The Kearney Area Community Foundation enhances the quality of life in the Kearney area by promoting the spirit of charitable giving and effectively responding to the community's needs. Its vision is to maintain a philanthropic culture to assure that donors and the community are served in an atmosphere of trust and professionalism.
A defining feature of Kearney Area Community Foundation is its mix of scholarship funding, local operating support, and capital grants for Kearney-area institutions. In the recent grants list, the largest awards include $172,150 to Unk Wrestling Univ of Ne Board of Regents for scholarships and building support, $151,004 to Kids and Dreams Foundation for operations support, and $146,124 to Renaissance Charitable for operations support. That pattern points to a funder that supports both long-term community assets and the day-to-day work of nonprofits and schools. The foundation’s grantmaking reaches public institutions, nonprofit service providers, and education-related organizations. Recent awards supported Faith Christian School, the Kearney Family YMCA, the City of Kearney, and healthcare-related work through Garden County Health Services Foundation and Helpcare Clinic. Arts, recreation, health, and human services all appear in the recent record, alongside scholarships and facility projects. The foundation’s local scope and heavy concentration of giving in Nebraska make it a community-based funder with a strong emphasis on organizations serving the Kearney area.
Education is a clear thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $172,150 to Unk Wrestling Univ of Ne Board of Regents for scholarships and building support, and $71,500 to University of Nebraska Foundation for a scholarship fund. The foundation also supported Faith Christian School with $120,583 for operations support. Community facilities and public programming are another recurring theme. The City of Kearney received $84,000 for parks and recreation expenses and $63,620 for library operations, while the Village of Shelton received $59,598 for a pool project. In arts and culture, Crane River Theater received $64,385 for operations, and Museum of Nebraska Art received $56,972 for operations support. Health and human services also appear prominently. Garden County Health Services Foundation received $70,450 for hospital IT conversion, Helpcare Clinic received $47,168 for lab and medical supplies, and Children’s Nebraska Foundation received $50,000 for behavioral health.
Grant sizes cluster in the middle of the five-figure range: the 25th percentile is $9,823, the median is $15,972, and the 75th percentile is $35,000. The recent grants list also shows larger awards for scholarships, operations, and capital projects. This is a community foundation with recurring grantmaking channels rather than a one-off grantmaker. It administers competitive grants, scholarship programs, enrichment grants, building grants, a community critical needs fund, disaster relief grants, and donor-advised fund grants. Applicants can use an online portal or a universal scholarship application, and some scholarship funds use paper applications or nominations. Several grantees appear in multiple years, including Kearney Family YMCA, City of Kearney, Faith Christian School, and Unk Wrestling Univ of Ne Board of Regents.
$2.7M
$49.6M
$7.7M
$6.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $35K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$35K
JUDI SICKLER
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Grant activity is overwhelmingly local: 98% of grants go to recipients in Nebraska, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Kearney is the main city in the recent grants list, with multiple awards to organizations there, including the City of Kearney, Kearney Family YMCA, Helpcare Clinic, and World Theatre. Other Nebraska recipients include Kenesaw, Hastings, Shelton, Gibbon, Lincoln, Oshkosh, and Omaha. The foundation’s giving also aligns with Buffalo County and the broader Kearney area.
It funds schools, nonprofits, public institutions, and community organizations in the Kearney area. Recent grants include support for education, parks and recreation, library operations, arts programming, healthcare support, behavioral health, and human services.
The typical award is in the five-figure range. The grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $9,823, a median of $15,972, and a 75th percentile of $35,000.
Yes. Its geographic scope is local, 98% of grants go to recipients in Nebraska, and the recent-grants data shows all recipient-country activity in the U.S.
Yes. The foundation runs competitive grant programs with online applications, including Arthur Klinkacek Grants, Klinkacek Community Enrichment Grants, Building for Tomorrow Grants, Community Critical Needs Grants, and disaster relief grants. Some cycles require an LOI, and scholarship applicants use a universal online scholarship application.
The foundation supports education and scholarships, community development, arts and culture, health, human services, emergency and disaster relief, and youth leadership. Recent grants also show support for capital projects, facility maintenance, operations, and program support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Kearney Area Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations. Specific eligibility and priorities follow the Ted Baldwin Fund guidelines; applicants should review grant guidelines and use the foundation grant portal when invited/able to apply.
Deadline: Applications due September 30 of each year.
