Nebraska Community Foundation to Launch First-of-its-Kind Community Investment Fund with Tallgrass
Fund will Tackle Key Rural Challenges with Decade-Long, Multi-Million Dollar Investment
As part of its Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with Bold Nebraska, Tallgrass has selected Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) to manage the “Trailblazer Community Investment Fund,” (Fund) a community initiative stemming from Tallgrass’ Trailblazer Carbon Dioxide (CO2) project – a project that supports the region’s biofuel producers by enabling the production of low-carbon, high-value biofuels and feedstocks.
The Fund will be seeded with an initial investment of $500,000 and supplemented annually through 2035 with an investment equal to $.10 per metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is transported and stored on the Trailblazer pipeline system. This initial investment is being provided six months ahead of schedule and the Fund is anticipated to distribute more than $7 million in the communities associated with the project’s right-of-way in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and Iowa throughout the next decade.
NCF was selected to manage the Fund for both its adherence to the most rigorous standards in philanthropy as well as its intimate knowledge of the needs of rural communities and relationships in hometowns across the state of Nebraska. After significant research into rural communities’ most pressing needs, NCF recommended that the Fund support:
- quality early childhood development centers,
- food pantries, and
- long-term care facilities for elders.
“The issues the Fund targets are among the most challenging our rural hometowns are facing,” said Jeff Yost, president and CEO of Nebraska Community Foundation. “Most importantly, these dollars are being invested in organizations that already have a deep understanding of their communities and the people they serve.”
“As we’re starting commercial operations on the Trailblazer system, we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone by launching the Trailblazer Community Investment Fund,” said Kyle Quackenbush, Segment President at Tallgrass. “It’s important to us to strategically invest back into the communities who have supported the project’s development, and we appreciate the invaluable guidance we have received from Nebraska Community Foundation so far. We hope that these investments serve to provide a safety net to our neighbors throughout their lifetimes – from early childhood to eldercare – so that these communities can continue to grow and thrive.”
“Communities deserve to benefit from the projects that impact them – whether that’s sharing in profits, investing in social services, or simply having a seat at the project’s decision-making table,” said Jane Kleeb, founder and director of Bold. “This investment sets a standard for future energy infrastructure developers and for future regulatory reform that ensures stronger community and landowner benefits are enshrined in our state and federal laws.”
Grant-eligible government entities and nonprofit organizations must serve communities located along the Trailblazer pipeline system, which will transport CO2 from agricultural and industrial facilities in Iowa and Nebraska to be safely sequestered underground in Wyoming. Qualifying organizations have already been identified and will be invited by Nebraska Community Foundation to apply for funding, which will be distributed annually.
Nebraska counties to benefit from the Trailblazer Community Investment Fund include Adams, Banner, Buffalo, Butler, Cass, Clay, Dawson, Fillmore, Frontier, Gage, Gosper, Hall, Hamilton, Johnson, Kearney, Kimball, Lincoln, Merrick, Otoe, Perkins, Phelps, Platte, Polk, Saline, Sarpy and York. Colorado counties are Logan and Sedgwick. Iowa counties are Mills and Pottawattamie. Laramie County in Wyoming is also among the fund’s beneficiaries.
About Nebraska Community Foundation
Nebraska Community Foundation 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 266 communities. In the last five years, 46,481 contributions have been made to Nebraska Community Foundation and its affiliated funds. Since 1994, Nebraska Community Foundation has reinvested $594 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org.
About Tallgrass
Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that fuel homes and businesses and enable our nation’s quality of life. For over a decade, Tallgrass has called Nebraska “home,” with over 100 of our Nebraskan employees operating more than 2,000 miles of pipelines in the state every day. Across the broader U.S., Tallgrass has over 1,000 employees operating more than 10,000 miles of infrastructure that stretches from Ohio to Oregon and North Dakota down to South Texas. Learn more at Tallgrass.com.
About Bold Alliance
Bold Alliance builds unlikely alliances to protect the land and water. Bold works on issues including eminent domain, clean energy, water, and prioritizing family farms and ranches.
Trailblazer Community Investment Fund – FAQ
About the Fund
What is the Trailblazer Community Investment Fund?
The Trailblazer Community Investment Fund is a long-term philanthropic initiative designed to invest in rural communities along the Trailblazer CO₂ pipeline system. It is funded by Tallgrass and managed by Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF).
The Fund is designed to invest in early childhood development, elder care, and food security services in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and Iowa, with the goal of strengthening communities through long-term social service investments.
Who is Tallgrass and what is the Trailblazer project?
Tallgrass is a leading infrastructure company that has proudly called the Midwest home for over a decade, fostering strong connections with local communities while driving economic growth and innovation.
