NextGen Group awards Willard Pre-K Program $2000.00

February 02, 2015

Launch the media gallery 1 player

We want to thank NextGen Lincoln for choosing the Willard Community Center Pre-K Program to receive one of their first ever grant awards.  Katie Hazard presented Janelle Soderling, Executive Director, a check for $2000.00 for the start up costs for our new Pre-K Program at 1030 West "Q" Street.  The NextGen Lincoln grant group requested a video or play that depicted the need for the grant money.  With the help of two Willard staff, Wes Gorans and Erin Butcher, we were able to produce a video that showed the need for us to expand our early childhood education program and everything that the Willard Community Center is doing for all ages in this community.  We want to thank NextGen Lincoln for the opportunity to apply, and for choosing us to receive $2000.00 and for all the great work they are doing for Lincoln.

To find out more about this group see below.

NextGen Lincoln Giving Circle

Looking forward. Giving back.

NextGen Lincoln (NextGen) is a group of young adults who want to learn about community needs and be more actively engaged in local philanthropy through a giving circle at the Lincoln Community Foundation. NextGen was formed in 2014 with a Board of Advisors.  Membership is open to any young adult (typically between the ages of 21 and 40) who resides in Lincoln or Lancaster County, Nebraska, and who supports the purpose of NextGen Lincoln. Membership is contingent upon payment of annual dues ($300/household). 

In 2014, our inaugural year, NextGen Lincoln granted $10,000 to local nonprofits. Children and families was the priority for grantmaking, and four nonprofits were invited to "pitch" their applications. Members collectively voted in December to award the following grants:

• $5,000 to CEDARS Youth Services for their Bridges program, providing tangible supoprt to at-risk youth who are transitioning to independent living.
• $3,000 to Lincoln Literacy for their Family Literacy Activities for Immigrants and Refugees (FLAIR) program.
• $2,000 to the Willard Community Center for the licensed preschool program at the Lakeview Childcare House.