2019 Supporting Non-Profits – 2019 (January – July)
Our Strictly Business team would like to take this opportunity to strongly encourage our readers to be conscious consumers, as we feel that it is incredibly important to support local businesses that support the local community. As businesspeople, while working hard towards our own goals, we also know that we play an important part in making our community a better place. We are invested in those efforts because it allows us to build our businesses, as well as raise our families, cultivate friendships, and lead happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Supporting our local non-profit organizations is something that we can all do to give back individually, and to truly make a difference collectively.
As individuals, whether you offer your time, talents, or prefer to donate money or items to the cause, there’s always a need that can be met with whatever you have to give. Businesses also have the opportunity to encourage their employees to get involved, which unites everyone together for a worthy cause, which doubles as charity and team bonding. Many companies incentivize employees to volunteer, participate in fundraising and awareness events, or volunteer together as a group; there are plenty of ways to get involved that can be tailored to fit the needs and goals of your organization. Likewise, as we always encourage consumers to be conscious of their purchasing decisions, staying informed and supporting the businesses that make an effort to support non-profits in the community is something we can all do. Leveraging resources to further reinforce those actions has a ripple effect, as does setting an example, spreading your passion for a cause, and getting others involved.
By contributing to a cause that truly helps others, and mobilizing efforts within your organization, you’ll find a feeling of satisfaction that’s rewarding beyond measure. Unfortunately, it’s just not feasible to contribute to every charity, so you will likely be pulled in many directions when it comes to choosing which ones you want to support. As the goal is to donate money, volunteer, and invest your resources in the areas where they’ll do the most good, there’s more to it than simply selecting a cause you feel strongly about and writing a check. Sadly, we’ve all seen the headlines about non-profits that have misused or misrepresented the funds they’ve been given. This ties up resources that could be put to better use by one of the many wonderful charitable organizations in the area that are making a sizeable impact for the better, both right here in our community and globally. As such, by gaining a basic understanding of where resources are being allocated, you’ll easily be able to justify your contribution because it lines up with your beliefs and ethics. All non-profits are not created equal, so do your research! While raising awareness is incredibly important, actions often do speak louder than words. The work that each non-profit does, and in turn your contribution to their cause, should impact the community in a real and meaningful way. If this topic interests you, consider taking on an active role within an organization. Serve on the board or as a director, that way you can ensure funds and resources are being used correctly.
At Strictly Business, the focus of our work has always been supporting the growth and prosperity of our local business community. That said, we feel strongly about supporting our local non-profit organizations too. The two really do go hand-in-hand. By shining a light on all of the different ones here in our community, it is our hope that we are encouraging our audience to get involved with the cause(s) they are passionate about supporting. So without further ado, we’ve highlighted some reputable local non-profit organizations that are doing amazing things in our area.
We have compiled a list of excellent non-profits, all of which need and welcome your support, and encourage you to get involved with these organizations!
Nebraska Community Foundation (NebraskaHometown.org) unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving, and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.
Headquartered in Lincoln, the Foundation serves communities, donors, and organizations by providing financial management, strategic development, education, and training to a statewide network of 1,500 volunteers serving 250 communities.
In the last five years, 41,776 contributions have been made to Nebraska Community Foundation and its affiliated funds. Since 1993, Nebraska Community Foundation has reinvested $323 million in Nebraska’s people and places.
For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org.
Help save lives. Donate blood.
“I’ve never been asked.” That’s the number one reason why people don’t donate blood. Today, the Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB.org) is asking you to donate blood to help save lives. Every 2 seconds someone needs blood. The rarest blood type is the one that’s not available when a patient is in need. That need is constant. Nebraska Community Blood Bank has been connecting people who need life-saving blood with generous volunteer donors for 50 years. We provide life-saving blood to healthcare facilities throughout southeast Nebraska. Be part of our life-saving mission by becoming a blood donor with Nebraska Community Blood Bank today.
Visit NCBB.org to learn more about hosting a blood drive or to sign up to donate blood at a donor center or blood drive near you. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter (@NCBBLincoln).
Angels Among Us (www.myangelsamongus.org) provides financial assistance to families whose children are battling pediatric cancer. Any family living in or being treated in Nebraska is eligible to apply. Once approved, families are provided with $500 a month for 18 months to help them stay financially stable during treatment. Funds are paid directly to the creditor, which ensures that funds are used for their intended purpose.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, a family’s life as they know it comes to an abrupt halt. Unfortunately, their monthly expenses do not. Since 2006, Angels Among Us has assisted nearly 400 families with $1.6 million in support.
Will you join us as we fight to keep families stable? Gifts of any amount are welcome and encouraged. There is strength in numbers. There is also hope, help, and monetary relief.
For more information, contact Angels Among Us at (402) 934-0999 or visit our website at www.myangelsamongus.org.
