Lincoln Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $749,000 (2024 grants to nonprofits)
Total Assets: Over $185 million
Decision Time: Monthly reviews (rolling basis)
Grant Range: Up to $20,000
Geographic Focus: Lincoln and Lancaster County, Nebraska
Active Funds: 1,160+ funds including 586 donor advised funds

Contact Details

Address: 215 Centennial Mall S #100, Lincoln, NE 68508

Phone: 402-474-2345

Website: lcf.org

Grant Inquiries:

Michelle Paulk, Vice President for Grantmaking and Operations - michellep@lcf.org
Trish Reimer, Grants and Scholarship Manager - trishr@lcf.org - 402-474-2345

Overview

Founded in 1955, Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF) has grown to become one of Nebraska's premier philanthropic organizations with assets exceeding $185 million. The foundation's mission is "Inspiring our community to give, act and lead," providing leadership and resources to contribute to the development of a thriving Lincoln. In 2024, LCF distributed $749,000 in grants to 100 local nonprofits and awarded $570,000 in scholarships to 292 students. The foundation earned a Four-Star rating (100% score) from Charity Navigator and is accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®. Under the leadership of President/CEO Alec Gorynski, who joined in 2021, LCF emphasizes its role as a community steward, with Gorynski stating, "This is not my organization, this is the community's organization."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Open Door Grants: Up to $20,000 per grant

Available for operations, programs, or capital projects
Applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis with monthly reviews
Final submission deadline: November 30 annually
Nonprofits may apply once per calendar year
Funded through the Lincoln Forever Fund and donor endowment funds

Priority Areas

LCF supports efforts by nonprofits in Lincoln and Lancaster County to meet existing needs or address community challenges and opportunities. Funding areas include (but are not limited to):

Arts and Culture: Supporting cultural institutions, performing arts, and artistic programming
Community Improvement: Initiatives that enhance quality of life and community development
Education and Youth: Programs supporting student success and youth development
Environment and Animals: Environmental conservation and animal welfare projects
Health and Human Services: Healthcare access, mental health services, family support, and basic needs

What They Don't Fund

Organizations that discriminate
Religious purposes (though religious organizations may apply for secular programs)
Political purposes
Organizations located outside Lincoln/Lancaster County that do not provide services to the area

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Alec Gorynski, President & CEO (since 2021)

Background: 15+ years of community development experience across private, nonprofit, and government sectors
Previous roles: VP of Community Development and Corporate Philanthropy at First National Bank of Omaha; VP of Regional Community Affairs at Bank of the West
Education: MPA from University of Nebraska at Omaha; undergraduate degree from Peru State College
Philosophy: "I see myself in this job as a steward of the community... this is not my organization, this is the community's organization."
On community investment: "This community understands the important need for all children in Lincoln to receive high-quality early childhood education and care."

Key Staff

Tracy Edgerton - President
Sandi Hansen - Vice President, Philanthropy Services
Michelle Paulk - Vice President, Grantmaking and Operations
Tyrell Ross - Vice President, Finance
Jenny Chapin - Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Trish Reimer - Grants and Scholarship Manager

Board Leadership

Board members include leaders from diverse sectors including banking, healthcare, education, aviation, and community service. The board includes representatives from organizations such as:

Pinnacle Bank (Mark Hesser)
Olsson (John Olsson)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Kathy Farrell, Ronnie Green)
Duncan Aviation (Aaron Hilkemann)
Lincoln Industries (Kassy Knudson)
Buffett Early Childhood Fund (Eric Buchanan)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Create an account on the Blackbaud Award Management platform (accessible through lcf.org)
Complete the application - Designed to be simple and straightforward; professional grant writer not needed
Choose grant type: Select either Operations OR Program/Capital and answer only questions labeled with that type
Submit - Applications accepted throughout the year

Decision Timeline

Review Cycle: Monthly reviews of submitted applications
Application Period: Rolling basis, year-round
Final Deadline: November 30 each year for final submissions
Notification: Decisions made monthly; successful applicants notified and awards announced quarterly
Reporting: Brief evaluation required one year after grant award

Quarterly Award Announcements

In 2024, LCF announced grants quarterly:

Q1: $143,325 to 23 nonprofits
Q2: $275,271 to 23 nonprofits
Q3: $162,100 to 27 nonprofits
Q4: $163,500 to 25 nonprofits

Success Rates

In 2024, LCF awarded grants to 98-100 organizations (reported as both 98 and 100 in different sources). While exact application numbers are not publicly disclosed, the foundation distributed grants monthly throughout the year, suggesting a regular and active grantmaking process.

