June 22, 2010
Kearney, NE:  The Kearney Area Community Foundation announced that they will be awarding grants to area organization in July.  Applications will be accepted on a bi-annual basis with deadlines of July 1 and January 1. Application forms may be secured online at www.kearneyfoundation.org or by calling (308) 237-3114.

Organizations are encouraged to read the grants guidelines to determine if the organization qualifies for a grant.  The second step is to fill out the application, the third step is to make nine copies, and the final step is to mail or deliver the application and copies to Kearney Area Community Foundation, PO Box 1694, 2207 Central Ave, Kearney, NE  68848 by the deadline, July 5^th (NOTE: the deadline was extended!).

The KACF awards grants in eight fields of interest:

-   Arts/Culture
-   Health
-   Community/Civic
-   Human Services
-   Economic Development
-   Recreation
-   Education
-   Religion (non-denominational)

If you have any questions please call 308-237-3114 or email the Community Foundation at kacf@kearneyfoundation.org.

June 16, 2010
Lincoln, Neb. – Leaders from ServeNebraska will be in Kearney on Thursday June 24, as part of a statewide Listening Tour to identify the most pressing needs in local communities and explore potential service solutions. This free session will take place at:

Ramada Inn and Conference Center, Dahlia Room – 501 2nd Ave, from 2:00-4:00 pm

“We are really excited about this opportunity to visit local communities and hear directly from people what they think about local needs. Nebraska has consistently ranked high in national studies on rates of volunteer activity. We are confident that there are passionate opinions throughout Nebraska and a willingness to explore ideas using service as a strategy to address the local needs,” states ServeNebraska Executive Director Barbara Wilson Thomas.

“This is a very exciting time for community and national service, with increased enthusiasm and support for initiatives at all levels. I am very optimistic and hope that there will be a strong turnout. Whether you are with a business, community agency, educational group, service club, or are just a concerned citizen you have a valuable voice,” adds Judi Sickler, Executive Director of the Kearney Area Community Foundation. The Kearney Area Community Foundation along with the University of Nebraska – Kearney Office of Service Learning are lead agencies for the Rural Corps of South Central Nebraska, an AmeriCorps program supported by ServeNebraska.

Other stops on the Listening Tour being conducted during June and July are in Scottsbluff/Gering, North Platte, Columbus, Omaha and Lincoln. Input from the Listening Tour will help in the development of a state service plan that will serve as a guide for future programs and investments that support service and volunteerism activities. The federal Serve America Act signed into law by President Obama in April 2009 charges ServeNebraska with creating a statewide plan.

Learn more and register to attend at www.serve.nebraska.gov . Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Anyone concerned about their local community needs should attend to offer ideas!

ServeNebraska mobilizes Nebraskans to strengthen their communities through volunteering, collaboration, and national service programs. Current initiatives include managing AmeriCorps programming, coordinating volunteer recognition through a statewide Awards program, and promoting the involvement of all Nebraskans through disability inclusion efforts.

CONTACTS:
Judi Sickler, 308- 237-3114
Kearney Area Community Foundation
judi@kearneyfoundation.org 

Barbara Wilson Thomas, 402-471-6227
ServeNebraska
Barbara.thomas@nebraska.gov

January 18, 2010
The Kearney Area Community Foundation announced they will partner with the Peter Kiewit Foundation to distribute $20,000 in emergency relief grant funds for the second year in a row.

The Peter Kiewit Foundation invited Kearney Area Community Foundation to partner in this effort based on its geographic location, organizational reputation, and administrative capacity to provide good stewardship of Mr. Kiewit’s charitable dollars.  Judi Sickler, Executive Director of Kearney Area Community Foundation said, “We are proud to partner with the Peter Kiewit Foundation in distributing these grant funds for another year.” 

Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein, Executive Director of the Peter Kiewit Foundation said in a letter to the Kearney Area Community Foundation that “The Peter Kiewit Foundation is pleased to extend this helping hand to fellow Nebraskans who are in need during these difficult economic times.”  

Relief funds have been designated to help organizations with established practices meet essential human needs during these difficult economic times and cold prairie winter months. Sickler said, “The Kearney Area Community Foundation has identified recipient agencies and will work directly with these program directors to meet emergency food and energy assistance needs in the Kearney area.  We will be providing assistance through Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska, the Kearney office of the Salvation Army and the Kearney Jubilee Center as they currently work together to help our community folks in need.” 

Grant funds will be used to provide emergency rent/mortgage assistance through Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska; food assistance through the Salvation Army; and perishable food vouchers for the food pantry at the Kearney Jubilee Center.

Sickler said, “Although we recognize that the need is likely to be far greater than the assistance we are able to provide, we are hopeful more families will remain safe and warm in their own homes through the winter months.  We are blessed to have the generous support of the Kiewit Foundation yet again in our community.”

December 17, 2009
Kearney, NE: The Kearney Area Community Foundation announced that they will be awarding grants to area organization in January. Applications will be accepted on a bi-annual basis with deadlines of January 1 and July 1. Application forms may be secured online at www.kearneyfoundation.org or by calling (308) 237-3114.

Organizations are encouraged to read the grants guidelines to determine if the organization qualifies for a grant. The second step is to fill out the application, the third step is to make nine copies, and the final step is to mail or deliver the application and copies to Kearney Area Community Foundation, PO Box 1694, 2207 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68848 by the deadline, January 1, 2010.

 The KACF awards grants in eight fields of interest:
- Arts/Culture
- Health
- Community/Civic
- Human Services
- Economic Development
- Recreation
- Education
- Religion (non-denominational)

If you have any questions please call 308-237-3114 or email the Community Foundation at kacf@kearneyfoundation.org