HopeSpoke (www.hopespoke.org) inspires healthy futures for children and families through comprehensive behavioral and mental health services. The struggle IS real. Mental health issues and trauma are hard for anyone to overcome, especially if you’re a kid. When things feel hopeless, HopeSpoke helps families find confidence.
HopeSpoke plays an invaluable role in providing children and families with the skills to feel empowered and be successful; helping them heal, be courageous, and find strength to live well.
With a long history and positive presence, HopeSpoke continues to reach out with expert care to make our community a better place—full of happy, hopeful, healthy families.
Last year we served 1,841 children, youth, and adults through a variety of programs and services. For more information about HopeSpoke’s programs or to make a donation, please go to www.hopespoke.org or call (402) 475-7666.
Our mission is simple: For more than 60 years we have provided education and leadership to empower people to live safe and healthy. The Nebraska Safety Council’s comprehensive programs, training courses, events, and services are designed to improve employee care at a desk, on the production floor, behind the wheel, and off the job (www.nesafetycouncil.org). Our unique Worker 360° approach provides integrated risk management to improve overall worker quality of life and positively impact an organization’s bottom line.
Our members include organizations throughout Nebraska and surrounding areas, across a variety of industries. There is no one-size-fits-all option; each company’s safety and wellbeing program is customized for their needs and size.
Demonstrate your commitment to employee safety and health by becoming a member of the Nebraska Safety Council. You will receive access to training, guidance, and resources to establish or enhance your safety and wellness programs and policies.
Providing leadership and resources for a safe and healthy workplace and community, Nebraska Safety Council – (402) 483-2511 / nesafetycouncil.org.
CEDARS (www.cedarskids.org) has been a vital part of the community for over 70 years. What started as a grassroots effort to help kids in crisis has grown into a dynamic and dedicated team of over 200 professionals and a network of loving foster parents serving over 2,400 kids and families each year.
Thanks to community support, CEDARS is there for children and youth who are unable to live at home, for families in need of resources, support and education, and for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
CEDARS is accredited through the Council on Accreditation and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is a United Way partner, a four star charity with Charity Navigator, a top-rated charity with the American Institute of Philanthropy, and a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity.
Today, CEDARS will serve nearly 800 children and youth.
To learn more call (402) 434-KIDS (5437) or visit www.cedarskids.org.
Aiding Angels (www.aidingangels.com) is a local, 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing FREE, professional housecleaning to the cancer heroes in our community during one of the most stressful times of their lives. A clean home and environment contributes to the welfare and recovery of patients.
Brenda Schwery, local business owner of Maid To Please, has provided free home cleaning services for years through another foundation where, unfortunately, women with cancer are the only recipients. In response to an overwhelming number of requests from not only women, but also men and children, Brenda founded Aiding Angels. Now, the void is filled and the much-needed help is extended to everyone going through cancer treatment or hospice due to cancer.
For more information on Aiding Angels, please visit www.aidingangels.com or contact Brenda at (402) 434-2472.
Not all children are lucky enough to have lives free of abuse or neglect. Some become involved in the juvenile court system through no fault of their own. Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA for Lancaster County (www.casa4lancaster.org), a local not-for-profit organization, recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers who advocate on behalf of abused, neglected, truant, or ungovernable children in Juvenile Court. CASA volunteers gather information while getting to know the children and report their findings directly to the judge. They provide a voice for children in court, expedite permanency, and ensure that children have safe permanent homes.
To donate, volunteer, or for more information, please contact CASA for Lancaster County at (402) 474-5161 or www.casa4lancaster.org.
Since the early 1970s, Lincoln Medical Education Partnership (LMEP; www.lmep.com) has been a leader in healthcare education, patient care, and research through several programs. These include the training of Family Medicine resident physicians and delivery of quality patient care through Lincoln Family Medicine Program, access to integrative medicine through Lincoln Medical Acupuncture Clinic, cancer research through The Nebraska Cancer Research Center (NCRC), educating alcohol and drug counselors via Training for Addiction Professionals (TAP), providing substance abuse services and wrap-around support for individuals and families in the Stepping Stones for Families Program, and training schools to identify and help children with behavioral and substance abuse issues through the School Community Intervention and Prevention (SCIP) program.
To learn more about Lincoln Medical Education Partnership, visit www.lmep.com.
Working Together to Save Lives
The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) is a united force against all cancers. We fight for every life threatened by every cancer in every community. We’re on a mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world against cancer.
From research to education, prevention to diagnosis, and treatment to recovery, we provide support to everyone impacted by cancer. But we can’t do it alone. Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization and critical to our success at every level. We offer a variety of ways to invest your time and talents. From donating your passenger seat to take people to and from their appointments, to event coordination, and to a variety of office tasks and assignments, we have a role for you.
We are a volunteer-driven organization. The more people who join in our mission, the more lives we can save. If you’re interested in volunteering with us or learning more about our volunteer opportunities, visit cancer.org/volunteer or call (800) 227-2345.
