Best Nebraska Grants for Nonprofits

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

Increasing Access to Preventive Healthcare Grant

Proactive measures to prevent illness, detect health issues early and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

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.

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

Third Places Grant

Building and strengthening the social fabric of communities across the state. For this program, we will fund:

• Parks, libraries, recreational centers and other outdoor public space
• Community gathering spaces
• Programs or projects that breathe new life into underused public spaces

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.

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.

The Kiwanis Homestead Early Risers Scholarship, offered by the Beatrice Educational Foundation, provides $500 scholarships to Beatrice High School graduating seniors. Awards are available for those attending four-year institutions, pursuing vocational careers in plumbing, welding, line work, electrician, or nursing, and those enrolling at Southeast Community College. Selection criteria include financial need, volunteerism, and academic performance, supporting students' educational aspirations and professional development.

The Kassing, Margaret, Educational Scholarship, offered by the Beatrice Educational Foundation, provides a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior from Beatrice High School aiming to become a teacher. This scholarship emphasizes academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. Applicants must submit a complete application, including a Student Aid Report from FAFSA, and must not receive excessive scholarship funds that exceed their needs. This initiative supports aspiring educators in their pursuit of higher education.

The Flood Communications of Beatrice Scholarship, managed by the Beatrice Educational Foundation, offers two $500 scholarships to senior student athletes from Beatrice High School. This initiative aims to support students pursuing higher education, recognizing their academic efforts and community service. Recipients are selected based on their sportsmanship and commitment to their education. The scholarships will be awarded during the Beatrice Orange and Black Banquet, with the goal of fostering educational growth in the local community.

RHTP 4.2b Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention RFA

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was awarded Federal funds through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the Nebraska Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Initiative 4.2b Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Prevention. Through this initiative, DHHS will assist healthcare partners in their efforts to reduce preventable infections, limit antibiotic resistance, and improve healthcare outcomes in rural Nebraska.

Total Funding

• $383,500.00 

Use of Funds

The funds are made available through cost reimbursement to healthcare facilities performing any of the following activities:

• Cost reimbursement for one of the following Antimicrobial Stewardship Training Programs upon successful completion of the certification: 
  • Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacist (SIDP) Antimicrobial Stewardship certificate program 
  • Making a Difference in infectious Diseases (MAD-ID) Basic Antimicrobial Stewardship Training Program
  • MAD-ID in-person Advanced Antimicrobial Stewardship Program or
  • The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) in-person Antibiotic Stewardship Training Course (Maximum 2 pharmacist per healthcare facility, with each choosing one of the above-mentioned training – reimbursement capped at $600 per pharmacist for training #1, $500 per pharmacist for training #2, $3,400 per pharmacist for training #3 and $3,800 for training #4; includes certification/training program fee for respective training, and travel expenses for in person conference). [This activity is only available to hospitals.]
• Cost reimbursement for infection preventionists (IPs) certification attempts through Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc (Maximum 2 IPs per healthcare facility – reimbursement  capped at $1,300 per IP; includes certification fee and study materials expenses). [This activity is available to all eligible facility types.]
• Cost reimbursement for infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship staff attending the Nebraska Infectious Diseases Conference (Maximum 2 staff per healthcare facility – reimbursement capped at $500 per staff for facility within 50 miles of conference center, $1000 per staff for facility between 50 to 250 miles; and $1,500 per staff for facility over 250 miles from conference center; includes registration fees, hotel stay, mileage, meals and staff time spent at the conference). [This activity is available to all eligible facility types.]
• Cost reimbursement for IT staff time spent on onboarding/maintenance of outpatient antibiotic use dashboard provided by the Collaboration to Harmonize Antimicrobial Registry Measures (CHARM) project (reimbursement will be capped at $7,500 per healthcare organization even if onboarding multiple clinics.). [This activity is only available to hospitals, and outpatient healthcare facilities.]

