Best Grants for International Development in Nebraska

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Nebraska working with children, education, or health and human services can seek program funding through the Costco Foundation’s charitable contributions. With a mission to strengthen community well-being, Costco Foundation provides monetary support for evidence-based programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes, community collaboration, and a broad base of financial backing.

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

Early-stage, impact-first nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits in Nebraska working on scalable social or environmental solutions for underserved communities can apply for Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation support, with awards up to US $300,000. Organizations focused on international development that are post-pilot, under 10 years old, and positioned to reach at least 10,000 people may be competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and public agencies in Nebraska’s greater Grand Island area can seek funding for community projects, programs, and events that improve local quality of life. Greater Grand Island Community Foundation supports community services in Hall County and nearby counties with invitation-only discretionary grants over US $10,000, typically covering up to one-third of project costs.

Nonprofits and NGOs using technology to advance crisis response, education access, or economic empowerment can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants, including in Nebraska. Grants from Cisco Systems Foundation help international development and related organizations serving mostly economically underserved communities scale innovative, tech-enabled solutions, with awards up to US $100,000 and a two-step LOI and full application process.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental agencies in Cairo, Nebraska can seek funding for unmet charitable needs and unique community programs, with awards up to US $9,999. Grants from Greater Grand Island Community Foundation help Nebraska community service and philanthropy efforts that reach local residents and address essential or emerging issues; applicants are urged to consult staff before applying.

Nonprofit organizations working on health, education, or community services in Nebraska can seek funding for food pantries, healthcare access, STEM programs, or preventive health initiatives. Labcorp Charitable Foundation provides support to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) or equivalent charities, which may benefit international development efforts connected to community health and education.

Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(2) status in Nebraska communities served by NorthWestern Energy can seek support for education, health and human services, civic projects, culture and the arts, and resource conservation. NorthWestern Energy provides monetary donations, favoring program, equipment, or facility improvements over overhead costs, with applications reviewed year-round by local committees.

Nebraska international development organizations can access funding through Semnani Family Foundation to support health, education, and humanitarian relief programs for marginalized communities worldwide. The foundation backs initiatives such as healthcare access, disaster relief, child welfare, women’s services, and literacy in countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the U.S.

Nebraska 501(c)(3) organizations running charitable, educational, scientific, or medical programs can access funding through the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust for work carried out in the U.S. Eligible nonprofits must be tax-exempt under federal law, and where applicable California law, and may include groups whose domestic efforts connect to international development goals.

Nebraska 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for community development, basic needs, workforce education, arts, environment, or inclusion programs can apply for sponsorship funding that advances economic mobility and social progress. Grants from Bank of America Charitable Foundation help organizations whose work may include international development components within low- and moderate-income communities.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Lincoln, Nebraska can seek up to US $10,000 to support arts and culture, civic and community initiatives, education, and human services programs that benefit local residents. Woods Charitable Fund favors collaborative, innovative projects, including efforts that may connect local work to global or international development perspectives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving senior care, community health, or ELCA church ministries in Nebraska can receive funding from Immanuel Community Vision Foundation. Grants support programs meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of seniors and advancing community health. Eligible projects must benefit Nebraska or select nearby Iowa counties, with awards around US $75,000.

With a mission to strengthen local communities, Springfield Community Foundation provides Nebraska nonprofits and other tax-exempt organizations with funding for education, arts, wellbeing, and economic development projects. Eligible applicants must serve the City of Springfield or Springfield Platteview Community Schools district, which may include organizations whose international development work is connected to these local communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or groups with a fiscal sponsor serving African Americans in Omaha, Nebraska can apply for Omaha Community Foundation’s African American Unity Fund; awards up to US $30,000 for community-focused programs. Funding may support arts and culture, basic needs, community development, health and wellness, or capacity building initiatives.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Nebraska tourism and visitor promotion organizations can apply for the Nebraska Tourism Commission’s Expedited Off Cycle Grant to fund creative marketing tools that attract more visitors. Eligible projects include marketing for international volleyball events in a metropolitan-class city and tourism promotion through exhibits and trails along the Missouri River near a first-class city.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on humanitarian, education, health, poverty relief, or related programs can apply for Robinson Foundation support; funding is limited to groups serving the Southern U.S. region. Nebraska international development organizations may be eligible if they also operate below the Mason-Dixon line and meet the three-year activity requirement.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

Nebraska nonprofits and 501(c)(3) organizations working on poverty, disability, humanitarian aid, or social services can access funding through Gupta Family Foundation, with awards from US $5,000 - US $250,000. Smaller organizations with revenues between $300,000 and $3,000,000 and strong, founder-led leadership may be eligible for annual or multi-year international development support.

Nebraska nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status can seek funding for arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community or economic development programs and capital projects. Nebraska organizations, especially in the greater Omaha area, can access funding through Pacific Life Foundation to support multi-year program costs or major capital campaigns serving broad local populations.

Nonprofit and other eligible organizations seeking capacity-building support for community services in Nebraska can use this grant for board and staff training, strategic planning, technology upgrades, and critical equipment. With a mission to empower people to strengthen local communities, Greater Grand Island Community Foundation provides up to US $10,000 for projects primarily serving Hall County.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1958, the foundation prioritizes investments that align with its mission and values, promoting long-term well-being within communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities located within 30 miles of GP manufacturing sites.

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.