Best School Health Grants in Nebraska

Nebraska Blue Foundation

For more than 85 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) has been a champion for the health and well-being of our members and the communities we serve. Founded in 2024, the Nebraska Blue Foundation now allows us to concentrate our efforts into pockets of our community that need to be uplifted the most.

In 2025, the Nebraska Blue Foundation launched two grant opportunities through its inaugural grant cycles. The foundation awarded 42 organizations with a total of $500,000 in grant funding to further their goals and missions, supporting organizations across Nebraska that:

• Provide quality preventive care
• Serve the aging population 
• Further economic vitality  
• Support the development of third places

Healthy Home Team Grant

BCBSNE is proud to be a champion for health and well-being for our members and the communities we serve. That's why we're stepping up to present Healthy Home Team, an initiative to partner with Nebraska high schools in boosting health and well-being in communities across our state.

Each year we'll select up to 100 applicant schools to receive a $500 grant to support health and wellness for your students or local community. Schools may only receive a grant once every three school years.

The Nebraska Blue Foundation is particularly interested in supporting innovation and pilot projects. As a new foundation, our approach is to be catalytic with our grants – primarily investing in new ideas or programs that could meet a specific need with a one-time investment.

RBC Foundation – USA aims to enhance community quality of life by supporting non-profit organizations that promote diversity and positive change. In 2023, it awarded over $2.8 million in grants, prioritizing youth programs for ages 15-29, arts access for diverse populations, and mental well-being initiatives. The foundation encourages sustainable projects that foster economic independence, providing critical support for education, mental health, and cultural enrichment, thereby making a significant impact across various communities.

Focused on nutrition and healthy eating, this program invites Nebraska school health and education nonprofits to seek support for nutrition education, food access, and culinary arts training initiatives. 501(c)(3) organizations working with students, families, or communities across the U.S. may be eligible for funding from the Ann B Zekauskas Family Foundation.

K-12 schools in Nebraska participating in the National School Lunch Program can seek National Dairy Council support for nutrition equipment that expands access to healthy school meals. Focused on school health, this program offers US $2,000 equipment kits to increase students’ access to and consumption of dairy foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing nursing degrees who live in Independent School District #813 may be eligible for this nursing scholarship, which supports postsecondary education in the field. Grants from Greater Lake City Community Foundation help students with strong academics, school involvement, and community service advance their nursing studies, which may benefit future school health efforts in Nebraska and beyond.

School food professionals working under the National School Lunch Program in Nebraska can apply for the Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship, a 13‑month leadership and school health training program. This Chef Ann Foundation fellowship supports mid- to upper-level staff with intensive learning, travel-based trainings, and a capstone project grant to drive healthier, more equitable school meals.

K-12 school districts in Nebraska that self-operate their meal programs and participate in the National School Lunch Program can receive intensive support to shift to scratch-cooked, healthier school meals. With a mission to improve school nutrition, Chef Ann Foundation provides multi-year technical assistance and system improvement grants to enhance school health through better food service operations.

Schools in Nebraska seeking to start or expand in-school food pantries may be eligible for support to improve student nutrition and school health. Stop & Shop Helping Hands partners directly with pre-K through college campuses to establish or sustain school-based food pantries, helping ensure students have reliable access to food so they can learn and perform their best.

School-based audiologists and speech-language pathologists in Nebraska can receive recognition and US $2,500 through the Rolland J. Van Hattum Award for exemplary school health communication services. Focused on school-based audiology and speech-language pathology, the American Speech Language Hearing Foundation honors outstanding, innovative, and impactful work that improves services for students and supports their school systems.

Student health centers and staff in Nebraska working on school health and health care access can seek funding to develop innovative practices that improve students’ access to quality care. American College Health Foundation offers up to US $3,500 for projects addressing student needs, service awareness and utilization, delivery methods, technology integration, and campus partnerships.

School nurses leading or practicing in school health in Nebraska and nationwide can seek US $1,000 - US $25,000 to conduct new research on school nursing and the health of school-aged children. With a mission to strengthen school health practice, National Association of School Nurses provides funding for rigorous, publishable research projects.

Nebraska school districts and other local educational agencies working on school health and COVID-19 prevention may be eligible for national Project SAFE support. With a mission to improve students’ safety and well-being, US ED: Office of Elementary & Secondary Education (OESE) provides resources to LEAs that face State-level financial penalties for following CDC-aligned mitigation strategies.

