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Strive to Thrive

Strive to Thrive

The Strive to Thrive Lincoln grant process begins each semester by class members identifying approximately 25 local nonprofits that are each in alignment with our mission. Once selected, we contact these organizations to request their participation in the process. If an organization agrees to participate, members of the class research the organization using online sources and conduct an interview with an organizational representative. Research findings are shared with the rest of the class, and approximately 12 site visit finalist organizations are determined through careful group deliberation. After site visit observations are shared with the class, additional due diligence is conducted, and final group deliberations occur. Through these conversations, the class selects two Lincoln/Lancaster County nonprofits as grant recipients and calls each from class. Each selected nonprofit will receive a $5,000 unrestricted grant and will be recognized at our class grant ceremony at the end of the semester.

Your organization may self-nominate for consideration by emailing Professor Amber Messersmith at amessersmith3@unl.edu. Your organization’s name will be added to an ongoing list to be consulted each semester. If the class determines the organization to be a fit with the semester’s mission, you may be considered in the initial pool of 25.

Project Overview

Thanks to the generosity of Rhonda Seacrest, the Learning by Giving Foundation and the partnership of the College of Business, Strive to Thrive Lincoln allocates $10,000 in grant funding each semester to nonprofits in Lincoln/Lancaster County.

Attend the Spring 2023 Grant Ceremony

calendar
Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 12:30 p.m.
Hendrickson Family Atrium (Second Floor), Howard L. Hawks Hall, 730 N. 14th Street, Lincoln, NE
No RSVP necessary.

Spring 2023 Mission

Strive to Thrive Lincoln provides Nebraska Business students in the Management 411 class with the opportunity to grant funds to organizations that serve individuals in one of the following areas: a) Early Childhood Education/Care; b) Mental Health; c) Refugees/Immigrants; d) Re-entry/Formerly Incarcerated

Find Strive to Thrive Lincoln on Social Media

Notes/Eligibility Guidelines


Please Note

  • UNL sponsored organizations are not eligible (those using same Form 990 as UNL)
  • Eligible organizations will have an active, local presence in the Lincoln/Lancaster County area and benefit local individuals.
  • Eligible organizations will have been officially operating in Lincoln/Lancaster County for no less than two calendar years.
  • Eligible organizations provide services directly, rather than reallocating grant funds to additional groups or organizations.
  • Past recipients of Strive to Thrive Lincoln grants are welcome to apply again after a calendar year has elapsed since their last application (e.g., Fall winners may apply the next fall).
  • Should your organization be selected to receive a grant, you will receive two follow-up requests. During the semester of the grant, a member of the class will request information for a short feature article to be included in an annual Strive to Thrive Lincoln newsletter. During the subsequent semester, organizations selected will also be invited to visit the subsequent semester’s class to share their Strive to Thrive experience, along with information about how the money was used, who was impacted and to what degree the community was impacted. The class visit will be scheduled during a class period on a mutually agreeable date.

Past Grant Recipients
Fall 2022 The Arc of Lincoln, $5,000; St. Monica’s Home, $5,000
Fall 2021 CEDARS Youth Services, $5,000; City Impact, $5,000
Spring 2021 Visionary Youth, $5,000; South of Downtown Community Development Organization, $5,000
Fall 2020 The HUB Central Access Point for Young Adults, $5,000; Lighthouse, $5,000
Spring 2020 Belmont Community Center $5,000; Food Fort $5,000
Fall 2019 City Impact $5,000; The BAY $5,000
Spring 2019 Center for Legal Immigration Assistance $7,500; Food Fort $2,500
Fall 2018 Child Advocacy Center, $5,000; Rabble Mill $3,000; Lead Up $2,000
Spring 2018 Clinic With a Heart $5,000; Lincoln Literacy $5,000
Fall 2017 Child Advocacy Center, $5,000; City Impact, $3,000; Bright Lights, $2,000
Fall 2016 Still Waters Equestrian Academy, $6,000; Lincoln Police Charities, $4,000
Fall 2015 Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach, $5,000; CASA for Lancaster County, $2,500; Lincoln Literacy, $2,500

Contact

Messersmith, Amber
Amber Messersmith
Lecturer of Management
HLH 325 J
P.O. Box 880491
Lincoln, NE 68588-0491
402-472-5222
amessersmith3@unl.edu