By repurposing Tallgrass’ existing Trailblazer pipeline to transport CO2, Tallgrass is enabling the production of low-carbon biofuels and feedstocks unlocking new markets for American agricultural products and new opportunities such as sustainable aviation fuel.
As part of the project’s Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with Bold Nebraska, Tallgrass established the Fund in order to provide direct benefits to the communities that host this infrastructure.
Who administers the Trailblazer Community Investment Fund?
The Fund is administered by the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF). NCF was selected for its:
- Proven philanthropic track record
- Deep understanding of rural community needs
- Existing relationships with community-based organizations
How much money will the Fund distribute over time?
The Fund is expected to distribute more than $7 million through 2035 across eligible communities in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and Iowa. It includes an initial $500,000 investment and will receive annual contributions from Tallgrass through 2035 based on the volume of CO₂ transported and stored. Annual investments are based on $0.10 per metric ton of CO₂ transported and stored via the Trailblazer pipeline system. This creates a scalable funding model tied to project activity.
What types of community needs will the Fund support?
The Fund will prioritize non-profit/governmental:
- Early childhood development centers
- Food pantries
- Long-term care facilities for elders
How were these focus areas chosen?
NCF conducted significant research into rural communities’ most pressing needs and selected these three focus areas for the Fund.
How does this Fund benefit rural communities directly?
The Fund supports essential services that contribute to lifelong community wellbeing while investing in organizations with established community trust and reach.
How much funding will each entity receive?
Annual grant awards will range from $500 – $2,000 to each eligible organization based on the number of participating organizations. The amount will be equally distributed among the eligible organizations.
What can the funds be used for?
Trailblazer Community Investment Funds are unrestricted, which means you can use them in the way that best supports your organization and the people you serve. That could include program expenses, operational support, or other local priorities.
What reporting or follow-up is expected after receiving funds?
Rather than completing lengthy reports, we simply ask grant recipients to share a photo and a short caption that shows your work in action. These updates help us tell the story of impact and may be shared in future communications.
If an entity meets the eligibility criteria but didn’t receive—or can’t find—an official invitation letter, what should we do?
Please reach out to us at trailblazer@nebcommfound.org.
Does a for-profit nursing home or assisted living facility that accepts Medicare or Medicaid qualify?
Unfortunately, no. Grants are limited to nonprofit or government-owned senior care organizations located in eligible counties.
Eligibility & Application
Which communities are eligible?
Eligible communities are those located along the Trailblazer pipeline system in the following counties:
- Nebraska: Adams, Banner, Buffalo, Butler, Cass, Clay, Dawson, Fillmore, Frontier, Gage, Gosper, Hall, Hamilton, Johnson, Kearney, Kimball, Lincoln, Merrick, Otoe, Perkins, Phelps, Platte, Polk, Saline, Sarpy, York
- Colorado: Logan, Sedgwick
- Iowa: Mills, Pottawattamie
- Wyoming: Laramie
What entities and organizations are eligible?
Applicants must:
- Provide early childhood care and education and if located in Nebraska, participate in Step Up to Quality (or a comparable program for CO, IA and WY),
- OR operate a nursing home that accepts Medicare and Medicaid and offers residential programs,
- OR operate a local food pantry, AND:
- Be a nonprofit, church, or government entity,
- Be physically located in counties along the Trailblazer pipeline system in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and Iowa,
- Provide direct services to residents in those counties,
- Have been operational for at least one year (with the exception of the early childhood development centers), and
- Commit to nondiscriminatory practices and refrain from supporting political causes or activities.
What is “Step Up to Quality”?
Step Up to Quality is a voluntary program that helps early childhood educators in Nebraska improve the quality of their care and education services.
How will eligible organizations be notified?
Nebraska Community Foundation will mail invitations and eligibility requirements on or before October 10, 2025 to all prospective organizations. Organizations will be required to return eligibility forms on or before December 30, 2025. Funds will be distributed on or before January 30, 2026.
What is required to apply and receive funding?
Organizations must opt in by responding with form responses and qualifying documents. Grantees must submit a simple annual report each year to remain eligible for continued funding.
Funding Schedule & Process
How are the grants structured over the 10 years?
- Two funding cycles over 10 years.
- Each funding cycle offers 5-year funding commitments.
- Grantees must submit a simple annual report to maintain eligibility for renewal.
- A project evaluation will be conducted at the midpoint (Year 5).
How are funds distributed among qualified applicants?
Funds are distributed pro rata based on the number of qualified childcare, senior service, and food pantry organizations that respond and commit to a 5-year grant period.
Is this a competitive grant process?
While the Fund is not open to public applications, qualifying organizations have already been identified and will be invited to apply. Funding will be distributed annually.
Can the funding structure change over time?
The proposal and distribution model may be adjusted based on evaluations conducted in years four and five.
Questions
Email trailblazer@nebcommfound.org.