Educare Lincoln’s (wp.lps.org/educarelincoln) mission is to establish a high quality, one-stop community learning center for at-risk children and families; implementing specialized learning environments, which develop children academically and socially, empowering them to become productive members of society through research and evidence-based practices.
Educare Lincoln is based on the developmental approach to early childhood education that places emphasis on learning skills, through play, that are geared to each child’s stage of readiness or development. Educare Lincoln is not only a place for children to learn and grow, but also a place for parents and families to grow and reach their full potential.
As a community leader in the city, Educare Lincoln works hard to close the achievement gap by providing high-quality early childhood education in our community for high-risk children and families. Educare Lincoln promotes community involvement through collaboration with other community-based programs.
Please contact Karla Bohl or Stacy Frank at (402) 458-3171 if you are interested in becoming a community partner or volunteer. For other information, please visit wp.lps.org/educarelincoln.
Incorporated in 2002, the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM; www.nonprofitam.org) started with the goal of helping non-profits help their communities. CEO Anne Hindery has led the organization since 2008. “We serve and strengthen more than 550 non-profits of all sizes and missions in Nebraska and western Iowa. By connecting organizations with information, education, advocacy, and collaboration, we help our members representing health and human services, the arts, education, and other areas make an impact in the communities they serve,” Hindery said.
NAM’s signature Guidelines and Principles Program provides legal compliance and best practices information in 12 major areas of nonprofit management: communication, evaluation, financial management, fundraising, governance, human resources, information technology, planning, public policy and advocacy, strategic alliances, transparency and accountability, and volunteer management.
The National Council of Non-profits, the nation’s largest network of non-profits, recognizes NAM as the state association for Nebraska. Learn more about NAM at www.nonprofitam.org.
The Nebraska Chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship (cefnebraska.org) is part of the world’s largest and oldest children’s youth ministry. Established in 1937, the global ministry has reached over 250 million children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are unique that we focus specifically on elementary children ages 5-12. Our Good News Clubs (GNC) are after school clubs during the school year. During the summer our 5 Day Clubs go where the children are in the neighborhoods, homes and parks. We bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the children for an opportunity in which to make a life changing decision for Christ in a safe and loving environment. If you would like to know more please contact Matt Anderson at matta@cefnebraska.org or call (402) 484-7877. CEF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization ministry.
The American Heart Association (www.heart.org/lincoln) is devoted to saving people from two of our nation’s top killers, heart disease (No. 1) and stroke (No. 5). Powered by millions of volunteers nationwide, the Association’s goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of Americans by 20 percent by 2020 while reducing deaths from heart disease and stroke by 20 percent. Currently, one person dies every 40 seconds from heart disease and stroke. Through events right here in Lincoln like the Heart Walk, Go Red for Women, and Heart Ball, that startling statistic can change.
For more information, visit www.heart.org/lincoln.
The Set Me Free Project (www.setmefreeproject.net) is a nonprofit organization whose focus is to combat sex trafficking. Our mission is to bring prevention education to youth and families to stop trafficking before it starts.
Our curricula packages are informative, interactive, and flexible – reaching students from 3rd–12th grades, educators, parents, industry-specific professionals, and community members.
The Set Me Free Project is unique, because we not only bring awareness, we bring education. Our educators empower each audience member to protect themselves and others from traffickers. We show students how and why they are at risk, and we teach them ways to protect themselves. We teach the adults involved in the lives of youth to better guide and protect them. Every presentation we give is based on the foundation of each individual’s intrinsic value and worth.
Together, with our collaborators and supporters, we stop human trafficking before it starts.
We are Lincoln’s foundation. Lincoln Community Foundation (www.lcf.org) works with donors who all share a fondness for this community and want it to be successful forever. The mission of LCF is to provide leadership and resources to help build a great city. Our role is to help donors accomplish their philanthropic goals, support nonprofit organizations that improve our quality of life, and foster community collaboration to address challenges and opportunities.
Since 1955, LCF has been privileged to be part of many wonderful legacies by matching community needs with the passions of our donors. We serve as a faithful steward for many types of philanthropic gifts and help donors create lasting legacies of giving. With gifts of all sizes from thousands of donors over the years, the assets of LCF have grown to more than $135 million.
Find out more online at www.lcf.org or by calling (402) 474-2345.
Heartland Cancer Foundation (HeartlandCancerFoundation.org) is a non-profit organization created with one belief: People with cancer should not fall behind because they struggle to afford their expenses. Our purpose is to encourage cancer patients, help them overcome financial burdens, and give them compassion so they can thrive.
Many people who come to us can’t get to their cancer treatment appointments because they have no way to buy gas. Many people can’t buy the medications and supplies they need to ease side effects. Some lose their cars, some lose their jobs. And some lose their homes.
