Nebraska Cultural Endowment Call To Action

A year end message from Marian Fey, Executive Director of the Nebraska Cultural Endowment

Through the generosity of donors like you and our unique partnership with the state, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment is poised reach $10,000,000 at both the public and private funds by the end of the year. The earnings from this permanently endowed $20,000,000 are critical in supporting the grants and programs of Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Arts Council. The two councils have already sustained a 4% cut in state funds, and will face another 8% cut in next year’s state appropriations.

Already in 2016 we have tripled the number of first-time contributions since 2014 and more individual gifts than ever are being received from across the state. This year, more than $780,000 has gone directly into grants and programs through the Nebraska Arts Council and Humanities Nebraska as a result of the growth of both the public and private funds. During the 2016 Legislative Session, State Senators passed a bill providing a pathway for another $5,000,000 in state matching funds over the next ten years. Clearly, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment is fulfilling its mission to cultivate a legacy of stability, advocacy, and leadership for the arts and humanities in Nebraska.

Right now we are presented with a tremendous opportunity and a short time line. The NCE is seeking to complete the All for the Match Campaign and take advantage of a 4:1 challenge grant. The result of this campaign is that all gifts to the NCE are more than doubled through December. That means more than twice the investment in Nebraska’s arts and humanities and even greater stability for the organizations you care about during uncertain times.

Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to the Nebraska Cultural Endowment before the end of the year and helping us close out our campaign and secure the challenge grant funds. The long-term security provided by the NCE is needed now more than ever.

Return your gift in the enclosed envelope or visit our website at www.nebraskaculture.org where you can make a donation by credit card and learn more about the impact you have on arts and culture in Nebraska.

Thank you again for your support of the Nebraska Cultural Endowment and peace to you this holiday season.