Nebraska Community Foundation
Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) is a statewide community foundation headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Established in 1994, NCF operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity that empowers communities throughout Nebraska to grow and prosper through philanthropy, community development, and economic development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$256.4M
+13.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.8M
-16.7% YoY
Grant Count
370
+19.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$37K
-30.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: "We unleash abundant local assets, inspire charitable giving, and connect ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska."
Vision: Nebraska is a place where hometowns are achieving their dreams.
NCF's work addresses out-migration of young people from rural Nebraska communities and focuses on building strong local economies, high quality of life, and abundant leadership and volunteer opportunities. The organization teaches local leaders how to raise their own funds and make grants based on local development priorities.
Primary focus areas include:
- Economic development
- Education
- Human services
- Community development and capacity building
Grantmaking
Grant applications are managed through individual affiliated community funds rather than through a centralized NCF process. Prospective applicants should contact their local affiliated community fund directly, as each of the 252 affiliated funds manages its own grant-making process and priorities.
Grant Range
$1,000 - $100,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Nebraska statewide, with affiliated funds operating in 270 communities across the state. The organization also maintains donor-advised funds through which donors can direct distribution or investment of funds.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets (as of June 2024):
- Total assets: $256,373,144
- Endowed assets: $164 million
- Total liabilities: $1,650,000
Revenue & Expenses (Fiscal Year 2024):
- Total revenues: $66,506,049
- Total expenses: $36,668,298
Historical Assets:
- 2019: $181,756,864
- 2018: $148,251,745
Staffing:
- 54 employees (as of 2024)
- 23 employees reported in alternative source (with noted growth of +10.7% year-over-year)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $256,373,144 | $226,685,574 | $227,749,373 |
| Revenue | $66,506,049 | $51,510,146 | $20,781,363 |
| Expenses | $36,668,298 | $53,772,504 | $39,893,971 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,401,856 | $1,147,206 | $542,080 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
17 open opportunities from Nebraska Community Foundation
Atkinson Community Foundation Fund Grant
NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
BCAFF Scholarships: Butler County Clinic Scholarship Grant
NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
More than US $2,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
BCAFF Scholarships: Charles O. & Grace M. Stoops Scholarship in Agricultural or Environmental Studies Grant
NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
More than US $1,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ralston Economic Development Corporation ($750,000), Omaha Performing Arts Society ($575,000), City of Bassett ($509,100).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| RALSTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION RALSTON, NE | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT | $750,000 |
| OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY OMAHA, NE | VOICES AMPLIFIED | $575,000 |
| CITY OF BASSETT BASSETT, NE | SWIMMING POOL SUPPORT | $509,100 |
| HERITAGE SERVICES OMAHA, NE | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT | $500,000 |
| OMAHA DISCOVERY TRUST OMAHA, NE | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500,000 |
| JOSLYN ART MUSEUM OMAHA, NE | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $400,000 |
| VALLEY COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION ORD, NE | EQUIPMENT UPGRADE | $300,250 |
| CITY OF SIDNEY SIDNEY, NE | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT | $300,000 |
| GREATER OMAHA CHAMBER FOUNDATION OMAHA, NE | PROSPER 2.0 PROJECT | $300,000 |
| BRAIN BUILDERS EARLY CHILDHOOD & FAMILY DEV INC STUART, NE | AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM | $299,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAM PAVELKA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BETH ROELFS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BEV HANSEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHUCK HIBBERD | VICE CHAIR | 3 | — |
| CINDY HUFF | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| DALE DUELAND | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR | 3 | — |
| DAN BAHENSKY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JANE MORELAND | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFF GERHART | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JIM WELNIAK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN MIYOSHI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KARINA PEREZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KENT WARNEKE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KIEL VANDERVEEN | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| KIM ENGEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KURT KRUSE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MEGAN HELBERG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NICOLE SEDLACEK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAM ABBOTT | CHAIR | 4 | — |
| PAUL MADISON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARAH SINNETT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TYLER PRIBBENO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JASON KENNEDY | CFAO | 40 | $216,138 |
| JEFFREY G YOST | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $333,045 |
| KERRY BELITZ | COO | 40 | $98,318 |
| CARRIE MALEK-MADANI | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | 40 | $111,167 |
| JANNY CROTTY | DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $104,039 |
| KIMBERLY BILDER | DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AFFAIRS | 40 | $110,300 |
| LES LONG | CONTROLLER | 40 | $112,738 |
| TODD MECKELBURG | DIRECTOR OF GIFT PLANNING | 40 | $126,739 |
Contact Information
Address: 8100 S. 15th Street, Suite A Lincoln, NE 68512-9438
Mailing Address: PO Box 83107 Lincoln, NE 68501
Phone: (402) 323-7330
Email: info@nebcommfound.org
Website: nebcommfound.org
EIN: 47-0769903
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Nebraska Community Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** "We unleash abundant local assets, inspire charitable giving, and connect ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska." **Vision:** Nebraska is a place where hometowns are achieving their dreams. NCF's work addresses out-migration of young people from rural Nebraska communities and focuses on building strong local economies, high quality of life, and abundant leadership and volunteer opportunities. The organization teaches local leaders how to ra…
How do I apply for a grant from Nebraska Community Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024):** • Annual giving: $15,372,754 • Number of awards: 370 grants • Typical grant range: $1,000 - $100,000 **Historical Impact:** • Since 1994, the NCF network has reinvested over $463 million in Nebraska hometowns • $172 million distributed in the past five years (as of 2024) • 2019 domestic grants: $10,151,252 **Application Process:** Grant applications are managed through individual affiliated community funds rather than through a centralized NCF process. Prospective app…
Where does Nebraska Community Foundation make grants?
Nebraska statewide, with affiliated funds operating in 270 communities across the state. The organization also maintains donor-advised funds through which donors can direct distribution or investment of funds.
What size grants does Nebraska Community Foundation award?
In 2024, Nebraska Community Foundation awarded 370 grants totaling $13.8M — an average of about $37K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Nebraska Community Foundation's EIN?
Nebraska Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-0769903. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Nebraska Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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