The Strength
of Community.

After the flooding of 2019, Fremont area residents might have wondered what could be worse. They got their answer with the pandemic of 2020.

Fremont received a one-two punch that would have knocked out lesser communities, yet we’re still our feet — and fighting back! How do we do it? Through the Strength of Community!

The Fremont Area Community Foundation rallied community members to secure flood recovery funds and organize the COVID-19 response. The foundation supported grassroots efforts to enhance firefighter safety equipment and training, and help high school seniors mark the milestone of graduation. It inspired youth and adults to give of their time and treasure for individual projects and Fremont Area Big Give, and it helped ensure that groups receiving grant funds remain sustainable.

Connecting people’s desire to help with causes in need has always been a goal of the Fremont Area Community Foundation. This year has proven that harnessing that Strength of Community is more important than ever.

Thank you for your partnership!

Melissa Diers Executive Director

Bob Hillis Board President

^$29.5 Million

Total Assets
487 Grants

Totaling $1,625,626
6 New Funds

201Total Funds
76 Scholarships

$97,356Awarded

GRASSROOTS EFFORTS

A STRONG New Fund for the Fremont Rural Fire Department

Through fire, flood and other life-threatening events, the volunteer-driven Fremont Rural Fire Department is at the ready to serve. And the Fremont Rural Fire Department Fund, a new component fund under the FACF umbrella, is supporting their efforts to enhance safety equipment, training and other needs beyond the scope and capacity of its operating budget.

The fund helps facilitate donations—like that of Farm Bureau Financial Services, Sherry Leriger and Chief Grain Bins who collaborated to provide a cofferdam rescue tube to be used in grain bin rescues. Honored as heroes by Governor Pete Ricketts for their efforts during the 2019 flood, the members of the Fremont Rural Fire Department exemplify the spirit and Strength of Community.

Post Prom Committee Shows STRENGTH Amid Change

The Fremont Bergan Post Prom Party Committee works hard every year to plan a memorable event for approximately 450 Fremont High School and Archbishop Bergan juniors and seniors who need a safe way to celebrate after the prom.

Last year, the Post Prom event was cancelled due to COVID-19, but the committee did award $6,500 worth of prizes to local seniors. This year’s event was held in person and the community—as it typically does—rallied around the event, providing donations and volunteer assistance.

Youth Philanthropy Contest

Girl Scout POWERS Through Pandemic With Project

Emily Brodd, a North Bend Central High School senior, wanted to refurbish the local scout cabin even before it was damaged by flooding in 2019, and when COVID-19 put a hitch in her plans, she just kept going. That’s the Strength of Community.

Emily received a $1,000 grant through FACF’s Youth Philanthropy Contest for the project, which includes installing new windows, insulation, drywall, flooring and cabinets; painting the walls; and remodeling the bathroom. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other community members have helped, but when COVID-19 prevented the volunteers from meeting in person, Emily and her family kept right on working.

FREMONT AREA BIG GIVE

Community Delivers STRONG Response to 24-Hour Event

Despite an ongoing pandemic, the community banded together to deliver a strong showing for the Fremont Area Big Give — raising more than $325,000 for 66 area nonprofits in May 2020. More than 2,000 individual donations were received during the 24-hour giving event, including a large number of traditional donations which are typically in the $10 range.

Because of COVID-19, the Fremont Area Community Foundation opened early giving a week early and placed more emphasis on online donations. The Fremont Area Big Give, which aims to grow philanthropy in the greater Dodge County area, has raised over $1.25 million through more than 9,000 donations over five years.

$325,000

Raised for 66 area nonprofits through a record 2,000+ individual donations in 2020.

According to Suzanne Smith, Executive Director of The Bridge, Jumpstart “was exactly what our agency needed to help us move to the next level of meaningful fundraising."

Capacity Building

Jumpstart Helps Area Nonprofits Remain STRONG

Several area nonprofits are stronger members of their communities thanks to Jumpstart, a program of the Fremont Area Community Foundation. The free year- long program helps nonprofits become more effective in engaging supporters and raising funds. Technical assistance including professional coaching, technology and development planning helps nonprofits leverage their limited resources and staff time to effectively engage donors in their work.

And Jumpstart helps ensure that programs receiving foundation grants are sustainable over the long term. Nonprofits participating in 2020 included The Bridge, Scribner Area Foundation, Fremont Area United Way, LifeHouse and Calvin Crest Camp Conference and Retreat Center, and a new Jumpstart cohort is now underway comprised of the Fremont Area Art Association, Roots to Wings and Uniquely Yours Support Services.

FLOOD RECOVERY

$125,000 Grant STRENGTHENS Flood Mitigation Efforts

As recovery continued in the wake of the 2019 flooding, the Greater Dodge County Long-Term Recovery Group—comprised of public and nonprofit partners like the Fremont Area Community Foundation—applied for and received a $125,000 grant from the Rebuild the Heartland Community Fund, established in partnership between First National Bank of Omaha and the Nebraska Community Foundation.

The grant will offset homeowners’ 25% contribution for mitigation efforts with the remainder paid by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Projects to be funded range from new housing construction to foundation, drywall and insulation repairs. Although almost 1,800 Fremont families have been approved for FEMA assistance, the Strength of Community continues to fuel local recovery.

COVID RESPONSE

First Lady Susanne Shore (center) provided $15,000 in Hy-Vee gift cards to help area families impacted by COVID-19.

Task Force Takes Action to Keep Communities STRONG During COVID-19 Pandemic

Fremont responded to COVID-19 with the Strength of Community by forming the Fremont Area COVID-19 Response Task Force in March of 2020. The Fremont Area Community Foundation spearheaded the effort, which involves more than 40 individuals and organizations. Represented are area school districts; nonprofits; health organizations; the cities of Fremont, North Bend and Scribner; clergy; and business and industry.

The task force aims to identify needs, determine which entity is best equipped to address them and removes barriers to people getting help. Members work to ensure that area youth and their families impacted by the pandemic receive the food and other assistance they need, and emerge more resilient than before.

Sustaining growth through gifts from our Legacy Society

FACF created a Legacy Society to recognize and thank individuals and families who plan to leave a gift to the community through a bequest, trust, life insurance policy, retirement plan, or charitable annuity.

Members of our Legacy Society care about the future of the Fremont area and realize that their gifts will strengthen the projects and programs of local nonprofit organizations and the people they serve. We thank the following members for their foresight and generosity…

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE COMPLETE LIST

TREE PLANTING CEREMONY

During the dedication ceremony for new playground equipment and a fountain at Johnson Park, kids and adults helped plant a tree in recognition of the Fremont Area Community Foundation’s 40th anniversary.

Finding Strength for the Journey Ahead

No one wants to face a crisis alone, and fortunately, we don’t have to. The Strength of Community allows us to band together and tackle challenges no one person or organization could manage.

With the pandemic of 2020 following on the heels of 2019’s 500-year flood, the Fremont Area Community Foundation served as a catalyst in the development of solutions. And we provided strategic grant-making to help area residents survive and thrive.

Moving forward, the foundation will continue to improve the quality of life in the Fremont area by connecting donor interests with community needs large and small. Together, and through the power of endowment, we will tackle whatever the future brings with the Strength of Community.

Define Your Legacy
How to start your own fund. Donate Now
Discover the ways to give.

Fremont Area Community Foundation

1005 E 23rd St #2 | Fremont, NE 68025 | (402) 721-4252 |

Website design and development by IdeaBank Marketing

The Strength of Community.