The Sherwood Foundation's Capital Grants program aims to enhance Nebraska's communities through strategic investments in public education, human services, and social justice. By providing funding for land purchases, construction, renovations, and significant equipment, the foundation supports projects that improve child and family welfare. Organizations seeking grants must provide their EIN/TAX ID, ensuring that funds are directed to eligible applicants committed to fostering community development and well-being.

The Building Local Alignment and Community (BLAC) Fund is a participatory grant process powered by IBBG. The BLAC fund will regrant $1M by 2027 to reproductive health and wellbeing organizations and projects across Nebraska that support and are led by underserved populations, including but not limited to Black women, femmes, and girls.

Blac Fund Childcare Grant

We’re excited to announce a new opportunity through the 2026 BLAC Fund, created specifically to support underrepresented childcare providers across Nebraska. IBBG will invest $250,000 in grants to help sustain and strengthen childcare businesses in economically distressed and underserved communities.

The Building Local Alignment and Community (BLAC) Fund is a participatory grant process powered by IBBG. The BLAC fund will regrant $1M by 2027 to reproductive health and wellbeing organizations and projects across Nebraska that support and are led by underserved populations, including but not limited to Black women, femmes, and girls.

Blac Fund General Grant

The BLAC Fund aims to support community-based organizations and projects in Nebraska that are led by, and benefit, underserved populations, including but not limited to Black women, femmes, and girls. According to the Pocket Change report released by the Ms. Foundation in 2020, philanthropic giving to women and girls of color in the U.S. averaged just $5.48 per person, amounting to only 0.5% of the total $66.9 billion given by foundations. 

Chronic Disease Management Navigation and Education Initiative (NE)

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Chronic Disease Prevention Program invites proposals to expand Chronic Disease Management through Navigation and Education across Nebraska’s communities. This initiative is funded through the Rural Health Transformation Project, 4.4A. It aims to connect people in need with resources to promote healthy living and strengthen coordination among patients and health systems.

Program Scope

Funded projects will expand community-based education, care navigation, and self-management support for individuals living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and other long-term health challenges. Projects should improve health outcomes by helping individuals understand their conditions, navigate complex health systems, and access timely, community responsive resources. Through structured education, one-on-one navigation support, and partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations, participants gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage their conditions, reduce preventable complications, and improve quality of life.

Workplans should include, but are not limited to:

• Chronic disease education delivered through workshops, group sessions, and individualized learning tailored to participant needs
• Care navigation and referral support, helping participants connect to primary care, specialty services, medications, and community resources
• Health system navigation, including assistance with appointments, care plans, insurance literacy, and follow-up care.

Funding Amounts

Awards will be made based on applicant type, project scope, and demonstrated need. Single applications should not exceed $400,000 per proposed budget. Applicants must verify and/or justify that their proposed workplan does not overlap existing efforts. Our goal is to expand program reach, not duplicate efforts.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant opportunity for schools to implement the PLTW Engineering program for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond. Eligible institutions include public, private, and charter schools located in the US. Grant recipients will receive funding to cover participation fees and training costs. Total funding amounts to $16,000, distributed over three years. Schools are encouraged to create pathways for students in engineering through this initiative.

The Legal Aid and Service Fund Grant, administered by the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, aims to provide essential legal representation to indigent defendants in serious criminal cases. Established in 1995, the Commission supports public defenders and oversees the Legal Aid and Services Fund to assist those unable to afford civil legal services. The agency ensures that counties comply with constitutional mandates while offering additional assistance based on financial need and service years, enhancing access to justice for vulnerable citizens.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) offers grants for schools to implement the PLTW Computer Science program from 2025 to 2028. Schools must provide at least one PLTW course in the first year and two courses in the second year. The total grant is $14,000, covering participation fees and training costs. Eligible institutions include public, private, and charter schools located in the U.S., with special encouragement for those serving low-income or minority-majority populations.

Nebraska Humanities Council

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

There are two organizations that fall under the Humanities Nebraska umbrella — the Nebraska Humanities Council is the entity that conducts programs and makes grants. The Nebraska Foundation for the Humanities works with the Council to secure private funding and advocate for public funding at the state and federal levels to support these programs. A third organization, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, serves as the endowment for both Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency.