This is what motivates us to make an impact. Heartland Cancer Foundation provides compassionate assistance so patients can heal with confidence, and get back to living a bright future. Support us in 2019 with a corporate sponsorship or through committed monthly giving. More information is available at HeartlandCancerFoundation.org, or contact Heidi Moyer at heidimoyerhcf@gmail.com or (402) 261-9974.
Camp Sonshine (www.CampSonshineMemories.org) Offers Summer Camp Programs & Facility Rentals.
Camp Sonshine is a non-profit, faith-based summer camp and conference center with two locations – Camp Sonshine located just minutes south of Lincoln, Neb., and Camp Solaris located near Firth, Neb.
It’s summer camp programs strive to provide a unique environment for families to experience the love of God through innovative programs, fun activities, and genuine relationships with committed and loving, Christian role models. Since it’s first year in 2007 with 98 campers, its summer day and overnight camp programs have grown to serve over 2,300 campers during the summer.
Camp Sonshine’s programs don’t stop at the end of summer. Over 3,000 users visit Camp Sonshine two locations to rent facilities for group gatherings, team building activities, youth retreats and other events. In addition, Camp Solaris is the home of Nebraska’s first aerial park.
For more information about Camp Sonshine’s programs and facilities, go to www.CampSonshineMemories.org.
Contact: Adrianna Tarin, Camp Sonshine Communications Director, (402) 423-8746, 13440 S 25th St, Roca, NE 68430
Childhood cancer is severely underfunded and misunderstood. Cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease among children, yet only 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget is dedicated to researching childhood cancer. And while over 60% of adult cancer research is paid for by big pharmaceutical companies, they don’t even give 1% to childhood cancer research due to low profits. A cure for childhood cancer will be funded by small, private groups like Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation (www.SammysSuperheroes.org). Sammy’s is a Nebraska-based 501c3 non-profit which funds researchers who are doing groundbreaking, innovative work that will lead to modern treatments that will save and have less debilitating side effects for these sweet little fighters. Sammy’s main mission is to raise funds for research, but also to comfort families in the hardest times of their lives. Join the fight, visit www.SammysSuperheroes.org or find us on Facebook to get involved.
Junior Achievement of Lincoln (jalincoln.org) is building a successful future for our community, one classroom at a time! This school year, more than 31,000 students in over 100 schools all across Lincoln and Greater Nebraska will be impacted by our messages of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and business ethics delivered by a community role model. Together, let’s inspire this generation to be better prepared for success than any generation in history. Let’s prepare them to take on their destiny with passion and confidence. Let’s equip them to run businesses, lead nations, make discoveries, and change our world. But most of all, let’s give them hope to see what’s possible.
For more information on how to invest in Junior Achievement of Lincoln or to learn more about becoming a classroom volunteer (it only takes 5 hours a year!), contact Alison Gottsch-Walton at awalton@jalincoln.org or (402) 467-1741.
Friendship Home (www.friendshiphome.org) is Lincoln’s only safe, confidential emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. We save and change lives for over 1,600 victims each year by providing safe shelter and crisis services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 62% of those we served last year were children. Shelter at Friendship Home is offered in a communal shelter setting, apartments for families, and transitional living for families who need more time to rebuild their lives. Our advocates work closely with families and empower them to become survivors through safety planning, referrals to resources, support groups, and mental health counseling.
Gift cards for gas and groceries, financial donations, and volunteers to help with special events are ways to help. For more information about Friendship Home, visit www.friendshiphome.org.
If you or someone you know needs help, call our confidential helpline at (402) 437-9302.
Since 1994, the Mourning Hope Grief Center (www.mourninghope.org) has companioned grieving children, teens, young adults, and their families when someone significant in their lives has died. Mourning Hope provides support groups, community education, grief resources, and referrals.
At Mourning Hope, youth have the opportunity to participate in peer-based grief support groups with kids their own age who have experienced similar loss. Children and teens are taught healthy coping skills for dealing with the death of a loved one. They are given the freedom to grieve in their own way and at their own pace. Ultimately, they learn that while grief is terribly hard work, hope and healing are possible, and no one ever has to grieve alone.
Mourning Hope’s services are available at absolutely no cost to participants. Receiving no government funding or insurance reimbursement, Mourning Hope relies solely on private donations from individuals, businesses, service clubs and foundations.
With a dedicated and united front of staff and volunteers who help the homeless and near homeless find possibilities when things seem impossible, the vision of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach (www.mtko.org) is to defeat hunger & homelessness and restore hope! Serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, Matt Talbot is an inviting hunger relief and outreach center for those in need. Annually, Matt Talbot provides more than 100,000 nutritious meals and 35,000 homeless prevention services to the working poor and homeless such as housing, case management, drug & alcohol evaluations, life skills classes, diversion, nutrition counseling, and help with obtaining vital identification documents. Most importantly, Matt Talbot provides beyond basic needs to embolden people to have hope. Matt Talbot has maintained a 4-star Charity Navigator ranking for five consecutive years, received the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award for the nonprofit sector in 2013 and was recently recognized for transparency with a Gold Seal on their GuideStarNonprofit Profile.
