Mission
Growing a permanent endowment to continue to make a difference in people’s lives.
Inspiring a thriving community where giving back is a priority for all citizens.
Partnering with others in our community to foster teamwork and create a culture of giving.
Vision
Shaping the future by helping create and sustain innovative projects, services and opportunities that enhance the Norfolk area.
Values
We believe in being fair, reliable and trustworthy with donors, recipients and the community.
We believe in operating with integrity by following through on commitments, maintaining confidentiality, complying with the law and honoring donor intent.
We believe in showing respect to community members by considering their thoughts, feelings and life experiences.
Our Impact
Total grants and disbursements from NACFF since 2005
History
1999: A seminar involving nonprofit organizations begins discussing the benefits of creating a community foundation to rekindle and deepen a belief in the future of Norfolk.
2001: The Norfolk Community Foundation Fund is formed with an initial investment of nearly $28,000 and support is given to the Holiday Rhapsody of Lights.
2007-08: An endowment account is established in which the principal is preserved and only interest is used for specified purposes and grants, with the account at just over $8,500 as of 2008.
2010: Name changes to Norfolk Area Community Foundation Fund.
2011: NACFF receives the Nebraska Community Foundation Community Legacy Award after all members of the Fund Advisory Committee make a bequest to the community of Norfolk.
2011: Northeast Nebraska Philanthropy Council account is established.
2012: Norfolk is one of four communities chosen to participate in the first round of the Sherwood Challenge — launching a four-year effort to build an unrestricted endowment of $500,000 with a $250,000 match.
2012: First Youth Philanthropy Contest is hosted by Northeast Nebraska Philanthropy Council.
2013: Six community visioning sessions involving more than 120 participants are hosted to determine granting areas. First grants totaling $32,500 are awarded to S.M.I.L.E., GED in Espanol, Norfolk Public Schools Foundation, Norfolk Arts Center, The Zone Afterschool Program and the Great American Comedy Festival.
2014: NACFF hires first full-time fund coordinator.
2015: The Sherwood Challenge matching grant goal is reached to build an unrestricted endowment.
2017: The unrestricted endowment account surpasses $1 million for the first time.
2017: Embrace Park opens in Norfolk with an inclusive playground, raising funds through an account with NACFF.
2019: NACFF distributes $100,000 in relief for organizations after the 2019 floods.
2020-21: NACFF distributes $50,000 in COVID-19 relief funds to organizations for assistance during the pandemic.
2023: Norfolk Childcare Cooperative account is established.
Members of the Fund Advisory Committee
Jessica Walker
Leonor Fuhrer
Andrea Libengood
Leann Widhalm
Tracy Kruse
Jesus Corrales
Troy Berryman
Honorary Fund Advisory Committee Members
Jim Bradford
Steve Busskohl
Brandon Day
Tammy Day
Bob Dudley
Jared Faltys
Joe Ferguson
Paula Pflueger
Pamela Handke
Betty Froehlich
Tara Buell-Korth
Andrew Steffensmeier
Tim Pearson
Emily Afrank
Tracey Buettner
Accounts
*Unrestricted Endowment
A permanent account whose assets are invested to generate an ongoing source of income year after year. Investment earnings from the endowment are used to support community improvements and programs. The Fund Advisory Committee determines how the money generated from the endowment will be used to benefit the community now and in the future.
Northeast Nebraska Philanthropy Council Account
An account to support and promote philanthropy in Norfolk, Nebraska and its surrounding area through a collaboration of charitable organizations known as the “Northeast Nebraska Philanthropy Council”. Activities of the “Northeast Nebraska Philanthropy Council” include educating donors on local philanthropic opportunities, mutual support, training, collaboration and convening.
Liberty Centre Services Endowment
An endowment to support Liberty Centre Services, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to help people recover from mental illness and become contributing members of society.
COVID-19 Response Account
The purpose of the account is to raise funds and make grants to local charities working to address the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Norfolk Childcare Cooperative Account
The purpose of this account is to address the shortage of child care and early childhood education programming and facilities in the Norfolk, Nebraska area, through planning activities such as a feasibility study, establishment of a childcare cooperative group to serve the community, or other activities to determine the viability of a child development center.
Nebraska Community Foundation
The Norfolk Area Community Foundation Fund is an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.
The Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) is the umbrella organization for more than 270 community foundations and funds in Nebraska. NCF provides a number of benefits to our foundation, including:
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Oversight to ensure all expenditures meet 501(c)3 requirements
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Staff to assist with training, programming, planning, and more
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Donor counseling and gift planning
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Management and investment services for donated funds
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Legal, accounting, and audit services