Reapplication Policy

Nonprofits may apply for one Open Door Grant per calendar year. Notably, applicants do not need to wait 12 months between applications - they can apply once per calendar year regardless of when their previous application was submitted or decided.

Application Success Factors

Evaluation Criteria

LCF evaluates applications based on four key factors:

Community Impact: The potential positive effect on Lincoln/Lancaster County residents and communities
Equity and Inclusion: How the project promotes accessibility and serves diverse populations
Organization Size/Financial Stability: The organization's capacity and sustainability
Reputation: The organization's track record and standing in the community

Recent Funding Patterns

Analysis of 2024 grants shows LCF funds a diverse range of organizations and purposes:

Youth Development & Education:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Lincoln/Lancaster County - Expansion at North Star High School
Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools - Adaptive communication devices for LPS students
Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools - Spark Summer Learning scholarships
Asian Community & Cultural Center - CareerLadder program for intensive English class for foreign-trained teachers

Arts & Culture:

Blixt Arts Lab - Support for FOSTER, a play focusing on early childhood education
Jazz in June - Sponsorship of 2024 season
Friends of Lied - "Around the Americas" featuring bilingual, sensory-friendly performances

Health & Human Services:

CenterPointe - Crisis Response staffing and programming
Legal Aid of Nebraska - Operating support for Lancaster County services
Clinic With a Heart - Operating support
Family Service WIC - Diapers for clients attending Spring Baby Shower
Lincoln Medical Education Partnership - The Market (diapers and personal hygiene products)
Bryan Foundation - Funding for 350 lockboxes for weapons

Community Development:

Lincoln Children's Museum - Museums for All program with subsidized admission
Cultural Centers of Lincoln - Capital campaign for new facility
Malone Community Center - Capital campaign for new facility

Application Tips

Keep it simple: The foundation emphasizes that applications are designed to be straightforward without requiring professional grant writing expertise
Choose your category carefully: Select either Operations OR Program/Capital support and focus your responses accordingly
Demonstrate community impact: Clearly articulate how your project will benefit Lincoln/Lancaster County residents
Address equity: Show consideration for how your program promotes inclusion and serves diverse populations
One application per year: Be strategic about timing your application since you can only apply once per calendar year
Follow-up matters: Be prepared to complete a brief evaluation one year after receiving the grant

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Rolling reviews mean faster decisions: With monthly reviews rather than annual cycles, you can get a decision relatively quickly and don't have to wait for a specific deadline (except the November 30 annual cutoff)
Maximum $20,000 grants: Plan your request accordingly - this is for smaller to mid-size projects and organizational needs
Local focus is essential: Must serve Lincoln/Lancaster County, Nebraska - this is non-negotiable
Flexibility in use: Grants can support operations, programs, or capital projects, giving applicants flexibility in how they request support
Equity matters: The foundation explicitly evaluates equity and inclusion, so demonstrate how your work serves diverse populations
Simplicity is valued: The foundation designed the process to be accessible without professional grant writers - focus on clear, straightforward communication
Calendar year limit: Strategic timing matters since you can only apply once per calendar year, but you don't need to wait 12 months between applications

References

Lincoln Community Foundation official website - lcf.org - Accessed January 6, 2026
"Open Door Grants" - Lincoln Community Foundation - https://www.lcf.org/helping-nonprofits/open-door-grants - Accessed January 6, 2026
"Lincoln Community Foundation 2024 Open Door Grants" - https://lcf.org/about/news/grants-awarded.html/article/2025/01/30/lincoln-community-foundation-2024-open-door-grants - Accessed January 6, 2026
"Lincoln Community Foundation awards more than $1.3 Million to support nonprofits & students" - https://www.lcf.org/news/article/2024-lcf-grants - Accessed January 6, 2026
Charity Navigator - Rating for Lincoln Community Foundation Inc. - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/470458128 - Accessed January 6, 2026
"Alec Gorynski named Lincoln Community Foundation CEO" - Lincoln Journal Star - https://journalstar.com/news/local/alec-gorynski-named-lincoln-community-foundation-ceo/ - Accessed January 6, 2026
"The new CEO at Lincoln Community Foundation: Alec Gorynski" - Lincoln Journal Star - https://journalstar.com/niche/l-magazine/profiles/the-new-ceo-at-lincoln-community-foundation-alec-gorynski/ - Accessed January 6, 2026
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Lincoln Community Foundation Inc - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/470458128 - Accessed January 6, 2026
"Community Raises More Than $667,000 for Early Care and Education" - Lincoln Community Foundation - https://www.lcf.org/news/article/lincoln-littles-2023-results - Accessed January 6, 2026
Lincoln Community Foundation Staff Directory - https://www.lcf.org/about/staff - Accessed January 6, 2026