Contact Information: Susanne Blue, CMSW, Executive Director, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach – (402) 477-4116 | susanne.blue@mtko.org | www.mtko.org.
Do you question your “why” regarding life, business, and work? Do you want to develop more authentic relationships? Would you like others’ help in your struggles with major challenges? If you answered yes to any of these questions, CBMC Lincoln (lincoln.cbmc.com) is for you. CBMC is a ministry to business and professional individuals, encouraging them toward spiritual development, personal integrity, principled leadership, and a desire to impact others.
We’ll encourage you in connecting closely with Christ and with others who are growing and discovering how to represent Christ in life and work. CBMC offers 1-1 mentoring, challenging growth groups, leadership development, networking, and larger events throughout the year. We serve business owners and leaders through Peer Advisory Groups, geared to equip members to lead lives and businesses which honor Christ and serve the community.
To learn how CBMC Lincoln can serve you, please contact us at (402) 204-1997 or visit lincoln.cbmc.com.
Our local non-profits are the source of initiatives that are focused solely on helping to make an impact on the lives of those who live in our community—and they need support. Oftentimes, their reach extends beyond that to make an impact at the state, national, and/or global level, but these organizations also create jobs in our community and need local volunteers to get things accomplished. These positions and volunteer opportunities allow many people to fulfill their greater purpose by doing what they love while touching lives and truly making a difference. With the strong following we have among the Lincoln business community, we feel compelled to give these organizations a platform to share their missions and happenings, with the hope that doing so will connect them with local support.
We are parents of children and teens diagnosed with behavioral or mental health challenges. Our mission is to walk alongside other parents who find themselves caught in a whirlpool of treatment options, or lack of options, to provide support and advocacy so their child is able to live his or her best life. Our nationally certified peer support specialists have helped parents present their needs and concerns to IEP teams, medication management and treatment professionals, caseworkers, and judges in an effort to acquire all necessary services in order to safely maintain their child in the home. Our services are free and may be accessed by calling us directly at (402) 441-4369, or through the Nebraska Family Helpline at 1-888-866-8660. Or contact us about volunteer and board opportunities. Our service area includes Lincoln and 16 southeastern counties in Nebraska.
Bright Lights (BrightLights.org) serves elementary and middle school students by providing energized, engaging, and fun summer learning opportunities. Our half-day classes and full-day camps allow students to learn and create, master new skills and build new relationships. Curriculums are STEAM based and class topics include science, technology, math, art, literature and music. Our goal at Bright Lights is to promote the habit of life-long learning while having fun and making friends.
The program weeks for Summer 2019, are June 3–7; June 10–14; June 17–21; June 24–28 and July 15–19.
The Bright Lights class schedule comes out in late February and registration this year begins on Saturday, March 23 at BrightLights.org. Before Care and Lunch Care is available at some class locations. Need-based scholarships are available to qualifying students and an international experience is also available for middle school students. Find out more about these opportunities at BrightLights.org.
City Impact (www.cityimpact.org) empowers under-resourced communities through wholistic youth, family, and neighborhood development. We aspire to be the best in the world at seeing, investing in, and encouraging the unique strengths of under-resourced youth and families so that their leadership makes a lasting positive impact within their communities. Through core values of relationships, faith, strengths-based leadership, empowerment, learning/teaching, and excellence, City Impact encourages transformation from the inside out.
Mentor, Teach, Empower, Transform
Needs: Monthly mentors, weekly reading tutors during the school year, weekly faith program volunteers, sponsors or donations for kids store, and monthly program supporters.
Coming Soon: Look for our new Scheel’s Gym & Fitness Center coming in fall of 2018!
Contact: Lisa Guill, (402) 477-8080 / lguill@cityimpact.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Visit www.cityimpact.org for more information.
Lincoln TeamMates (TeamMates.org), a school-based mentoring program, gives community members a chance to impact Lincoln’s future. Mentors meet one-to-one with students at school once a week during the academic year. Not only do mentors act as role models, but they build relationships with their mentees offering hope and direction for the future. The program encourages students to graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education or career training.
TeamMates appreciates the many Lincoln businesses that encourage their employees to volunteer for the program, enhancing our community. Presently Lincoln TeamMates supports nearly 1,200 students. However, the demand for mentors grows each year, as parents, teachers, and students see the profound impact of mentoring. Over 700 students in Lincoln await a TeamMate to help them thrive.
Perhaps your company would like to support TeamMates by becoming a financial partner, sponsoring an event, or encouraging employees to become mentors? By doing so, you are impacting students’ lives and investing in Lincoln’s future.
