Fremont Area Community Foundation Grant

The Fremont Area Community Foundation supports civic improvement, education, health and recreation, social services, and arts and cultural benefits in Fremont, Nebraska and its surrounding communities. The Foundation distributes grants from two funds: the Fremont Forever Fund, supported by various donors, and the Lester A. Walker Fund, established through the will of Lester A. Walker, a long-time publisher of the Fremont Tribune. These funds aim to bolster the community through impactful financial support to organizations that align with the Foundation’s mission. Organizations applying for grants must be tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3) or be eligible to receive such designation, or be public entities such as schools or governmental institutions. Grants are not available to individuals, except for college scholarships administered through specific component funds. Additionally, the Foundation typically does not fund deficit financing, annual fund drives, or ongoing operational expenses. Preference is given to initiatives at public institutions that require seed money to attract further support or those with potential for significant community impact. Grants are not made to religious organizations for religious purposes. Applicants who were previously denied funding for a project must wait at least 12 months before reapplying for the same project. Applications for competitive grants are accepted quarterly, with deadlines on the first business day of January, April, July, and October. All applications must be submitted to the Fremont Area Community Foundation office by 5:00 p.m. on the designated deadline date. For smaller projects requiring $1,500 or less, a separate Mini-Grants Program is available with a distinct application form. For larger requests totaling $50,000 or more, organizations should first submit a Letter of Intent by December 1st to be considered for review in January. Grant awards are considered based on their alignment with the Foundation’s mission and the potential impact on the community. While specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the provided materials, the application process emphasizes the importance of presenting a clear, impactful, and well-supported proposal. Applicants are encouraged to contact Melissa Diers for further guidance. She can be reached via email at mdiers@facfoundation.org or by phone at 402-721-4252. For the 2025 calendar year, application deadlines are as follows: January 2, April 1, July 1, and October 1. The Foundation’s office is located at 1005 East 23rd Street, Suite 2, Fremont, NE 68025. The main phone number is 402-721-4252, and the fax number is 402-816-4102. Prospective applicants can choose to apply online or download a PDF version of the application form from the Foundation’s website.