do this because of the strength of the relationships we have with our nonprofit partners. We are proud to invest in them to support their missions and their passions. We are also proud of the legacy of Pacific Life, its employees, and our participation in helping make our communities healthier, safer, and stronger. 

Supporting communities where Pacific Life employees live and work, the Pacific Life Foundation community impact-driven grants are focused on the areas of arts and culture; civic, community and economic development; environment; education; and health and human services. National and international philanthropic investments are focused on the areas of college and career readiness, food security, disaster relief, and ocean health, and mobilize our employees for social good.

Program Overview

The Pacific Life Foundation’s mission with our grants program is:

• To strategically support issue areas that align with the Foundation's interests and serve the communities where a concentration of Pacific Life employees work and live
• To support programs that recognize and encourage positive change in our local communities and populations served
• To respond to the greatest needs of our communities by partnering with organizations that can best identify opportunities or challenges, bringing forward proven strategies or finding innovative ways to have a meaningful impact on those most in need

Online grant applications are accepted from nonprofits seeking funds for programs or capital projects in the areas of arts and culture; civic, community & economic development; education; health and human services; and the environment. 

Every year, the Pacific Life Foundation receives more requests than it can fund. For this reason, the Foundation has established guidelines that allow it to use its resources as wisely as possible. Receiving and reviewing grant requests at a predetermined time each year provides the framework for a thorough and thoughtful grant making process.

Length of Funding Period

Nonprofits may reapply annually for funding; however, grants are made to any one nonprofit for no more than three consecutive years. Support may again be requested after a two-year interim period. Exceptions are made for nonprofits where a Pacific Life officer serves on the board of directors. During the two-year interim period, a nonprofit may submit an application for a capital grant

Types and Ranges of Funding - Program Grants and Capital Grants

Program grants range up to $15,000 for a one-year period of funding and are given to support programs, operating expenses, or collaborative programs with other nonprofits. If your organization would like to be considered for multi-year funding, you will have an opportunity to explain why your program should be considered for funding for up to a three-year period.

Capital grants typically range from $25,000 to $100,000 and are given to a nonprofit with an organized campaign already under way to raise substantial funds; for example, to finance a building or for major renovation. More than 50 percent of the campaign goal (excluding pledges of in-kind donations, anonymous gifts, and loans) must be pledged prior to consideration by the Foundation.