To find out more about TeamMates’ mission or participate in our program, go to TeamMates.org or call (402) 436-1990.
Nebraska Recycling Council (www.nrcne.org) is a statewide, member-based, nonprofit supporting collaboration between communities, businesses, solid waste and recycling industries to improve waste diversion systems. Our mission is to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of resource recovery in Nebraska.
- Recycling Information: Nebraska Online Recycling Guide, Phone Assistance
- Education & Training: Webinars, Green Team Training, Networking Events
- Services: Waste Audits, Zero Waste Consultation and Event Planning, Community and Regional Recycling Systems, Construction Waste Management
- Grants: Recycling Equipment Grants
- Publications: Best Management Practices, E-Newsletters, Case Studies
- Annual Awards Luncheon: National Speaker, Workshops, Business & Community Environmental Awards
Waste Nothing. Visit www.nrcne.org or call (402) 436-2384 to learn more.
Food Fort (www.lincolnfoodfort.com) is a local non-profit serving under-resourced children of Lincoln with “more than just a meal.” With their elaborately designed school bus you may have seen around town, they travel around town to target neighborhoods to create family dinner tables right where children already are. Seeking to build relationships, provide mentorship, tutoring, and simply be present. Serving close to local LPS schools, they serve three days per week in the Clinton, West Lincoln, and Saratoga neighborhoods currently. The inside of the bus has been renovated to look similar to a restaurant. Fulfilling the physical need of hunger, with an ultimate goal of so much more. Volunteer ran, and community funded. Find out more at their website of www.lincolnfoodfort.com. Contact them if you would like to support this mission or be involved.
Community Health Charities of Nebraska (www.chcne.org) is a fundraising family of 22 Nebraska-based affiliates of nationally-recognized health charities dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by a chronic health condition, disability, or end-of-life issue. CHC-NE raises vital funds through workplace giving campaigns, corporate matching funds, individual gifts, and foundation contributions to benefit these health charities. Dollars raised each year help our charities provide support for those with chronic health conditions as well as family members, friends, and co-workers affected by chronic illness. Thank you for giving the gift of hope through your support.
In Lincoln, we are proud to partner with United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County during the annual United Way/CHC Campaign. In 2019, look for us as Combined Health Agencies Drive.
Lincoln Office: 215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 509 | (402) 475-2770
www.chcne.org | www.facebook.com/CHCNebraska
For over 18 years, Domesti-PUPS (www.domesti-pups.org) has been supporting people in our local, regional and national communities through the assistance of animals. From therapy dogs in the classroom motivating children to excel in their learning environment to pet therapy visitations in nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living centers, Domesti-PUPS pet therapy teams bring a bit of brightness through their furry encounters. Our service dog teams provide increased independence when paired with a disabled partner. These highly-skilled canines can turn on lights, provide balance and mobility, retrieve dropped items, bring a bottle of water from a refrigerator, respond to medical emergencies such as responding to a seizure or alerting to a diabetic high or low, and open doors both literally and figuratively. Some even provide life-saving measures for their disabled partners.
The Branched Oak Observatory is a unique astronomical park located conveniently just 20 minutes from downtown Lincoln near Branched Oak Lake Recreation Area. Established in 2015, we offer a unique viewing experience and learning opportunity for young and old alike. We have a 30 student classroom, visitors center and two buildings dedicated for viewing the night sky. Whether viewing our closest star the sun, or the moon or deep space star clusters and nebula. Our staff of volunteers, amateur and professional astronomers alike help to “Bring the Night Sky Down to Earth”. We hold monthly events called “Star Parties” that are FREE and fun for the whole family. Please follow us on Facebook under Branched Oak Observatory. If you would like more information please email me, Matt Anderson at matthew@branchedoakobservatory.com or call me at (402) 480-5515. Branched Oak Observatory is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that strikes both children and adults. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent it. And, at present, there is no cure.
In T1D, your pancreas stops producing insulin—a hormone the body needs to get energy from food. This means a process your body does naturally and automatically becomes something that requires your daily attention and manual intervention. You must constantly monitor your blood-sugar level, inject or infuse insulin through a pump, and carefully balance these insulin doses with your eating and activity 24/7.
JDRF (www.jdrf.org) works every day to change the reality of this disease for millions of people by funding research, advocating for government support of research and new therapies, ensuring new therapies come to market and supporting those impacted by T1D.
There are many ways to join the JDRF family, but for 47 years there has been only one reason—because together, we will turn Type One into Type None. If you would like to get involved or know of anyone who might benefit from our outreach or support services, please contact the Lincoln and Greater Nebraska Chapter at (402) 484-8300 or Lincoln@jdrf.org.
