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WHAT WE FUND

We advance our mission to build engaged citizens and thriving communities through investments in the following impact areas:

GEOGRAPHIC PRIORITIES

The Peter Kiewit Foundation makes grants in the state of Nebraska and Western Iowa within a 100-mile radius of Omaha.

Strategic Priorities

  • College Access and Success
  • Youth Development
  • Economic Development and Opportunities
  • Quality of Place Amenities
  • Community Capacity
  • College Access and Success

    • Goal:
      Increase (2- and 4- year) college-going, persistence, and completion.

      Investments in:

      Programs and initiatives that help students to improve readiness for, access to, and success in post-secondary education.

      Post-secondary institutions’ efforts to build their own capacity to improve student success outcomes.

      Programs and initiatives that strengthen the alignment between high schools, post-secondaries, and employers to create a seamless school-to-career pathway.

      Two Scholarship Programs:

      • “Kiewit Vocational Scholarship” Program with Nebraska Community Colleges and Iowa Western
      • “Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy” at the University of Nebraska

      Photo courtesy of Metropolitan Community College

  • Youth Development

    • Out of School Time
    • STEM Learning
    • Goal:
      Increase the number of opportunity youth (K-12) participating in high quality out-of-school programs that enhance academic, professional, and personal learning.

      Investments in:

      • Omaha metro area nonprofit organizations that provide high-quality out of school programs (after school/summer learning, college/career readiness, mentoring, and character-building).
      • Nebraska nonprofit intermediaries working to build the quality, capacity, and reach of the out-of-school time and mentoring sectors across the state.
    • Goal:
      Increase the number of high-quality STEM programs and learning experiences accessed by youth (outside of school).

      Investments in:

      • Omaha metro nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that provide high quality STEM awareness, experiences, and exposure opportunities.
      • Quality of place amenities that provide STEM experiences (science museums, children’s museums, libraries, etc.)
      • Networks that support quality STEM experiences and connect them to educational and career pathways.
  • Economic Development and Opportunities

    • Strengthen Omaha’s Urban Core
    • Revitalize Distressed Communities
    • Economic Opportunity
    • Goal:
      Increase the number of people who live, work, and play in Downtown Omaha.

      Investments in:

      • Civic, cultural, and recreational amenities that engage and improve the quality of life for residents in the Omaha Metro’s Downtown and Urban Core.
      • Catalyst projects that spur economic development in jobs, talent attraction, or housing.
      • Efforts that build an “ecosystem” for entrepreneurs to thrive and spur innovation.
      • Efforts that take a capital project from “basic to beautiful.”
      • Efforts that support walkable, bikeable communities as well as multi-modal transportation options (e.g., bikeshare programs, trail networks, bus rapid transit programs and supports, etc.)
    • Goal:
      Improve the built environment to stabilize and grow neighborhoods and communities experiencing decline and disinvestment.

      Investments in:

      • Catalyst projects and initiatives that revitalize the built environment.
    • Goal:
      Increase employment, jobs, and building of financial assets in distressed communities.

      Investments in:

      • Small business programs that provide financial and technical assistance to minority- and female-owned businesses (e.g., loan funds, business acumen programs, business coaching/training).
      • Programs that build financial literacy for community residents to acquire assets and build wealth.
      • Workforce development programs that build skills and connect individuals to employment.
      • Programs that provide support and technical assistance to spur housing development and homeownership.
  • Quality of Place Amenities

    • Goal:
      Increase access to quality civic, arts, and cultural and recreational amenities.

      Investments in:

      • Capital projects with community-wide support.
      • Innovative programs and collaborations that engage broad, diverse audiences and are inclusive of the entire community.
      • Occasional operating grants to arts and culture organizations pursuing innovation and best practices.

        We do not typically support or sponsor individual performances, festivals, or touring exhibits.

  • Community Capacity

    • Goal:
      Improve communities’ ability to lead and respond to their own needs and opportunities.

      Investments in:

      • Planning efforts to develop a community-wide plan for improvement and growth.
      • Community foundations and regional networks working to build capacity of community leaders.
IN ADDITION TO THESE STRATEGIC IMPACT AREAS WE OCCASIONALLY SUPPORT RESPONSES TO ADDRESS EMERGING ISSUES OR OPPORTUNITIES THAT HAVE A LARGE SCALE, COMMUNITY-WIDE IMPACT.

Grantmaking approach

Eligibility

Organization Type

The foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations with a valid 501(c)(3) status and to units of government.

Geographic Consideration

The foundation supports efforts primarily in the Omaha metro area and across the state of Nebraska. We also make grants in Western Iowa within 100 miles of Omaha.

Project Type

We consider proposals that are closely aligned to the foundation’s Strategic Impact Areas. We fund general operations, programs, and capital projects.

We Do Not Fund

  • Individuals
  • For-profit businesses
  • Other private foundations
  • Individual K-12 schools
  • Churches
  • Hospitals

The foundation does not provide funding to support debt retirement, operational deficits, endowments, general fund drives/annual appeals, event sponsorship, or routine public works projects.

Matching Funds

Peter Kiewit Foundation grants are awarded on a matching funds basis. An applicant must have developed at least a portion of the matching funds needed before submitting a request.

Size and Duration of Grants

There are many factors that determine the size and duration of a grant. Considerations include, but are not limited to, the amount of the request, the nature and scope of the project, the foundation’s history with the organization, the level of community and organizational support, and past foundation grants for similar projects.

In your conversation with a Community Investment Officer, you will discuss an appropriate request size and duration of a potential request.

Grant Decisions

All grants are approved by the foundation’s Board of Trustees during their board meetings. When making funding decisions, the Board considers the alignment to strategic impact areas, opportunity for impact, the organization’s ability to execute and sustain the work, and the level of community support. The Board also considers the applicant’s governance, leadership, track record, capacity, and financial health.

Decisions on funding requests are made 3 times a year: March, June, and October. Requests will be brought to trustees after staff has had time to review the proposal and conduct due diligence.

Grant Terms

Grant Payout

Each grant contains specific disbursement terms and conditions that are detailed in documents the grantee must sign to activate the grant. When capital construction grants are approved, foundation funds are paid only after the construction has been completed and the facility is available for its intended use.

Reporting Requirements

Grant documents specify the reports the grantee is required to submit to the foundation and when the reports are due. Requirements are unique to each grant, but typically cover fundraising, project status, outcomes and impact.

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