Who can apply: Nonprofit, federally tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, or organizations delivering a project/program with a fiscal relationship with a qualified charity. LOI required before full application.
Deadline: Applications due April 15 or October 15; LOI due 15 days before the application due date.
Who can apply: Nonprofit applicants; specific eligibility details are in the grant guidelines.
Deadline: Grant cycle appears annual; specific application deadline not fully visible in the scraped content.
Who can apply: Nonprofits responding to critical needs in Buffalo County; LOI screening required; organizations may only apply once per six months and cannot reapply within 12 months of receiving a grant.
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling, case-by-case basis; reviewed periodically.
Who can apply: See Arthur Klinkacek grant guidelines on the foundation site; applicants must apply through the foundation portal.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIDS AND DREAMS FOUNDATION | KENESAW, NE | $151,004 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| RENAISSANCE CHARITABLE | INDIANANPLIS, IN | $146,124 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | KEARNEY, NE | $120,583 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| NET-FOUNDATION FOR TELEVISION | LINCOLN, NE | $100,000 | 2025 | STUDIO UPDATE |
| CITY OF KEARNEY | KEARNEY, NE | $84,000 | 2025 | PARKS AND REC EXPENS |
| CROSSROADS CENTER INC | HASTINGS, NE | $78,659 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| UNK | KEARNEY, NE | $75,000 | 2025 | WRESTLING FACILITY |
| GARDEN COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION | OSHKOSH, NE | $70,450 | 2025 | HOSPITAL IT CONVERSI |
| UNK | KEARNEY, NE | $70,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| KEARNEY AREA ANIMAL SHELTER | KEARNEY, NE | $67,232 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| CRANE RIVER THEATER | KEARNEY, NE | $64,385 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| CITY OF KEARNEY | KEARNEY, NE | $63,620 | 2025 | LIBRARY OPERATIONS |
| VILLAGE OF SHELTON | SHELTON, NE | $59,598 | 2025 | POOL PROJECT |
| KEARNEY FAMILY YMCA | KEARNEY, NE | $58,780 | 2025 | OPER SUPP, CAP PROJ |
| MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART | KEARNEY, NE | $56,972 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| BUFFALO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | KEARNEY, NE | $51,784 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S NEBRASKA FOUNDATION | OMAHA, NE | $50,000 | 2025 | BEHAVIORAL HEALTH |
| WORLD THEATRE | KEARNEY, NE | $49,204 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF THE KEARNEY AREA | KEARNEY, NE | $47,260 | 2025 | OPER, PROG SUPPORT |
| HELPCARE CLINIC | KEARNEY, NE | $47,168 | 2025 | LAB AND MEDICAL SUPP |
| KEARNEY FAMILY YMCA | KEARNEY, NE | $45,427 | 2025 | MVP PROGRAM |
| MERRYMAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | KEARNEY, NE | $44,512 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | KEARNEY, NE | $44,198 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| KEARNEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOUND | KEARNEY, NE | $42,731 | 2025 | CAPITAL PROJECTS, OP |
| BUFFALO COUNTY COMMUNITY PARTNERS | KEARNEY, NE | $42,065 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| KEARNEY AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | KEARNEY, NE | $41,245 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| FAMILY ADVOCACY NETWORK | KEARNEY, NE | $40,940 | 2025 | OPERATINS SUPPORT |
| MAKE-A-WISH NEBRASKA | LINCOLN, NE | $36,669 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| KEARNEYBUFFALO COUNTY CASA | KEARNEY, NE | $34,200 | 2025 | VOLUNT SCREEN/TRAIN |
| HOT MEALS USA | KEARNEY, NE | $33,425 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| SAFE CENTER | KEARNEY, NE | $33,392 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH | KEARNEY, NE | $29,500 | 2025 | DEBT PMT, OPERATIONS |
| COLLAGE CENTER | KEARNEY, NE | $28,917 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF MID-NEBRASKA | KEARNEY, NE | $26,953 | 2025 | VEHICLE REPL, OPER |
