We provide grants to nonprofit organizations located and working in Nebraska, primarily in our geographic priority area of Lincoln and Lancaster County. We fund programs and operations in the areas of the Arts, Civic and Community Engagement, Education, Environment, Human Services, and Humanities. Organizations must provide strong programming and evidence of sound governance and fiscal management.
Rapid Response Grants Recap
Learn about the Rapid Response grants awarded in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. Click here for the Recap.
Asian Community and Cultural Center: $25,000
Support for citizenship classes and naturalization application assistance for immigrants and refugees in Lincoln.
Carnegie Arts Center (Alliance, NE): $10,000
To support arts education and community engagement programs in western Nebraska. Carnegie Arts Center is a fine arts facility that offers people of all ages opportunities for cultural expression and enjoyment of the visual, performing, and literary arts.
Cause Collective: $10,000
Towards general operating to support Cause Collective’s growing membership and services.
Honesty Project: $5,000
To support professional contracted services. The H.O.N.E.S.T.y Project works with at-risk youth and incarcerated individuals preparing for release by providing practical skills training, mentorship, community engagement, and opportunities to build sustainable careers.
Live Yes Studios: $20,000
General operating support. LYS supports adults with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities by providing a structured day program with a professional studio environment. Instructors work together with resident artists to offer opportunities for learning, artistic growth, collaboration and gallery exhibition.
Mid-America Arts Alliance (Kansas City, MO): $12,500
Support for programs in Nebraska to build the capacity of the arts community. M-AAA serves as the regional arts organization dedicated to supporting the arts across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Their goal is to provide “more art for more people” by fostering collaborations and partnerships that enrich artistic expression and community impact.
Nebraska Cultural Endowment: $10,000
General operating support for the arts and humanities in Nebraska.
Nebraska Diaper Bank (Omaha, NE): $10,000
Support for services in Lincoln and Lancaster County to address diaper needs for low-income families.
Nebraska Land Trust: $15,000
General operating support for land conservation efforts of Nebraska’s most important agricultural, historical, and natural resources.
Nebraska Sports Council: $15,000
Towards technology upgrades for this organization that works statewide to provide quality competitions for amateur athletes of all ages and abilities, and promotes healthy and active lifestyle choices.
Poverty Impact Network/Lincoln Hygiene Bank: $10,000
Support for the Executive Director position for the Lincoln Hygiene Bank, which works with schools, nonprofits and community partners to provide essential hygiene and personal care items throughout Lincoln-Lancaster County for individuals and families in need.
Share A Fare (Omaha, NE): $10,000
Funding for Lincoln services that support transportation for the blind and visually impaired through a cab subsidy program and rideshare reimbursement program.
Sunrise Communications/KZUM: $20,000
General operating support. KZUM is Lincoln’s only independent, community radio station.
United Way of Lincoln/Lancaster County: $22,500
2024 annual campaign.
Visionary Youth: $15,000
General operating support for Visionary Youth, which serves families and underserved and underrepresented youth with mentoring and mental health support and community events.
Centro Hispano Communitario de Nebraska (Columbus, NE): $10,000
General operating support to provide programs and services to communities in northeast Nebraska. Centro Hispano predominantly serves immigrant families, learners, and entrepreneurs in Platte, Colfax, and Madison counties.
The 36th season of the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues will feature a trio of best-selling authors and a well-known astrophysicist and science advocate. The Forum has established itself as one of the preeminent speakers series in higher education. The series brings to Nebraska thought provoking lectures by speakers whose work and ideas impact our changing world. The Forum is a cooperative project of the Cooper Foundation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lied Center for Performing Arts, and University Honors Program.
The 2024-25 season is organized around the theme “Lessons from the Natural World” and will explore the beauty, wonder and wisdom of our living planet and vast universe.
Free tickets at the door or in advance: ENTHOMPSON.UNL.EDU