NEBRASKA CITY – The Nebraska City Community Foundation launched the homegrown challenge with donations from the Bill and Betty Davis Family Gratitude Challenge and Kiel and Mimi VanderVeen.

The homegrown challenge grant will grow the endowment by $750,000 if the local foundation can raise $500,000 by the end of 2027.

Melissa Turner, the foundation’s past chairman, said a successful challenge will add about $50,000 a year in granting opportunities.

Turner: “We’re looking for projects that we can be involved in that will invest in people and inspire a culture of giving.”

Denise Davis said the Sherwood Foundation challenge got the Nebraska City Community Foundation going 10 years ago, but the current challenge is truly a homegrown challenge as envisioned by the Nebraska Community Foundation.

 

Davis: “We have two hometown boys, dear Kiel and Mark. They both grew up here. This is their hometown. Whether they stay near or go far, Nebraska City is always dear to them.”

Mark Davis, who owns disaster restoration companies with his business partner and friend Frank Torre Jr., said he was raised in Nebraska City with the idea of service over self.

 

Davis: “I call it a commitment – I even call it a responsibility of giving – that Bill and Betty Davis made an important influence on us as young children. It wasn’t about having money. It was about the mindset of giving.”

The contribution of $100,000 from both the Davis and VanderVeen families inspired more contributions shortly after the announcement. Torre also pledged $100,000, leaving the local foundation $150,000 short of its goal to earn the $250,000 match from the homegrown challenge.

 

 

Davis: “This won’t be the last time we’re making a contribution on the Bill and Betty Davis Gratitude Challenge. We’re going to exceed this goal. We’re going to really make a serious impact in the size of the endowment and look forward to decades of prosperity for the great city of Nebraska City.”

The Nebraska City Community Foundation has recently supported the Five to Thrive Community Collaborative, Dream Switch live production and Community Prosperity Initiative.