The Columbus Area Future Fund, an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation, recently announced the recipients of their “Welcoming and Belonging Community Grant Challenge” funds.

A total of $20,000 was awarded to eight local projects with the goal of making Columbus a more welcoming place where people feel like they belong. The eight recipients were among the 18 total projects that submitted grant applications in the amount of $137,800. A Welcoming Grant Committee reviewed all applications and selected those that best fit the vision of the Columbus Area Future Fund, and aligned most closely to the goal of the Welcoming Grant Challenge.

“We were absolutely blown away by the number of applications and interest in our Welcoming Community Grant Challenge,” said Columbus Area Future Fund Chairperson, Dee Hanson, “Being a totally new type of Grant process for our Fund, and really for any fund throughout the region, we had no idea what to expect. The creative problem solving and passion for helping folks to feel like they belong in our Community from all of the applicants was truly inspiring.” 

The Welcoming and Belonging Community Grant Challenge Recipients are:

·         Columbus High School B.I.O.N.I.C. – Welcoming new students program

·         Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce - Spanish translation of community information

·         Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce – Columbus GO! Young professionals organization

·         Columbus Area United Way – Local resource mailer

·         Columbus Area Convention and Visitors Bureau – Spanish translation of visitor’s guide

·         Columbus Christian School - Spanish translation of information for new families

·         Columbus Christian School - Spring celebration for the general public

·         Columbus Public Schools Foundation – New CPS staff welcoming activities

Check presentations will be made to all grant recipients during the month of May, and the Columbus Area Future Fund will be in communication with those organizations as the projects are carried out.

“Columbus Area Future Fund really took an innovative approach to their goal of building a more welcoming community,” said KC Belitz, Chief Operating Officer of the Nebraska Community Foundation, “This is really important work in terms of attracting and keeping people in Nebraska hometowns! NCF is really excited to see what is learned from this process and looking forward to sharing this across the NCF network.”