Best Nebraska Grants for Nonprofits

The FNBO Impact Grant Program aims to empower nonprofit organizations that eliminate barriers to economic and social opportunities. Focusing on Affordable Housing, Workforce Development, and Financial Literacy, this initiative supports projects that enhance community well-being and promote personal economic self-sufficiency. While the 2025 grant cycle is closed, interested applicants should check back in early 2026 for updates on future funding opportunities.

The Regional Touring Grant Program, funded by the Mid-America Arts Alliance, supports organizations in the M-AAA region to showcase touring artists from outside their state. Grants up to $5,000 are available, with organizations eligible for matching funds and the capacity to submit multiple applications. Projects are designed to enhance arts programming and engage underserved audiences through public-facing events, including performances and outreach activities. This initiative aims to foster cultural exchange and deepen community connections through the arts.

The Artistic Innovations Grant Program, supported by the Mid-America Arts Alliance, provides up to $15,000 to artists and arts organizations in the M-AAA six-state region. This initiative fosters creativity by funding the development and premiere of original works, encouraging innovative projects that engage local audiences. Eligible applicants include individual artists and nonprofit organizations, promoting a vibrant arts community through financial support for artistic exploration.

CSA Midwest Region: Beth Dunlap Award

 The Midwestern Region presents The Beth Dunlap Award at the Regional Symposium. The award will be offered to a person who has made contributions worthy of the highest commendation and the achievements will have continued importance. Beth Dunlap was one of the founding members of the Midwestern Region. A fashion illustrator and artist, she passed away in 2009.

The Nonpoint Source Management Grants (Section 319) support watershed-based projects aimed at restoring or protecting water quality. Funded by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, these grants provide financial assistance for implementing the Nonpoint Source Management Plan. Eligible entities include government units, educational institutions, and non-profits. Key details include a grant limit of $300,000, a 40% non-federal match requirement, and a project duration of up to 3 years.

The Colposcopy Training and Equipment Grant supports public health clinics by funding clinical training for staff and the purchase of colposcopy equipment. This grant ensures that clinics can provide seamless follow-up procedures after abnormal Pap tests. Eligible applicants can request up to $4,000 for training and $15,000 for equipment costs. Funding is available on a reimbursement basis, requiring prior approval of applications and budgets before incurring expenses.

The Quality Improvement Grant, offered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, provides up to $500 to licensed Child Care Homes and Centers to enhance their programs. Eligible applicants must maintain good standing and have a current Child Care Subsidy enrollment. Funds are intended for items that improve program quality, ensuring equitable care for all children, including those with disabilities. Providers must sustain business and subsidy enrollment for three years after receiving funding.

The NE Emergency Mini Grant, offered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, provides funding up to $2,000 for licensed child care centers and homes. This grant aims to support necessary items for licensure based on inspections by relevant authorities. Eligible applicants must maintain good standing and ensure compliance with child care subsidy requirements. The initiative focuses on improving child care quality and accessibility for low-income families, enhancing early childhood development programs.

The Child Care Start-Up and Expansion Grant offers financial assistance of up to $10,000 for child care centers and $5,000 for child care homes to enhance service capacity. Eligible applicants include individuals, groups, and existing programs aiming to meet licensing requirements or expand services. This initiative supports new quality child care programs and modifications to existing ones, ensuring providers can maintain operations and child care subsidy enrollment for three years.

The Nebraska DEE Emergency Assistance Grants provide crucial financial support for wastewater treatment facilities that have been impacted by natural disasters or unforeseen events. These grants can be paired with loans from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, ensuring that facilities can recover and maintain compliance with environmental standards. However, these funds are not intended for routine maintenance, focusing instead on urgent recovery needs.

The Small Town Grants program, part of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, provides matching grants to municipalities with populations of 10,000 or less. With over $10.1 million allocated since July 2020, the program aims to subsidize costly wastewater treatment and sewer projects. Eligibility requires completion of a Needs Survey and a median household income below the state average, ensuring support for communities facing financial hardship.

