History & Mission

Mission

The Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) partners with community leaders to inspire charitable giving, prudently manage financial resources and make strategic investments for the prosperity of our people and our communities.

History

The Nebraska Community Foundation, a Sec. 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1993 by a group of nine visionary volunteers representing the concerns of rural communities throughout the state. Their goal was to raise $25 million in 10 years to support capacity-building efforts in Nebraska’s hometowns. That goal was met several years ahead of schedule. Since its inception, NCF and its affiliated funds have reinvested nearly $100 million in Nebraska’s people and places.  As of March 31, 2010 NCF had $58.6 million in total assets with $31.9 million in permanent endowments under management.

These impressive achievements are the result of building relationships with community, business, government and institutional leaders across Nebraska.

NCF is not a charity and it is not a typical community foundation. NCF has evolved to become an institution that uses philanthropy as a tool for community capacity building and economic development. 

Our Vision and Values

The Nebraska Community Foundation inspires a come-back—give-back ethic among all Nebraskans.

The Nebraska Community Foundation envisions a state where communities provide opportunities for all people to reach their highest potential within a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment. People embrace our Nebraska values of hard work, accountability and responsibility. Nebraska communities are places where people want to live, raise families, do business, work and enjoy the good life.

The following Values guide our decisions:

• NCF’s relationship with donors and affiliated funds is reciprocal and mutually beneficial.


• NCF bases its decisions on facts rather than perceptions.


• NCF conducts its activities with respect and deference to local decision-makers.


• NCF is entrepreneurial in its behaviors and its work.


• NCF maintains its position as a value-added partner by staying on the leading edge of community development philanthropy.


• NCF is in full legal compliance and adheres to National Standards for U.S. community foundations.

Principles of the NCF System

NCF’s “theory of change” moves people and communities away from a culture of dependency toward self-reliance based on local assets. 

We define community philanthropy as a tool for community capacity building and economic development. Philanthropy and endowment building in and of themselves are not the primary goal, but a tool for community economic development.

Community philanthropy is a tool for building individual skills and confidence that can be translated into all forms of community development.

Community philanthropy must be inclusive, and systems must be geared to motivate and engage the middle-class; therefore, the NCF system encourages the habit of giving among its network of donors and throughout the broader community.

Unlike most community foundations, NCF is not exclusively donor-driven. We seek to balance community needs with donor wishes.

NCF educates donors and community leaders on the impact of strategic grantmaking on community economic development goals.

Community philanthropy and government (especially local government) must support, reinforce and leverage one another.

Unrestricted community endowments are a new form of locally controlled opportunity capital to pursue new and unforeseen community opportunities.

NCF is a value-added partner. We provide communities with assistance and technical expertise to maximize the effectiveness of community philanthropy.