Director of Major Gifts
Amy Sandeen’s passion to create human connections is informed by more than thirty years of professional work in experiential education, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. As Director of Major Gifts, Amy helps individuals, families, and businesses make leadership gifts for the benefit of Nebraska Community Foundation affiliated funds. She also trains and supports NCF colleagues and serves as the lead resource developer for the Sandhills Discovery Center project at Halsey.
Amy grew up in Hastings, Nebraska where her family, teachers, neighbors, and mentors inspired her to be a life-long learner. After high school, Amy spent a Rotary exchange year in Germany, then lived and worked in St. Paul/Minneapolis before moving back to her hometown roots. As Executive Director of Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning in Hastings, Amy established a community hub that connected people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Her professional background in Nebraska also includes roles as adjunct instructor at Hastings College and Outreach Manager at Crane Trust. As founder of Roots & Ripples LLC, Amy has facilitated customized workshops to enhance capacity growth for many nonprofits.
Amy serves on the board of Humanities Nebraska and the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands, and she is a site reviewer for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Amy’s creative endeavors include photography, music, theater arts, native gardening, and intrepid home improvements. Amy cherishes time with family and friends and loves sharing outdoor experiences with others.
Amy is accredited as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and holds a certificate in Fund Raising Leadership from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.