It was standing room only at the reception, but everyone in the record-breaking crowd found a place at the table for the Nebraska Community Foundation’s annual banquet.
This event celebrates the successful partnerships between NCF and its 224 affiliated funds across the state. This year’s theme, Partnering for Progress, reflects the philanthropic efforts and outcomes driven by volunteers and donors all across Nebraska.
“You are an amazing set of pioneers. You are not just volunteers; you are producers of the future of America,” said guest speaker John McKnight, world-renowned author and co-director of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute at Northwestern University. “No one is doing what you are doing. You are making the path by walking it. You are creating a culture of giving. Wow!”
“Our goal is to strengthen local community leadership with the skills and knowledge to think and act strategically about the power of philanthropy,” said Jeff Yost, NCF president and CEO.
Yost went on to announce a new collaboration with The Sherwood Foundation of Omaha, which will provide challenge grants of up to $250,000 to build unrestricted endowments in several of NCF’s community-based affiliated funds.
Major sponsors for the annual events were Pinnacle Bank, Union Bank and the Omaha Office of Westwood Trust. For more information about the Nebraska Community Foundation, please visit nebcommfound.org or call (402) 323-7330.