How much funding does Advancing Communities provide?

Advancing Communities provides Up to $250,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for Advancing Communities?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

Advancing Communities

Foundation Rolling (Quarterly) Grants for Community Centers Community Development Grants Recreation Grants Grants for Museums

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Funding Amount

Up to $250,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Advancing Communities

Status: Open and actively accepting applications (pilot phase launched 2024)

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

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

Contact Information:
Address: 10340 N 84th Street, Omaha, NE 68112
Phone: (402) 502-0062

How to Apply

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

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Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

community-centerscommunity-developmentrecreationmuseums

Related Grants

Similar grants from this funder and related organizations

Foundation

California Library Association

Amount

Up to US $3,500

Deadline

Rolling / Open

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Advancing Communities

Overview

Advancing Communities

How to Apply

Application Process

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

Categories

Related Grants

USGAA Structural Grant

Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids, and Seniors Grant (NY BRICKS) (NY)

Park Grants Program

CPAC Grants (Cincinnati Parks Advisory Council Grants)

InnerSpace

USA 250 Semiquincentennial Funding Opportunity for California Public Libraries Grant

Ready to apply for Advancing Communities?