Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in Nebraska

Nebraska nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and first responder agencies can seek funding for traffic safety, driver education, and K–12 financial literacy programs. The Auto Club Group Foundation supports organizations within its 14-state footprint, offering US $5,000 - US $15,000 grants that can include passive speed enforcement equipment such as speed display signs.

Nonprofit organizations and schools supporting financial education, children’s health, or affordable housing in Nebraska communities can seek project or program funding, including in Omaha. With a mission to improve quality of life, GreenState Credit Union provides foundation grants to local groups working in its geographic footprint and serving underserved communities.

The Lozier Foundation

The Lozier Foundation is a private family foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska, funded by Allan and Dianne Lozier. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations working to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve quality of life for people and families who have historically had less access to resources.

The Foundation’s grantmaking is grounded in a long-term commitment to Omaha and the surrounding region. We are especially interested in work that helps level the playing field, supports people during important moments of need or transition, and gives individuals and families greater ability to make choices about their own lives and futures.

The Foundation’s support has historically focused on established nonprofit organizations working in areas such as education, human services, youth development, health, family stability, and community well-being. While those areas describe much of our grantmaking, they are not intended to serve as fixed categories or a comprehensive list.

The Foundation is selective in its grantmaking. We generally support organizations with a meaningful operating history, capable leadership, sound governance, financial discipline, and a demonstrated ability to serve the community effectively. The Foundation does not typically support early-stage organizations, small projects or organizations with limited reach, or requests that fall outside our geographic and charitable priorities.

The Foundation also considers whether a request reflects a clear understanding of the existing community landscape. We are generally skeptical of efforts that duplicate services already being provided effectively by other organizations, particularly when collaboration, coordination, or partnership would better serve the community. Organizations seeking support should be prepared to explain how their work fits within the broader field, who they collaborate with, and why the proposed work is needed.

Grants

Grantseekers wishing to apply to the Lozier Foundation should begin by reviewing the Mission, Values, Funding Priorities and Funding Eligibility Statements.

The Lozier Foundation grant applications include: Capital Application; Education Application; General Application; and Program Application.

Organizations may receive general operating, program, and capital grants. While The Lozier Foundation prefers to provide ongoing general operating support, organizations can receive a program and/or capital grant in the same calendar year.

Lozier Foundation General Application

Funding Priorities

• Education
• Women & Girls
• North Omaha Initiatives
• Human Services

The General Application follows the foundation guidelines provided here.

The Lozier Foundation

The Lozier Foundation is a private family foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska, funded by Allan and Dianne Lozier. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations working to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve quality of life for people and families who have historically had less access to resources.

The Foundation’s grantmaking is grounded in a long-term commitment to Omaha and the surrounding region. We are especially interested in work that helps level the playing field, supports people during important moments of need or transition, and gives individuals and families greater ability to make choices about their own lives and futures.

The Foundation’s support has historically focused on established nonprofit organizations working in areas such as education, human services, youth development, health, family stability, and community well-being. While those areas describe much of our grantmaking, they are not intended to serve as fixed categories or a comprehensive list.

The Foundation is selective in its grantmaking. We generally support organizations with a meaningful operating history, capable leadership, sound governance, financial discipline, and a demonstrated ability to serve the community effectively. The Foundation does not typically support early-stage organizations, small projects or organizations with limited reach, or requests that fall outside our geographic and charitable priorities.

The Foundation also considers whether a request reflects a clear understanding of the existing community landscape. We are generally skeptical of efforts that duplicate services already being provided effectively by other organizations, particularly when collaboration, coordination, or partnership would better serve the community. Organizations seeking support should be prepared to explain how their work fits within the broader field, who they collaborate with, and why the proposed work is needed.

Grants

Grantseekers wishing to apply to the Lozier Foundation should begin by reviewing the Mission, Values, Funding Priorities and Funding Eligibility Statements.

The Lozier Foundation grant applications include: Capital Application; Education Application; General Application; and Program Application.

Organizations may receive general operating, program, and capital grants. While The Lozier Foundation prefers to provide ongoing general operating support, organizations can receive a program and/or capital grant in the same calendar year.

