WHAT WE FUND

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

Goal:
Increase the number of K-12 underserved youth participating in high-quality out-of-school programs that enhance academic and personal learning.

Investments in:

• Omaha metro area nonprofit organizations that provide high-quality out-of-school programs for K-12 underserved youth (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 sector across the state.

Goal:
Increase the number of high-quality STEM programs and learning experiences accessed by K-12 underserved youth outside the school day.

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.

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 Downtown and the Urban Core.
• 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:
Stabilize and grow neighborhoods in east Omaha experiencing decline and disinvestment.

Investments in:

• Catalyst projects and initiatives that revitalize the built environment.
• Beautification efforts for capital projects such as green space, streetscape amenities, transportation corridor amenities and employment center amenities.

Goal:
Increase employment, jobs, and workforce in distressed communities (aimed at developing economic independence for underserved and low- moderate income people).

Investments in:

• Workforce development programs that build skills and connect individuals to employment.

Goal:
Increase the availability of and access to high-quality civic, recreational, and cultural amenities.

Investments in:

• Capital projects across Nebraska and Western Iowa supporting communities and non-profits building and restoring high-quality community amenities.
• Select operating and program grants to nonprofits contributing to the community and statewide vibrancy and appeal to current and future residents.

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

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

Investments in:

• Community foundations and regional networks working to build capacity of community leaders.