The North Central Branch John Henry Comstock Award recognizes one graduate student from each of the Entomological Society of America's six branches. This award promotes graduate-level entomology and encourages attendance at the ESA Annual Meeting. Benefits include an all-expense-paid trip to the national meeting, a $500 cash prize, and a certificate presented during the meeting. Eligibility includes current enrollment in a graduate entomology program or recent graduation.

The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused Collaborations Program (RII-FEC) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by fostering partnerships among government, higher education, and industry. This program supports interdisciplinary teams of researchers to tackle significant challenges in STEM fields, promoting diversity and broadening participation. By integrating Minority-Serving Institutions and early-career faculty from underrepresented backgrounds, RII-FEC seeks to build sustainable STEM capacity and drive impactful discoveries across regions.

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship offers unique research opportunities for graduate students from member universities. Eligible candidates can conduct research at the Smithsonian in diverse fields such as anthropology, ecology, and history of science. The fellowship provides a stipend of $45,000 per year, with additional research allowances, and supports both U.S. and international students. This initiative fosters collaboration among leading academic institutions to advance knowledge and innovation.

The Jack Lewis Safety Fund, established by the Walter Scott Family Foundation, honors Dr. Jack K. Lewis and supports Nebraska and southwest Iowa communities. Grants up to $50,000 are available for safety-related projects, including equipment, training, and facility improvements. Applicants must serve communities with 5,000 or fewer residents or be located in specific counties. Priority is given to projects showcasing local fundraising and collaboration. Applications are accepted year-round with specific deadlines for review cycles.

The XENO PRIZE for Performance Arts, awarded by Franklin Furnace, supports early-career LGBTQ+-identifying performance artists creating new work in 26 states with restrictive gender-affirming laws. This annual prize, established in 2023, offers $5000 to a selected recipient from proposals submitted for the Franklin Furnace FUND for Performance Art. The deadline for submissions is April 1, 2025, encouraging innovative voices in the contemporary performance art landscape.

The Nebraska Rural Veterinarian Grant Program aims to address the critical shortage of production animal veterinarians in rural Nebraska. Offered by the Nebraska Department of Labor, this initiative provides financial grants of up to $150,000 to recent veterinary graduates or new practitioners who commit to practicing in rural areas. Eligible applicants must secure a job offer in a rural county and demonstrate a long-term commitment to serving the community, thereby enhancing local veterinary services and supporting agricultural health.

The Recreational Trails Program in Nebraska offers funding for developing and maintaining recreational trails, supporting activities such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Grants range from $50,000 to $250,000, with a requirement for applicants to provide 20% of project costs. The program is overseen by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, ensuring that various trail-related projects, including maintenance and construction, receive financial support to enhance outdoor recreational opportunities.

The Recreational Trails Program - Educational Grant in Nebraska supports training and education related to trail construction and environmental stewardship. With funding requests ranging from $2,500 to $25,000, eligible applicants include political subdivisions and non-profit organizations. These groups may seek waivers on funding limits with proper justification. The program aims to enhance recreational trail experiences and promote sustainable practices within the community.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in Nebraska is a federal initiative aimed at enhancing outdoor recreation by providing financial support to state and local governments. Grants, ranging from $75,000 to $600,000, fund diverse projects including parks, trails, and recreational facilities. The program ensures equitable access to outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and sports, while preserving green spaces for future generations. Eligible entities include cities, counties, and public districts, contributing to community wellbeing.

The Watchable Wildlife Grants (NE) program, funded by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, aims to enhance wildlife-viewing experiences throughout Nebraska. Offering up to $6,000 per project, this initiative requires a 25% match and supports various wildlife observation projects, including infrastructure, events, and interpretive signage. Ideal for nonprofits and governmental entities, these grants foster public appreciation and stewardship for local natural resources while ensuring positive impacts on wildlife and their habitats.

Request for Applications

Modification of Existing Clinical Facilities for Mental Health Crisis

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) is issuing this Request for Applications (RFA) for the purposes of entering into a grant agreement and awarding federal funds through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) 5.3, to provide funding for equipment and enhancements to hospitals and behavioral health providers to expand crisis response, stabilization, and substance use withdrawal services in rural areas. Through this RFA, eligible and qualified rural entities will receive funding for equipment and minor building alterations and renovation projects in an existing building or facility.