Lozier Foundation Program Application

Funding Priorities

• Education
• Women & Girls
• North Omaha Initiatives
• Human Services

The Program Application follows the foundation guidelines provided here.

Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(2) status in Nebraska communities served by NorthWestern Energy can receive funding for education, health and human services, civic projects, culture and arts, and resource conservation initiatives. NorthWestern Energy provides support primarily for programs, equipment, and facility improvements rather than overhead expenses.

Nebraska 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities can seek grants over More than US $10,000 for basic needs, healthcare, education, arts, and support for veterans and first responders. Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation prioritizes rural communities and areas served by Pinnacle Bank and Bank of Colorado, including Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado.

Focused on education, religion, and community programs, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations in Nebraska’s western panhandle and extreme northeast Colorado can seek support from the Thomas D. Buckley Trust. Eligible nonprofits must demonstrate sound financial management and submit an IRS exemption letter and board list; trustees review requests monthly.

Nebraska nonprofits, schools, government agencies, and other eligible organizations can seek funding for firearms safety, shooting sports education, and marksmanship programs. Focused on community safety and outdoor recreation, the NRA Foundation invites Nebraska applicants to support educational and public service initiatives with grants ranging from US $3,000 - US $5,000.

Nebraska nonprofits focused on financial literacy or employment readiness can access funding through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa for general operating support. 501(c)(3) organizations serving Cass, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Saunders, or Washington counties may receive up to US $5,000 to address barriers to financial stability and strengthen community financial health.

Siouxland Community Foundation supports Nebraska nonprofits and local government units serving Wakefield with project grants up to US $1,000 in arts and culture, civic improvement, education, environment, health, and human services. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must provide a 50% match and propose initiatives that enhance quality of life for Wakefield residents.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing community services in Nebraska can seek support for a wide variety of charitable programs and activities. Grants from S N And Gloria Wolbach Charitable Foundation help groups serving Hall, Hamilton, Howard, Merrick counties and the Village of Wolbach continue “Sharing Kindness Today and Tomorrow.”

Nebraska 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in military and veteran services, senior communities, education, or the arts can seek support for community-impact programs. With a mission to create game-changing effects in communities, Burlington Capital provides foundation grants focused on Nebraska and Iowa, with quarterly review meetings and deadlines one week before each session.

Nonprofits, government entities, and faith-based organizations providing community social services in Nebraska can seek project funding that improves quality of life in Washington County. With a mission to strengthen local charitable work, Washington County Community Foundation supports arts, education, health, youth, parks, historic preservation, and other community projects that show existing local financial support and offer lasting community benefit.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and groups with a qualifying fiscal sponsor in Nebraska can seek support for programs or projects that enhance quality of life in the Kearney area and surrounding communities. Grants from Kearney Area Community Foundation help Nebraska nonprofits across areas like education, health, human services, arts, and community development implement charitable initiatives.

Nebraska 501(c)(3) nonprofits and University of Nebraska departments can seek approximately US $100,000 to launch or expand bold, innovative projects serving Nebraskans. With a mission to empower women philanthropists, University of Nebraska Foundation’s Women Investing in Nebraska program makes two annual grants for urgent needs or new approaches to persistent community challenges.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Lincoln, Nebraska can apply for up to US $10,000 to support arts, education, civic engagement, human services, and anti-poverty programs. Woods Charitable Fund backs pilot projects, innovative initiatives, operational support, and coalition-building efforts, with special consideration for work benefiting refugees, immigrants, youth, and families in the Lincoln community.

Nebraska 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving seniors, advancing community health, or supporting ELCA church ministries can access funding through Immanuel Vision Foundation, with awards around US $75,000. Eligible projects must benefit Nebraska or select Iowa counties and demonstrate strong leadership, financial stability, clear objectives, and diversified funding for the proposed program.

Nebraska community groups and individuals seeking support for local development, youth, or community services can apply for grants that enhance the greater Shickley community. Grants from Shickley Community Foundation help Nebraska nonprofits and other local partners strengthen community development, economic growth, and quality of life for residents in and around Fillmore County.