Sower Award in the Humanities

Humanities Nebraska presents the Sower Award in the Humanities annually to honor an individual who has made a significant contribution to the public understanding of the humanities in Nebraska. This contribution can be made through any combination of time, expertise, or resources. The selection committee will consider how nominees have helped enrich the lives of Nebraskans through the humanities: history, literature, culture, philosophy, and all the ways we explore what it means to be human.

Each year, the Sower Award in the Humanities is presented prior to the annual Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities. The award recipient must be present. In some past years the Sower Award was presented to organizations or communities; as of 2016, only individuals are eligible for nomination. Current board and staff members of Humanities Nebraska are not eligible.

Previous honorees have included:

• Talented humanities faculty who have taken the humanities to the public beyond their classroom;
• Committed volunteers dedicating their time and energy to enhancing the cultural life of Nebraska;
• Thoughtful journalists and filmmakers bringing the humanities to bear on important public issues;
• Generous philanthropists who have directed significant financial support to humanities-related programs and projects accessible by Nebraskans

FNBO: Capital or Major Donations aims to support nonprofit organizations through significant financial contributions for capital projects. This initiative focuses on enhancing community well-being by addressing key areas such as affordable housing, environmental stability, and education. FNBO prioritizes partnerships with nonprofits dedicated to long-term impacts, especially for historically underrepresented populations. By fostering community engagement and providing essential resources, FNBO strives to create a positive influence in the regions it serves.

NACO Scholarship

NACO began its scholarship program in 1999 when it presented six high school seniors with $500 awards each to be used toward their post-secondary educations. Since 2004, NACO has presented twelve high school seniors with $1000 awards each to be used toward their post-secondary educations. 

To be considered, students must complete the required application form, submit a seven-semester transcript from an accredited Nebraska high school and prepare a written essay on the importance of county government.

Scholarship recipients must plan to attend a post-secondary educational institution within the state of Nebraska and may use the NACO scholarship for any costs associated with their continuing education. Scholarships are available for one year and are non-renewable.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant opportunity for schools across the US to implement the PLTW Gateway program for the first time. With total funding of $9,100, the grant covers participation fees and training registration costs. Schools, including public, private, and charter, are encouraged to apply, particularly those serving low-income and minority majority populations. This initiative aims to enhance educational pathways in STEM for diverse student groups.

CommonSpirit Health offers the Community Health Improvement Grant to enhance health equity and service systems for underserved populations. Through collaborative efforts with 501(c)(3) organizations, this initiative provides financial support for essential health projects. Grant amounts range from $19,500 for small grants to $150,000 for standard grants, varying by hospital. Participating hospitals include those under Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health, aimed at addressing significant community health needs.

The Dr. Ralph and Marian Falk Medical Research Trust – Falk Catalyst Awards support high-risk, high-reward biomedical research with up to $350,000 in funding over one to two years. These awards aim to address critical scientific challenges and enable the translation of innovative research into clinical practices. Projects focus on identifying biological markers, therapeutic targets, and developing interventions to disrupt disease processes, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for patients.

The Sumners Foundation Grant aims to engage and educate the public about self-government through various programs, including civic education, democracy reform, and teacher training. Grants are available to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations primarily in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, supporting activities that foster civic engagement and understanding of democratic principles. The Foundation emphasizes direct involvement in the political process and does not fund political activities or provide individual grants.

The W R Berkley Corporation Charitable Grant Program supports local 501(c)(3) organizations in Central Iowa, SW Minnesota, and Eastern Nebraska. With a focus on health, community betterment, youth development, education, and food insecurity, grants are awarded twice a year. There are no limitations on request sizes, but only one grant per organization is accepted annually. Funding decisions prioritize organizations with a proven track record of efficiency and success in serving their communities.