Since being founded in 1991, Fresh Start (FreshStartHome.org) has given a “fresh start” to many women who were striving to live a better life. In 2018, the number of women served by the non-profit grew to over 1,600! With Fresh Start, women 19 years and older who are homeless for any reason have the opportunity to live in a safe, supportive environment for up to a year, affording them more time to focus on their long-term goals, address barriers, and enact change. Fresh Start offers a safe, structured, alcohol and drug-free environment for women invested in attaining self-sufficiency. It’s more than a shelter, it’s a goals program designed to support women who are working diligently to improve their lives. Fresh Start provides basic needs, safe housing, case management, 24-hour support, computer access, and other supportive services.
Donation Needs: Paper Goods, Cleaning Supplies, and Gas Cards.
Volunteer Needs: Daisy Thrift Shop Clerks and Marketing Committee.
Get involved with Fresh Start by visiting their website at FreshStartHome.org, or connecting on social media (Facebook.com/FreshStartHomeLincoln; Twitter.com/FreshStartLNK). To donate or volunteer, Contact Audrey at (402) 475-7777 / audreyb@FreshStartHome.org.
The People’s City Mission (pcmlincoln.org) is Lincoln’s only homeless shelter. Started in 1907, the Mission has helped over a million people over the last 100 plus years. The Mission is much more than an emergency shelter. They feed men, women and children three times a day, help individuals and families find permanent housing, and they work with their guests to reintegrate back into the workforce. The all new Help Center gives away free donated housewares, food and clothing. Daily the 2.51 shuttle delivers over 100 sack lunches to homeless on the streets. The Mission is growing in its needs, and relies on the public to for nearly all of the funds that come in. Like Pastor Tom always says “If we all give a little, we can change a lot!” For more information, please visit People’s City Mission online at pcmlincoln.org.
Youth for Christ Lincoln Area (yfclincoln.org) is a non-denominational, non-profit organization serving youth in the Lincoln community and surrounding areas. We engage youth through three ministries: Campus Life to teens in high schools and middle schools, Juvenile Justice to jailed teens, and Parent Life to pregnant teens. Through regular programming and special events, YFC Lincoln Area works with over 2,400 local youth with the goal of engaging them in a healthy relationship with God.
To learn more about our ministries, college internships, or to volunteer visit yfclincoln.org or call us at (402) 420-7475.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB; www.bbb.org) has been assisting consumers and businesses since 1912. It is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing trust in the marketplace. In 2017, BBB provided nearly 225 million instances of service to businesses, charities and the general public. BBB has Business Profiles on more than 4.7 million businesses and Charity Reports on over 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. Today, BBB serving Nebraska, South Dakota, The Kansas Plains and Southwest Iowa is supported by approximately 10,000 Accredited Businesses that have voluntarily committed to adhere to BBB’s Standards of Trust.
BBB offers services to both businesses and consumers by creating a community of trustworthy businesses through accreditation, setting standards for trust, encouraging and supporting ethical business practices, celebrating community role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.
BBB does not compare businesses to each other, but rather evaluates them against its standards – and BBB’s standards clearly speak to the character and competence of an organization.
The mission of the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum (SACMuseum.org) is to preserve the history of Strategic Air Command, the Cold War and aerospace artifacts and to inspire learning through imaginative, innovative, and inspirational programs and exhibits. The museum is not funded by any government source and relies on the community to help carry out its mission.
The museum is home to one of the largest collections of Cold War aircraft and artifacts in the U.S. Visitors can touch iconic aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft as well as learn about historic leaders and events. The museum offers free public tours, family events, Children’s Learning Center, and educational programs. The museum’s STEM programming supplements public education with field trips, camps, and monthly workshops. Looking for a thrill? Fly in the museum’s flight simulator or visit a STEM exhibit. There is something for everyone at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum!
Just 20 minutes from Omaha or Lincoln. To check out the museum’s monthly events, rental spaces, or how to become a member, go to SACMuseum.org!
Down Syndrome Association for Families of Nebraska (dsafnebraska.org) recognizes that every person with Down syndrome is an individual who has a unique purpose and set of abilities. Since 1995, DSAF has provided a positive vision for the future to individuals with Down syndrome and those who share in their lives, through networking, advocacy and support, including:
Parents First Call – offers help and empathy to new parents upon receiving a diagnosis of Down syndrome.
Medical Outreach – provides accurate information regarding DS to local medical offices.
Age-based Stars groups – enables members to participate in fun, inclusive activities with family and friends.
Capital City Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk – provides a heartwarming experience of what we’re all about. The annual Step Up Walk is our biggest awareness event!
DSAF is more than just an association. It is a place of belonging and hope. Get involved. Go to dsafnebraska.org to learn more.
Serving our community by promoting the dignity, independence, and wellbeing of older adults, Tabitha (Tabitha.org)provides support for clients and their families across 28 Nebraska counties through compassionate at-home support (including Tabitha Meals on Wheels), innovative living communities, and exceptional rehabilitation, home health care, and hospice services.