School health and wellness nonprofits in Nebraska can apply for Levin Family Foundation grants of up to US $30,000 to support programs addressing issues like drug use disorder, bullying, suicide prevention, and related student health needs. Grants from Levin Family Foundation help U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations, with priority to projects in the Greater Dayton Area, advance these focus areas.

Nonprofit K–8 schools with established gardens or culinary education programs can seek support to expand school health, nutrition, and culinary learning, including in Nebraska. Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen helps integrate gardening and cooking into curricula for youth, emphasizing nutrition education, life skills, and culinary skills development.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and certain public entities running education, health, or wellness programs can seek US $2,500 - US $10,000 to support community initiatives in Nebraska and other eligible U.S. locations. With a mission to strengthen communities, International Paper Company Foundation provides funding for literacy, school-age education, wellness, hunger relief, disaster preparedness, and related community services.

Nebraska school and education-focused 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofits can seek support for higher education, special needs education, and workplace preparation programs through McCormick & Company’s charitable contributions program. Focused on education, health and wellness, environment, and arts, McCormick prioritizes organizations in communities where its employees live and work, which may include school health initiatives.

Nebraska cultural and arts-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits with audited expenses over $2 million can access funding through the William Randolph Hearst Foundation for impactful arts and culture programs. Support is available for program, capital, and limited general or endowment needs in areas like arts education, museums, performing arts, and STEAM-focused science initiatives that reach broad audiences, including K–12 students.

Nebraska 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting basic needs, at-risk youth enrichment, workforce readiness, or safety from domestic violence can access funding via TJX Foundation if located within 15 miles of a TJX site. Programs serving vulnerable children and families, including out-of-school supports that impact school success and well-being, may be eligible to submit a letter of inquiry.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering programs in women’s and children’s health, addiction prevention or treatment, or therapeutic human-animal interaction may be eligible for general operating or program support, including work in Nebraska schools. The Scaife Family Foundation prioritizes South Florida and Western Pennsylvania but considers requests from across the country.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services offers financial support for various community projects through its Company Giving program. Focused on four key areas—Health Care, Veterans' Support, Education, and Crisis Management—this initiative aims to enhance the well-being of local communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and civic groups, while organizations that primarily benefit their members or have high management overhead may be excluded. The program underscores J.B. Hunt's commitment to corporate social responsibility.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The Hearst Foundation: Education Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that promote education across various levels, focusing primarily on higher education. With a minimum grant size of $100,000, the foundation prioritizes organizations demonstrating significant impact and sustainability. They support innovative educational models, professional development, and scholarships, specifically targeting underserved populations. Since the 1940s, the foundation has evolved while maintaining its commitment to fostering healthy and productive lives for all individuals in the United States.

The Hearst Foundation's Health Grant aims to support nonprofits that enhance healthcare access for underserved populations in the U.S. Focused on improving skills and increasing healthcare practitioners, the grant also emphasizes public health and medical research. With a history of funding significant projects, the foundation prioritizes programs that address the complex needs of low-income, rural, and elderly communities. This commitment ensures a sustainable impact on national health outcomes while supporting innovative healthcare delivery systems.

The Sachs Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for economically and educationally disadvantaged individuals and families. The Foundation supports self-sustaining charitable organizations focusing on economic and educational opportunities, particularly in low-income communities in the U.S. and developing countries. Grants are available for various initiatives, including education, housing, and job training, with a keen interest in programs that demonstrate clear potential for sustainability.

The HDR Foundation Grant Cycle supports community organizations aligned with HDR's values, focusing on education, healthy communities, and environmental stewardship. This employee-funded initiative emphasizes the importance of employee engagement in grant proposals, requiring a clear scope of work and completion within a year. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofits, educational institutions, and tribal governments, while grants are not provided for faith-based organizations or individual support.

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program aims to enhance access to high-quality early education for low-income children. Funding up to $1.5 million is available for innovative proposals that improve professional development for early educators. Key priorities include scalable coaching models, leadership development for under-resourced communities, and community-wide substitute teacher pools. This initiative is designed to tackle significant gaps identified in early childhood education and support effective learning environments.

The Imagine Learning Foundation's Signature Grant Program aims to enhance the well-being of learners by supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) initiatives. By bridging classroom and community efforts, it fosters healthier environments for youth, families, and educators. The program prioritizes funding for organizations addressing critical issues like chronic absenteeism and housing insecurity. In 2024, the foundation will allocate over $400,000 to impactful projects, furthering its mission to cultivate supportive learning experiences both in and out of the classroom.