Greater Nebraska Floods: How to Help

Our hearts go out to all the Greater Nebraska communities, in the NCF network and beyond, that have been impacted by floods and extreme weather. This is a network of helpers and doers therefore we know many volunteers and generous donors are looking for ways to assist and provide relief to their fellow Nebraskans as they rebuild and move forward from this catastrophic event.

To date, two donor-advised funds have been established by partners in the NCF network:

NBA Bank on Nebraska Strong Fund
Rebuild the Heartland Community Fund

The Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation and Nebraska Community Foundation have established the Nebraska Flood Recovery Fund with the purpose of assisting Nebraskans, especially low-income Nebraskans impacted by flooding in 2019, to recover and rebuild their lives.

Below is a list of trusted 501(c)(3) organizations, well equipped to accept donations for disaster relief and maximize their impact in our communities.

Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska
Great Plains United Methodist Conference
Lutheran Family Services
Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund
Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation
Red Cross of the Capital Area and Eastern Nebraska
Red Cross of Nebraska and Southwest Iowa
Salvation Army – Western Division
Salvation Army of Omaha
United Way of the Midlands

We have also heard from affiliated funds across the NCF network that are looking to make grants from their General and Unrestricted Endowment accounts to further flood relief efforts in their communities. There are some important things to remember when it comes to making grants from your NCF affiliated fund:

  • IRS rules prescribe that the assets of a 501(c)(3) organization such as NCF (and its affiliated funds) be used solely for charitable purposes. Broadly speaking, charitable purposes include education, public works, relief of the underprivileged, combating community deterioration, and lessening the burdens of government.  
  • Importantly, charitable purposes do not include expenditures that provide more than minor personal benefit to individuals. Instead, they must be of benefit to the public.

So, what/whom can we make grants to?

Grants may be made to 501(c)(3) public charities (i.e., not private foundations) and governmental entities (this includes cities, villages and school districts) for charitable activities.

Here are some examples of grants your affiliated fund may make to further flood relief:

  • To municipal or county government to help rebuild infrastructure (water service, bridges, roads)
  • To municipal or county government to repair or replace damaged government-owned facilities (city office, parks, recreational facilities, lost trees on government property, etc.)
  • To public libraries for repair of flood damages and/or replacement of damaged books and other resources
  • To public schools for repair of flood damages and/or replacement of damaged resources (books, computers, equipment, etc.)
  • To 501(c)(3) public charities to support their flood relief work (this would include churches)
  • To 501(c)(3) public charities to help repair or replace their damaged facilities

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at 402.323.7330.

 

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