Tabitha is a local, nonprofit provider and an industry leader, believing everyone deserves to receive extraordinary care. This commitment is illustrated with our world-class, award-winning continuum of services delivered to over 2,000 individuals daily. When you have questions about Senior Care, Tabitha is the Answer.
Tabitha is always looking for civic-minded individuals to donate their time, talent, and treasure to help us provide care for our friends and neighbors. You can make a difference in the lives of local veterans, teachers, public servants, and community leaders who need a helping hand.
Call (402) 486-8509 or visit Tabitha.org to make a contribution or volunteer today!
Since 1988, Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln (www.lincolnhabitat.org) has brought people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Through our Homeownership Program, we provide the opportunity to purchase a home for low-income families who are unable to meet normal financing requirements; the homes are purchased with a zero-interest mortgage financed by us, built or repaired by volunteers alongside Habitat homeowners from new or existing housing stock. In 30 years, we have served 160 families locally, and nearly as many globally through Habitat International’s tithe program, serving approximately 1,500 individuals.
Ways to get involved with Habitat Lincoln: volunteer on our construction site, attend an event, contact us about available lots, support and sponsor a build, donate in-kind building materials or subcontracting labor, and always follow us on Facebook to stay updated on our latest news and projects. Through shelter we build strength, stability, and self-reliance. Learn more at www.lincolnhabitat.org.
Goodwill Industries (www.lincolngoodwill.org) Serving Southeast Nebraska, Inc. has been strengthening the Lincoln community for more than 80 years by providing services for individuals who face barriers to employment and by offering residents an outlet for recycling gently-used household items and clothing. The sale of donated items in Goodwill’s retail stores remains the largest source of funding for its programs and services.
Goodwill recognizes that services provided by peer agencies prepare people served by Goodwill to better succeed in Goodwill’s employment programs. It is with this understanding that Goodwill provides funding to colleague agencies to help with their own programs that align with Goodwill’s mission of willing workers employed and community resources maximized.
For more information about Goodwill and its role in the Lincoln community, visit www.lincolngoodwill.org today.
Poverty limits opportunity. We don’t. Since 1965, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties (communityactionatworkorg.presencehost.net) has been removing barriers for individuals living in poverty so that they have the opportunity to thrive. Our four impact areas are Early Childhood Education, Homelessness Prevention, Financial/Family Well-being, and Hunger Relief. Just some programs and services offered include Early Head Start and Head Start, which provide comprehensive early childhood education services to 421 babies, toddlers, preschoolers, pregnant women, and their families; rent, utility, and security deposit assistance; Weatherization, focused on increasing the energy of homes; matched savings opportunities to youth and adults; financial education; free tax preparation and health insurance enrollment assistance; housing; and free evening meals at our soup kitchen, The Gathering Place. Last year, Community Action provided over 79,000 poverty-fighting services to over 17,000 children and adults. Our mission is to empower people living in poverty to reach economic stability.
Founded in 1993, the Cancer Alliance of Nebraska (www.cancerallianceofnebraska.org) is a nationally-recognized 501c3 nonprofit working with the National Cancer Institute and pharmaceutical companies to provide breakthrough treatments to cancer patients using clinical trials which we bring to the local community settings here in Nebraska. Every day we get closer to the cure.
Why Cancer Clinical Trials are Important:
- They lead to the discovery of new cancer treatments and cures
- They can improve the health of participating cancer patients
- They benefit future generations, impacting thousands of lives
- When our research is shared – across the state and around the globe – we get closer to the cure even faster
We succeed in our work due to the collaborative support of our experienced physicians, hospitals, clinics, donors, and patients in communities across the state of Nebraska. And we share in the collective belief that there is always something more we can do. Visit our site at www.cancerallianceofnebraska.org.
Center for People in Need (cfpin.org) is dedicated to its mission of providing services to low-income people that address their basic needs and help them achieve economic independence. Our varied programs address basic needs, especially adequate food resources and household necessities like children’s diapers; as well as educational and training programs that help lift people out of poverty. Thousands of people benefit from our weekly food distribution programs; the Tackling Recidivism and Developing Employability (TRADE) program provides skills training for individuals being released from prison; and the People Obtaining Prosperity (POP) program provides free tuition at Southeast Community College for income-eligible students. Refugees and immigrants can get on the path to self-sufficiency by learning English in our English Language Learning classes that also help them learn about American laws and culture while preparing them for employment. Center for People in Need provides an open and welcoming environment to anyone in need of resources and support in our community. For more information about Center for People in Need, visit cfpin.org.
Don’t Miss Out!
This is an excellent opportunity for your non-profit to gain exposure amongst our readers, as well as for our readers to familiarize themselves with the needs of the various organizations and the valuable work that is going on in our community. If you are a local non-profit organization that is interested in participating in the next Supporting Non-Profits feature in Strictly Business Magazine, please call (402) 466-3330 or email Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com today!