Objective

DHHS is seeking interested providers who can support the RHTP Nebraska Behavioral Health initiative through creating a sustainable, community-based emergency behavioral health system that improves outcomes, reduces costs, and strengthens the State’s behavioral health continuum of care. Potential grantees would look to increase crisis stabilization, crisis response and substance use withdrawal management capacity by retrofitting existing areas or purchasing needed equipment in rural hospitals, community health centers, rural emergency hospitals (REHs), and tribal health facilities.

Through minor facility modifications and equipment enhancements, existing clinical spaces will be adapted to serve individuals experiencing behavioral health or substance use crises.

DHHS is making the full amount of $5,500,000 available for grants under this RFA. A total award of funds requested by the applicant is not guaranteed but is subject to the number of applications received, the actual money appropriated to DHHS, and at DHHS’ discretion.

​RFA 5965 SNAP Employment and Training

Program Overview

The State of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, is seeking eligible Subrecipients to implement additional workforce opportunities for SNAP recipients. The State wishes to engage a broad range of Subrecipients to bring new tools, resources, and capacity to build a better, stronger, and more robust SNAP E&T Program.

The State offers employment and training services to SNAP recipients who voluntarily choose to participate in SNAP E&T. Eligible SNAP Next Step E&T participants cannot be receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds and must be actively receiving SNAP benefits. The program provides orientation, assessment, development of an employment plan, training as well as supportive services to program participants along with a range of activities. The SNAP Next Step E&T program is available in the central area of the State including Kearney, Columbus, Grand Island, North Platte, Scottsbluff, Sidney, Lexington, Norfolk, and Hastings as well as Omaha. DHHS is in the process of expanding the SNAP Next Step E&T program to serve other areas of the state, specifically Lincoln, NE through Third party partners. 

Project Description

The Subrecipient(s) will work to connect with current SNAP recipients and applicants who participate with SNAP Next Step E&T or could participate with SNAP Next Step E&T. This will be done through knowledge the Subrecipient already has in regard to their customer base or SNAP Next Step E&T participants will be referred to the Subrecipient from DHHS. The Subrecipient(s) will work in coordination with DHHS to complete any needed assessments, employment plans and data tracking. 

The Door to College (DTC) Scholarship Program in Nebraska offers up to $5,000 annually to support undergraduate students from Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers or accredited high schools. This scholarship aims to ease the financial burden of postsecondary education for eligible students. Applications are accepted year-round, requiring submission to the financial aid office and completion of the FAFSA. Awards are based on institutional recommendations and can be prorated for part-time students.

The Community College Gap Assistance Program in Nebraska provides financial aid to low-income students enrolled in non-credit or under-credited programs that are not eligible for Pell Grants. This initiative aims to help students gain skills in high-demand fields like healthcare, technology, and trades, ultimately enhancing employability. Grants can be used for tuition, training costs, and necessary materials, supporting those who fall through the cracks of traditional funding sources.

The Career-Readiness and Dual-Credit Education Grant Program in Nebraska aims to enhance teacher qualifications by providing financial support for tuition and related costs associated with graduate coursework and certification for teaching dual credit and career technical education courses. This initiative focuses on improving educational standards and accessibility for teachers, ensuring they are well-equipped to deliver quality education in postsecondary institutions.

Nebraska Crime Commission

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.

Crime Victim Reparations

The Nebraska Crime Victim’s Reparations (CVR) program assists eligible victims of crime who suffer bodily harm and have incurred a financial loss as a direct result of a criminal act. The Nebraska Crime Victim's Reparations Act was created in 1979 with the passage of Legislative Bill (LB) 910. The CVR program is funded through the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), state general fund appropriations, and cash funds.

Types of Expenses

• Medical expenses (hospital, doctor, dental, prescriptions, x-rays, etc.)
• Lost wages while under a doctor’s care
• Funeral expenses (Maximum of $10,000)
• Headstone | Grave marker may be considered
• Counseling | Therapy (Maximum of $5,000)
• Crime-scene clean-up (Maximum of $5,000)