Nebraska is filled with abundance! Every day, more than 1,500 volunteers across the NCF network generously share their time, talent, and treasure with their hometowns, creating communities where new ideas ignite and fresh possibilities take shape. To help bring those possibilities to life, Nebraska Community Foundation is excited to offer Civic Experiment Mini-Grants designed to unleash local creativity and turn bold visions into reality. We are the people we’ve been waiting for!
What is a Civic Experiment?
In 2025, Nebraska Community Foundation was selected as a Civic Hub by the Trust for Civic Life. This designation creates an opportunity for NCF to offer local support and funding to help unleash more civic experiments throughout the NCF network.
The purpose of Nebraska Community Foundation’s Civic Experiment Mini-Grants is to ignite local creativity, strengthen civic engagement, and transform bold ideas into tangible community experiments across Nebraska. By providing guidance, funding, and a collaborative framework, these grants empower affiliated funds to leverage local assets, build connections, and design innovative initiatives that reflect the unique strengths, culture, and vision of their hometowns. Through this process, NCF hopes to inspire experimentation, celebrate community ingenuity, and foster a network of civic learning and collaboration throughout Greater Nebraska.
- Civic Experiment Mini-Grant applications may be submitted beginning January 1, 2026
- Funding is available exclusively to funds in the NCF Network
- A total of $50,000 is available
- Community based affiliated funds can request funding between $1,000 and $10,000 for their experiment
- Civic Experiment Mini-Grants require a 1:1 match from the participating affiliated fund
- All funds must be expended prior to December 31, 2026
- Civic Experiment Mini-Grant participant communities may be invited to share their ideas, discoveries, and outcomes
Need some inspiration?
Below are examples of civic experiments already happening across the NCF network. Click here for even more examples. We warmly invite you to propose your own bold, original ideas for consideration!
- Third Spaces
- Local Art Installations and Experiences
- Unique Festivals and Celebrations
- Community Storytelling Projects
- Dinner and Conversation
- Edible Schoolyards
- Intergenerational Experiences
- Intercultural Opportunities
- Investments in Local Journalism
- Serviceship Camp
- Relational Asset Mapping
How do we apply?
NCF is taking an iterative, relational, and asset-based approach to the process. Here’s what interested funds can expect:
Step One
Beginning in January 2026, local affiliated funds are invited to share an idea their FAC would like to conduct as a civic experiment. Please take a moment to fill out this form.
civic experiment interest form
Step Two
After you submit your idea, we’ll invite you to informal conversations so you can share what you’re dreaming about. At that time, we can begin to work together to:
- Identify the level of support and resources that will help your idea take shape
- Estimate the time needed to bring your experiment to life (all experiments should conclude by December 31, 2026)
- Explore ways to enhance and strengthen your idea using local assets and community strengths
- Articulate some of the outcomes you hope to achieve through your experiment
- Consider how your experiment can connect, unleash, and inspire civic engagement across the NCF Network
Step Three
Once approved, NCF issues a 1:1 matching grant to the local affiliated fund to conduct the civic experiment. Then the affiliated fund gets started on their experiment! The funding range for Civic Experiment Mini-Grants is between $1,000 and $10,000.
Click here to download a PDF with even more details on this opportunity.
Who should I contact if I have a question?
Becky Boesen | bboesen@nebcommfound.org | 402.323.7347
Amy Sandeen | asandeen@nebcommfound.org | 402.984.1011