Municipalities, nonprofit or government first responder departments, and rural fire districts in Nebraska and select southwest Iowa counties can receive up to US $50,000 for safety equipment, training, and facility improvements. Walter Scott Family Foundation’s Jack Lewis Safety Fund prioritizes small communities (5,000 or fewer residents) that show local fundraising and collaborative support for their projects.

Nebraska nonprofits focused on community betterment projects in Fremont can access funding through Fremont Area Community Foundation to support programs, services, or capital projects that serve all Fremont residents. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations or FACF-sponsored projects must operate primarily within the City of Fremont and provide a 50% match for project costs.

Omaha Community Foundation

The Foundation was created in 1982, first functioning primarily as a charitable bank for Omaha and Southwest Iowa philanthropists. Since then, our community knowledge has grown, programming has expanded, partnerships have been forged, and the Omaha Community Foundation has become a regional thought leader in philanthropy and community investment.

Our Mission: We maximize the power of philanthropy to strengthen our community.

Donna Kennedy Schatz Foundation Grant

An Early Childhood Development Initiative

Powered by Blue Sage Impact in partnership with OCF, the Donna Kennedy Schatz Foundation was established in Omaha in honor of Mrs. Schatz, a dedicated Omaha resident for more than 75 years.

Programmatic Emphasis

This Foundation is centered on early childhood, defined here as prenatal through 8 years old, in order to support a strong start to life. The Foundation will fund organizations and initiatives that support education, wrap-around services, or ecosystem-level infrastructure. Specifically, the themes of the foundation include:

• Supporting caregiver relationships with children through training, wraparound supports, and engaging experiences. We define caregivers as trusted adults in a child’s life, including parents, extended family and educators.
• Championing high quality early education opportunities that build a strong foundation of literacy and are grounded in the future of learning.
• Elevating intergenerational connections through places and programs that combat the isolation epidemic. We envision these programs to strengthen bonds between older adults and young children.

Target Populations: Marginalized communities of Omaha, Nebraska

Funding Structure: Exploration Grants

Given the dramatically changing funding landscape and trickle-down effects on programs, we are structuring the exploration grants as flexibly as possible: providing resources for “thinking time.” Organizations or partnerships can use this funding to support an exploration or planning process to consider what the future looks like for their program(s).

We will provide 10–15 philanthropic grants ranging from $15,000–$25,000. There is flexibility in the use of funds (e.g., planning retreat; consultant assistance with data/strategy development; general operations for staff time; etc.), whatever would be most helpful to leadership to explore and think through.

Grant period: 6 months to 1 year

Nebraska nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status working in arts and culture, education, environment, health and human services, or community and economic development can access funding through Pacific Life Foundation for program, operating, or capital projects. Eligible organizations primarily serve the greater Omaha area and may receive multi-year program support or larger capital campaign grants ranging from US $15,000 - US $100,000.

The Grow Your Impact Grant, offered by the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, aims to enhance nonprofit effectiveness in Hall County. Grants of up to $10,000 support projects such as board training, staff education, strategic planning, and technology upgrades. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, with a focus on sustainability and broad community impact. The Foundation encourages collaboration and innovation, ensuring resources are directed towards underrepresented groups and essential services.

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 531.299.9653.

Greater Nebraska Initiatives

Through these grants, The Sherwood Foundation promotes equity and inclusion as pathways for creating the good life for all in Nebraska.  Core areas of work include child welfare, immigrant inclusion, housing, advocacy & civic engagement, leadership, and community infrastructure. Requests from communities outside of the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas are considered during standard grant cycles.

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.

Operating Grants

The Sherwood Foundation® believes that providing operating support can make all the difference to nonprofit organizations by providing flexible funding to cover the ongoing costs of day-to-day operations (administrative/overhead). This type of support can free nonprofits to become more strategic about how they address community issues, craft internal solutions to enhance effectiveness, and build organizational infrastructure.

Nebraska 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for health, education, or recreation programs can apply for community grants serving Midwest Bank communities. Jim B. & Lillian F. Cooper Foundation supports organizations in Pilger, Creighton, Deshler, Lincoln, Norfolk, Pierce, Plainview, Wisner, and York that advance local well-being through these focus areas.

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.