Skip to main content
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Search

Full Article

Visit Apply Give

Strive to Thrive Lincoln Seeks Grant Applications from Nonprofits

Strive to Thrive Lincoln Seeks Grant Applications from Nonprofits
Under the guidance of Dr. Amber Messersmith, students learn how to initiate a funding process, create a grant application, evaluate applications and make decisions on providing grants for community betterment.
A management class at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business is accepting applications from local nonprofit organizations to award up to $10,000. Students in the course call the hands-on experience with philanthropy Strive to Thrive Lincoln, and this semester they selected to focus on nonprofits which support people in need through education, awareness and enrichment.
 
The senior-level class, Leading People and Projects (Management 411), provides a funding opportunity empowering organizations to make a positive difference in the Lincoln community as students gather knowledge of philanthropy through working with nonprofit organizations. Under the guidance of Dr. Amber Messersmith, the class learns how to initiate a funding process, create a grant application, evaluate applications and make decisions on providing grants for community betterment.
 
A recent gift by Rhonda Seacrest enabled the college to offer the course twice a year. The Learning by Giving Foundation, which funded the course since the philanthropy project began more than five years ago, will continue to provide partial funding through fall 2020.
 
Dr. Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean, said, “Our Nebraska Business community is grateful to Rhonda Seacrest for the generous gift which will enable the Strive to Thrive Lincoln program to continue and the community to benefit. This course is integral in our curriculum as it teaches our students the role of nonprofits in a community and the importance of giving back, and the number of students taking this course continues to grow.”
 
Students brainstorm ideas for their class funding goals as part of the class project.
Students brainstorm ideas for their class funding goals as part of the class project.
The class's effort specifically seeks to grant funds to organizations that empower people in need through education, awareness and enrichment in Lincoln and/or Lancaster County, with special consideration given to those serving traditional and nontraditional families.
 
Local nonprofit organizations can apply by Friday, February 23 at 5 p.m. for awards of a minimum of $2,000 or up to $10,000. Organizations must have 501(c)3 status and propose a project consistent with the organization’s mission and within the mission of Strive to Thrive Lincoln. Within the application, organizations must provide their most recent Form 990 and IRS letter, submit a spreadsheet outlining their organizational and project budgets, give brief descriptions of their organization and its relevant achievements, and outline the proposed project along with how it aligns with their mission and goals.
 
Grant recipients will be announced at a public reception to be held Wednesday, April 18. For more information about Strive to Thrive Lincoln, visit: http://business.unl.edu/strivetothrive.
Published: February 7, 2018