The Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF, NebraskaHometown.org) network reached a major milestone in 2023, reinvesting more than $500 million throughout greater Nebraska in just under 30 years of community building work.

There are currently 245 affiliated funds in the NCF network serving 269 communities in 81 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. In the most recent fiscal year (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023), NCF affiliated funds reinvested $54 million in their communities through grants and disbursements – the most in a single year since NCF’s establishment in 1994. The NCF network ended the fiscal year with $227 million in total assets.

Across the NCF network, all grantmaking is determined at the local level according to local needs and priorities. This past year, volunteers have used their resources to fund ESL classes in Perkins County, a new aquatic center in Waverly, an early childhood center for Loup and Garfield counties, the ongoing cultural exchange between southwest Nebraska and North Omaha, an all-day interactive science event in Pender, housing efforts in Keith County and so much more.

The NCF network convenes November 9 at Kearney’s Younes Conference Center for its 2023 Annual Fund Training and Celebration, themed “Dreams Inspire Dreams.” NCF volunteers and fellow ambitious Nebraskans will gather for a day of peer learning and training on a variety of topics including fundraising, marketing, impact grantmaking, community economic development and more.

For information about the Nebraska Community Foundation, visit NebraskaHometown.org.