Apply for a 2024 Grant

We want to see your community thrive just as much as you do. And we’re doing everything we can to help.

Aksarben community grants have been a staple of the Aksarben mission since some of our earliest days. We have granted funds all across Nebraska and look forward to receiving new applications each year speaking of new projects taking shape, and how we can help you impact your communities through this work.

Our application deadline has closed for 2023, but we’re still anxious to hear from you! Please let us know what projects are taking shape in your area so we can help shine a spotlight!

Community Grants

Aksarben Community Grants are selected and intended for projects budgeted up to $10,000 in total. The maximum grant awarded $1,000 and all grant awards are contingent upon a matching gift component. While you may submit your application at any point throughout the year, the deadline each year is March 15 and grant recipients are notified by April 1 of the same year in which the awards are sent out. For additional information on the application process, please contact: info@aksarben.org

The 2022 Aksarben Community Grant Recipients are:

Prime Time Family Reading in Hastings
Created by: Humanities Nebraska
Grant awarded: $1,000
For 20 years, Humanities Nebraska has offered Prime Time Family Reading, a 6-week program of reading, discussion and storytelling that brings the humanities to underserved children and their parents. Designed for low-income families in communities where student reading scores do not meet Nebraska state standards. Prime Time encourages parents and children to bond around the activity of reading rather than passively watching television during "prime-time" hours.
"Humanities Nebraska is grateful for Aksarben's support in helping Prime Time grow and the humanities flourish in Nebraska. "
Working for Literacy
Created by: Literacy Council of Grand Island
Grant awarded: $1,000
Grand Island is a diverse, growing city. The American Community Survey's 5-year estimates indicate that 14% of Hall County residents were born outside of the US. More than 10% of residents struggle with low English literacy, which is twice the rate for Nebraska overall. The Literacy Council of Grand Island provides literacy education through our four pillars of programming: one-on-one tutoring, group classes, language and learning lab, and community connection center. These resources help build bridges and ensure that literacy education remains accessible to everyone regardless of age, background, income, race, or religion.
"We believe in the power of education, community, and collaboration! We are beyond excited for this gift!"
Hunger and Homelessness Prevention
Created by: Heartland Hope Mission
Grant awarded: $1,000
Heartland Hope Mission's primary program is the Hunger and Homelessness Prevention Program, through which food, clothing, hygiene products and household goods are provided to working poor, low-income families facing crisis. Additional services are offered to help clients access SNAP (food stamps), utility or rental assistance, employment or job training, and meal/grocery deliveries.
"In South Omaha, 16% of our neighbors worry that their food will run out before they can afford to purchase more. We are honored that we can help them ease this fear. "
Haigler Welcome Center
Created by: Haigler Community Foundation
Grant awarded: $1,000
Working with Dundy County Tourism, State Tourism, and other community entities to make the Conoco Station Museum into a welcome center for tourism in our tri-state area. The Haigler Community Foundation is operated entirely by community volunteers. This project fits into our mission of 'improving the quality' of life in Haigler and Dundy County and surrounding communities.
"This project is another step toward helping our small, rural community stay alive and well, and also contributing to our county and state tourism goals."
DIY Emergency Go Bag
Created by: East Central Long Term Recovery Group
Grant awarded: $1,000
During the floods of 2019, many were not prepared to either evacuate or shelter-in-place. Confused, people did not know what to take with them or have available. Through education and a readiness plan, we are helping those in the areas most hard hit develop GO KITs to help them with peace of mind and preparedness.
"We are excited and very grateful to be in a position to help residents in these areas have a plan."
Cozad Swimming Pool Restoration
Created by: City of Cozad
Grant awarded: $1,000
The City of Cozad is dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life for its residents and Phase I of the public outdoor pool improvement plan will help meet the public demand. Located in Muny Park, the pool provides summer recreation for over 120 people daily with organized swim teams, swimming lessons, and water sports such as a climbing wall, water basketball and water aerobics.
"This gift will bring out pool back to meet all safety compliances and updating equipment so our residents, children, and grandchildren can enjoy the pool every summer. "
Nebraska Farmer Publication Library
Created by: Brownville Historical Society
Grant awarded: $1,000
This project will bring awareness of the rich agriculture history of the state and enhance the offering of agriculture history to the public.
"We are thrilled to be able to give access, not only to the general public, but also to 4-H, FFA, and the Nebraska Farm Bureau youth!"
Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Created by: Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation
Grant awarded: $1,000
Nebraska's Veteran population is approximately 130,000 as of 2017. Of these, just over 44,000 identified their period of service as having been during the Vietnam War. Within the next ten years it is estimated that Nebraska will lose nearly 47% of these vets. Constructing a Memorial to honor the service and memory of these men and women is urgent. The memorial is expected to be completed in 2023.
"This memorial will both honor and celebrate the lives of those lost, and we are grateful to Aksarben for the support. "
Siouxland Freedom Park Interpretive Center Exhibits
Created by: Siouxland Freedom Park
Grant awarded: $1,000
The goal of this project is to complete the Interpretive Center Exhibits, which is the last remaining step for the center. Families, friends, classmates, fellow veterans, education groups, etc. all come to the park to reflect and visit the surrounding area. The Interpretive Center, the Freedom Rock, the Vietnam and Korean Memorials will all generate more tourist traffic as the Board and volunteers enhance the area and make it more inviting to visit.
"This gift will be used to help the community complete the Interpretive Center's interactive exhibits allowing veterans to record their history. We are thrilled to have been selected, thank you!"
VOA Western Nebraska Food Pantry Development Project
Created by: Volunteers of America, Lewellen, NE, Inc.
Grant awarded: $1,000
Promoting complete physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being while serving children, families, and communities through self-sufficiency, nurture independence, and promoting positive developmental growth to help Nebraska's most vulnerable. The work of the VOA touches the mind, body, heart, and spirit of those they serve, integrating a deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. Their newly renovated food pantry provides measurable impact to the community.
"On behalf of the VOAWN, I sincerely thank Aksarben! These funds will continue to support our Nebraska Panhandle communities and our combined efforts will not only provide extra much-needed help but will act as a wonderful display of "Service Above Self.” "