| WILLA CATHER FOUNDATION | RED CLOUD, NE | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMS SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATIO | HASTINGS, NE | $25,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| KEARNEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | KEARNEY, NE | $24,920 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | KEARNEY, NE | $21,728 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| TODD BECKER FOUNDATION | KEARNEY, NE | $21,103 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| KEARNEY AREA JUBILEE CENTER | KEARNEY, NE | $21,100 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| KEARNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | KEARNEY, NE | $20,025 | 2025 | PROF MUSICIAN COSTS |
| HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH | SMITHFIELD, NE | $20,000 | 2025 | FAMILIES OF HOPE |
| COMPASS | KEARNEY, NE | $19,013 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| GIBBON HERITAGE CENTER FOUNDATION | GIBBON, NE | $18,802 | 2025 | BLDG REPAIRS/UPDATES |
| KEARNEY COMMUNITY SUSTAINABLE HOUSING | KEARNEY, NE | $18,444 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| YANNEY HERITAGE PARK FOUNDATION | KEARNEY, NE | $18,442 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| KEARNEY RESCUE CATS | KEARNEY, NE | $18,317 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| BUFFALO COUNTY GOODFELLOWS | KEARNEY, NE | $18,189 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT DISTRICT OF KRNY | KEARNEY, NE | $18,104 | 2025 | KEARNEY SCH PROGRAMS |
| NEBRASKA HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL SPORTS HALL OF FAME | LINCOLN, NE | $17,975 | 2025 | OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
KIDS AND DREAMS FOUNDATION
$151,004OPERATIONS SUPPORT
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$120,583OPERATIONS SUPPORT
NET-FOUNDATION FOR TELEVISION
$100,000STUDIO UPDATE
CITY OF KEARNEY
$84,000PARKS AND REC EXPENS
OPERATIONS SUPPORT
UNK
$75,000WRESTLING FACILITY
GARDEN COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION
$70,450HOSPITAL IT CONVERSI
UNK
$70,000SCHOLARSHIPS
KEARNEY AREA ANIMAL SHELTER
$67,232OPERATIONS SUPPORT
CRANE RIVER THEATER
$64,385OPERATIONS
CITY OF KEARNEY
$63,620LIBRARY OPERATIONS
VILLAGE OF SHELTON
$59,598POOL PROJECT
KEARNEY FAMILY YMCA
$58,780OPER SUPP, CAP PROJ
BUFFALO COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$51,784OPERATIONS SUPPORT
WORLD THEATRE
$49,204OPERATIONS SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF THE KEARNEY AREA
$47,260OPER, PROG SUPPORT
HELPCARE CLINIC
$47,168LAB AND MEDICAL SUPP
KEARNEY FAMILY YMCA
$45,427MVP PROGRAM
MERRYMAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$44,512OPERATIONS SUPPORT
SALVATION ARMY
$44,198OPERATIONS SUPPORT
BUFFALO COUNTY COMMUNITY PARTNERS
$42,065OPERATIONS SUPPORT
KEARNEY AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$41,245OPERATIONS SUPPORT
FAMILY ADVOCACY NETWORK
$40,940OPERATINS SUPPORT
KEARNEYBUFFALO COUNTY CASA
$34,200VOLUNT SCREEN/TRAIN
HOT MEALS USA
$33,425OPERATIONS SUPPORT
SAFE CENTER
$33,392OPERATIONS SUPPORT
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
$29,500DEBT PMT, OPERATIONS
COLLAGE CENTER
$28,917OPERATIONS SUPPORT
COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF MID-NEBRASKA
$26,953VEHICLE REPL, OPER
KEARNEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
$24,920OPERATIONS SUPPORT
KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$21,728OPERATIONS SUPPORT
TODD BECKER FOUNDATION
$21,103OPERATIONS SUPPORT
KEARNEY AREA JUBILEE CENTER
$21,100OPERATIONS SUPPORT
KEARNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$20,025PROF MUSICIAN COSTS
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
$20,000FAMILIES OF HOPE
COMPASS
$19,013OPERATIONS SUPPORT
GIBBON HERITAGE CENTER FOUNDATION
$18,802BLDG REPAIRS/UPDATES
KEARNEY COMMUNITY SUSTAINABLE HOUSING
$18,444OPERATIONS SUPPORT
KEARNEY RESCUE CATS
$18,317OPERATIONS SUPPORT
BUFFALO COUNTY GOODFELLOWS
$18,189OPERATIONS SUPPORT
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT DISTRICT OF KRNY
$18,104KEARNEY SCH PROGRAMS
NEBRASKA HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL SPORTS HALL OF FAME
$17,975OPERATIONS SUPPORT
