Charitable Foundations

COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS

A philanthropic community

Be it supporting community programming, helping to provide scholarships or keeping facilities looking fresh, Bellevue’s charitable foundations help keep the city in tip-top shape by contributing the necessary funds for growth and improvement.

BELLEVUE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Bellevue Community Foundation was formed in 2012 by a caring group of Community leaders with the goal of working together to help the Bellevue Community grow and prosper, not only now, but for future generations. Since its inception and with the tremendous support of our sponsors and the entire community, the BCF has been very active and has contributed over $300,000 towards projects and organizations that enhance and serve Bellevue.

The BCF is proud to be the host of the annual Bellevue Rocks Riverfront Festival which brings a large carnival and nationally known musical acts to American Heroes Park for Bellevue families to enjoy. The BCF also hosts an annual Husker Tailgate Fundraiser and golf tournament to raise money to support an annual grant program. The BCF Grant Program provides and opportunity for charitable organizations to secure financial assistance towards projects and programs that will enhance and improve the quality of life for Bellevue residents. Over the past few years, the BCF has provided financial support for project such as the Bellevue Food Bank, the Bellevue Women’s Club, the Bellevue Police Department and the local American Legion Post to name just a few.

Just over the past year, the BCF has also made generous donations to help fund programs at the Bellevue Public School Frank Kumor Career Center, the Inez Boyd Fountain at American Heroes Park, the Annual Christmas in Olde Towne Holiday Drive Through Event and Bellevue’s Bike Share Program. We are proud of our accomplishments but realize that there is more work to do. For more information or to contribute to the BCF’s efforts please go to www.bellevuecommunityfoundation.org

BELLEVUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

The Bellevue Public Schools Foundation was established in 1986 as a self-perpetuating, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation works in partnership with but is financially independent of the district. Our main purpose is to raise, grow and steward funds along with other community resources to support the students and staff of Bellevue Public Schools. The foundation also oversees the Alumni Association to engage alumni and help with reunion connections. The Foundation is governed by an all-volunteer board who are passionate about public education and committed to student success.

The BPS Foundation staff, Board of Directors and volunteers have a big vision, reaching goals and new aspirations for 2022. We are excited to announce that, in partnership with Bellevue University, we will be awarding over $130,000 in scholarships this year!

We are also excited to announce a $50,000 investment to the Bellevue Public Schools Frank Kumor Career Center which we celebrated out our Annual Gala in the Fall. Also, we awarded another $50,000 to our students and teachers through Classroom Grants! These investments enhance high school students’ education with real-life and relevant learning experiences.

None of this is possible without our community partners and worldwide individual donors. Together, we make a positive impact on the students and families of Bellevue. From all of us at the BPS Foundation, we thank you for your continued partnership!

For more information about the BPS Foundation or to invest in our activities please visit:www.bps-foundation.org

MIDLANDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Community is at the heart of everything we do at the Midlands Community Foundation (MCF), and when our community faced unprecedented challenges this last fiscal year due to the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis, we centered ourselves to help find partnerships, hope and inspiration through these troubling times. Together we created the MCF Coronavirus Response Fund which financially supported more than 50 nonprofit organizations providing critical services to our community. By uniting the passion and commitment of our donors, community leaders, MCF Board of Directors and staff, we created sustainable solutions that help our nonprofits pivot in this unchartered environment.

As we prepare for what comes next, we are committed to building more programs, projects, and initiatives to resolve and lead to positive change that strengthens Sarpy and Cass Counties. MCF is clear and resolved in our mission: to lead positive systemic change that strengthens Cass and Sarpy counties. The pandemic has been a curve ball to all of us; yet MCF remains rooted in our commitment to recover and aid in the renewal of our communities.

Looking back, 2020 and 2021 MCF experienced growth and success as we dedicated ourselves to exploring the needs of Cass and Sarpy counties through our all our charitable gifts programs. grants, discretionary gifts and the MCF Coronavirus Response Fund. With the establishment of 21 new charitable funds, MCF now manages more than 160 charitable funds that serve the diverse needs of our community. Between our grants, discretionary gifts, MCF Coronavirus Response Fund, and charitable funds, we infused more than $2.8 million back into the community at the end of our calendar year, 2021.

We are proud to report that 91% of every dollar donated to MCF is used directly to support programming.

As we move forward, we are proud of what MCF has accomplished in 2020 and 2021, and we are excited about the future. We are honored to assist individual donors and groups in fulfilling their charitable desires. Our community is strong and vibrant, and together we will continue to make our visions a reality by continuing to “Invest in the Power of Community.”

For additional information or to contribute funds, visit: MidlandsCommunity.org.