The Disaster Resilience Program, supported by Equal Justice Works, aims to provide free civil legal aid to communities affected by disasters in the Midwest. With funding for attorney and summer law student fellows, the program addresses the unique legal needs of low-income families, helping them recover from the impacts of disasters. This initiative not only stabilizes lives but also promotes resilience in communities by ensuring access to essential legal services.

About

The Advancing Communities grant program helps communities across Nebraska and southwest Iowa develop or enhance spaces that are inviting to all citizens, enabling connection through social, recreational, historical and civic engagement. By supporting capital projects that make great community assets — from libraries and youth rec centers to parks, trails, museums and more — we encourage our neighbors to get out and explore.

Advancing Communities Grant

Projects for consideration should align with the following themes:

• Shared spaces such as libraries, parks, trails and community centers — that encourage engagement and make towns more vibrant places to live, work and gather.
• Innovative ideas and forward-thinking approaches that engage multiple generations, introduce new ideas or bring fresh energy into existing community spaces.
• Community-led efforts, including partnerships among public, private and nonprofit sectors, with priority given to initiatives that demonstrate collaboration, local investment and community-driven vision.
• Sustainable, ready-to-launch projects that have secured at least 60% of their total funding and show clear plans for long-term maintenance, sustainability and measurable community benefit.

Grant amounts:

Applicants may request up to $250,000 for one time capital support.

Deadlines:

Applications for this program can be submitted at any time.

Nebraska Crime Commission

The Governor's Crime Control Commission was created in 1967 by Executive Order. The name was later changed to the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice with legislation enacted in 1969 to establish the Crime Commission as an agency of state government.

The Crime Commission was established to develop comprehensive plans and coordinate activities related to the improvement of criminal justice administration among state and local agencies. Since its inception, additional statutory responsibilities have been assigned to the Crime Commission, which now serves as an umbrella agency for many criminal and juvenile justice programs. The majority of the Crime Commission's responsibilities are set forth in Nebraska Revised Statutes 81-1415 to 81-1429.02.

Juvenile Services Commission Grant Program (JS): Truancy Prevention and Intervention Only

Pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute §43-2406, the Nebraska Crime Commission shall award Juvenile Services Commission Grant Program (Juvenile Services) grants on a competitive basis to eligible applicants based upon criteria determined by the Commission. Grants provided under the Commission Grant Program may be used for developing programs under the Juvenile Services Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2401 to 43-2412). At this time, Juvenile services grant funds under this opportunity will be targeted only to programs addressing truancy within their community.

All programs funded through Juvenile Services Commission Grant Program that serve youth shall report individual-level data through the Juvenile Case Management System (JCMS).

Funding Purpose

Funds received through the Juvenile Services Grant Program shall be used exclusively to assist the recipient in the implementation and operation of programs or the provision of for truancy prevention and intervention (Kindergarten – Twelfth Grade). These programs are defined as programs aimed at steering youth with excessive absences in an effort to prevent system involvement.

Programs or services not developed for the purpose of serving the above-described population of youth are not eligible for funding under this grant opportunity, regardless of if previously funded. Applications not clearly identifying the population of youth served by the proposed program and how they meet the funding requirement will not be awarded funding.

The James M. Cox Foundation Grant offers support to nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, and health. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines before Trustee meetings. Preference is given to organizations with a history of local engagement. This foundation embodies the philanthropic spirit of its founder, James M. Cox, by giving back to the community.

Expedited Off Cycle Grant

Due to the passage of Legislative Bill 1071 in April of 2026, there is included in the appropriation for Nebraska Tourism Commission dba Visit Nebraska to this program FY2025-26 $175,000 Cash Funds for state aid, which shall only be used for a marketing grant related to international volleyball events at a city of the metropolitan class. There is included in the appropriation to this program for FY2025-26 $150,000 Cash Funds for state aid, which shall only be used for a tourism and visitor promotion grant to an organization that provides tourism and visitor promotion services in the state through exhibits and trails and that is located along the Missouri River and within five miles of a city of the first class.

When developing your grant application, 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.