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Eligibility

501(c)(3)Organization status.
Project responds to emerging community need and builds upon community resources.
Requires matching funds.
Communities are only eligible for one grant per year.
Funds cannot be used for: political campaigns, lobbying efforts, businesses established for profit, annual fund drives, agency deficits or endowments, salary support, overhead or direct support of religious activities. Secular activities provided by religious organizations may be eligible for funding.

Organization Name*
Tax ID/EIN # for Organization*
Title of Proposed Project*
Organization Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Contact Person*
First Last
Email*
Phone Number*
County*
Do you have matching funds?*
Approximate number of people served if awarded*
Project Narrative*
Must Include:
1. Brief description of community need being addressed and how requested grant funds will be used
2. Goals and objectives to address community need
3. Expected results
4. How is the applying organization working with others in the community to accomplish this goal?
Project Budget: Provide a budget specifying each line item and associated costs and a description of income and expenses related to the project (even if they exceed amount requested).*
Project Budget
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List of current Board of Directors: Please include positions held. Not to exceed 2 pages.*
List of current Board of Directors
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If you have received Aksarben funds in the past 3 years, please describe the most significant achievements from the recent award.*
If you have received Aksarben funds in the past 3 years, please describe the most significant achievements from the recent award.
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Apply for a 2024 Grant

Community Grants

The 2022 Aksarben Community Grant Recipients are:

Prime Time Family Reading in Hastings

Working for Literacy

Hunger and Homelessness Prevention

Haigler Welcome Center

DIY Emergency Go Bag

Cozad Swimming Pool Restoration

Nebraska Farmer Publication Library

Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Siouxland Freedom Park Interpretive Center Exhibits

VOA Western Nebraska Food Pantry Development Project

Apply Now