Advancing Communities

Geographic Scope: Nebraska and southwest Iowa (Mills, Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties)

Program Overview: 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 — the foundation encourages neighbors to get out and explore.

Focus Areas:

• 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

Funding Priorities:

• Projects 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
• Projects showing clear plans for long-term maintenance, sustainability and measurable community benefit
• Projects that have met a minimum of 60% of total funding needed
• Projects demonstrating strong local support from citizens and businesses
• Projects involving public/private partnerships
• Projects showing innovation or creative benefit to the community
• Projects engaging the next generation of community members

Eligible Applicants:

• Municipalities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Must own or manage community-serving facilities
• Must be independent of school systems, colleges or universities

Eligibility Requirements:

• Located in Nebraska or southwest Iowa (Mills, Harrison, Pottawattamie Counties)
• Project must be owned or managed by a municipality or nonprofit organization
• Projects should be independent of school systems, colleges or universities
• Support may be requested for capital funding of new projects or improvements to existing spaces
• Must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization OR government entity as defined in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code

General Considerations:

• The same project or request will not be considered by another Scott family foundation within the same calendar year
• Organizations may inquire about different projects or funding needs
• Funding announcements made throughout the year
• Foundation staff will advise on timeline

What Foundation Does Not Fund:

• Standalone childcare centers or early childhood education
• Educational institutions or schools
• Hospitals and medical centers
• Religious organizations or churches
• Golf courses
• Fundraising events
• Support to individuals
• Support to individuals
• Fundraising events, endowments or annual campaigns
• Programs that are the fundamental responsibility of government
• Elementary or secondary schools
• Churches or religious organizations (not including social services organizations with a faith-based heritage)
• Advocacy- or lobbying-based organizations
• Programs or organizations contrary to principles of free enterprise system
• Social or fraternal organizations
• Athletic team sponsorships

Municipalities and nonprofit organizations that own or manage community facilities in Nebraska or southwest Iowa (Mills, Harrison and Pottawattamie counties); projects must have secured at least 60% of total funding.

Application Process

Submission Method: Online grant portal only

First-Time Applicants: Must create an organization profile before applying

Application Steps:

1. Review eligibility, restrictions and funding priorities
2. Complete the online application through the Foundation's grant portal
3. Include details on project scope, community engagement and secured funding
4. Submit application at any time (rolling basis)

Required Information:

• Project scope details
• Community engagement plan
• Documentation of secured funding (must show 60% minimum secured)
• Project budget (itemized)
• Timeline for project completion
• Plans for long-term maintenance and sustainability
• Evidence of local support from citizens and businesses
• Details on partnerships and collaborations

Timeline:

• Applications can be submitted at any time (rolling acceptance)
• Funding announcements made throughout the year
• Foundation staff will advise on specific review timeline
• Email confirmation of receipt provided
• Applicants notified of outcome via email or phone call
• Foundation staff will contact applicants directly if additional information is needed