Arthur Klinkacek Community Enrichment Grant

The Arthur Klinkacek Community Enrichment Fund Grant is administered by the Kearney Area Community Foundation, an organization committed to improving the quality of life in the Kearney area. The Foundation manages a discretionary grant program intended to address creative ideas, emerging needs, and innovative projects or programs within the community. Grants from the Arthur Klinkacek Community Enrichment Fund are typically over five thousand dollars and may be awarded as multi-year grants, depending on the size and scope of the project. The flexibility of the program allows the Foundation to leverage funds and support initiatives that have the potential for significant community impact. This grant is open to a range of organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits in good financial standing, charitable programs under the Foundation, governmental agencies for public purposes, and educational institutions such as public, charter, private, and parochial Pre-K–12 schools as well as post-secondary institutions. However, support for governmental and educational organizations is limited to projects that address priority issues and serve a substantial or underserved portion of the community. Projects should be unique, community-oriented, or pilot programs with potential for sustainability and replication. The Foundation does not fund general operating support for government agencies or school systems. Eligible applicants may apply once every twelve months. Single-mission organizations must wait twelve months after a previous grant before applying again. Multi-mission organizations may submit up to two applications per year from different sub-groups, but sub-groups awarded a grant must wait one year before reapplying. All applicants must have completed any required final evaluations for previous grants before submitting a new request. Grants are generally limited to projects within Buffalo County, Nebraska, with exceptions only in extraordinary circumstances. Applications are accepted through a two-stage online process. The first step is the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the Foundation’s website. Once the LOI is reviewed and approved, organizations will receive access to the full online application. The LOI must be submitted at least fifteen days before the application deadline. The regular deadlines for grant applications are April 15 and October 15. All questions in the online application must be answered, and supporting documents are required. Applicants must provide a federal tax exemption letter, a list of leadership, an operating budget with principal income sources, financial statements from the most recent year-end, a grant project budget, and the latest IRS Form 990. Grant recipients are required to submit a final written report within one year of receiving funds, summarizing project completion and impacts. The Foundation may require interim reports or additional information. Failure to comply with these terms may result in ineligibility for future funding or repayment of the grant. The Foundation evaluates proposals based on alignment with its priorities and eligibility, expected results, implementation plan, organizational capacity, partnerships, and the applicant’s stability or probability of success. Preference is given to programs with long-term community impact, measurable outcomes, innovation, and collaborations. The Foundation does not fund individuals, general operating support, religious or political activities, endowments, non-program capital investments, or fundraising events. The grant committee’s recommendations are subject to approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Contact information and further details are available on the Kearney Area Community Foundation’s website.

Allow time for LOI approval before application deadline.