How the Ameritas Charitable Foundation Supports Local Needs in Nebraska

Ameritas is an insurance company that serves over 5.3 million customers and has strong charitable interests in Nebraska. With its headquarters in Lincoln, the company runs the Ameritas Charitable Foundation, a corporate foundation operating since 1985.

Here are some top things to know about the Ameritas Charitable Foundation so you can approach this funder for support in Nebraska.

The Ameritas approach to philanthropy

Each year, Ameritas gives over $1.7 million to nonprofits, and its associates also donate their time to charitable volunteering. The company has a community giving program that addresses needs in a few specific fields.

Education and job training are top priorities for Ameritas, and it funds tutoring and mentoring programs, financial literacy, capital improvements in academic settings, and a Life Lessons Scholarship. To take its commitment to financial literacy a step further, Ameritas supports financial stability programs that address food scarcity, classes for first-time home buyers and other financial training services for people in need.

To support health-related services, Ameritas funds organizations researching for cures, treating chronic diseases, providing mental health services and taking care of homeless animals. Ameritas is interested in arts and culture and funds groups that focus on creative education, diversity and inclusion programming, museums, artistic performances, and ideas to make art more inclusive. Sustainability is another issue area for Ameritas, and it supports community leadership, civic and economic development, environmental enhancements, and community involvement.

Commitment to the United Way

The United Way has always been a top recipient of Ameritas' funding. The company conducts annual United Way campaigns, donates to local chapters, conducts its own internal and public campaigns, and has company employees serve on United Way committees.

Aside from the United Way, the Ameritas Charitable Foundation has recently awarded grants to the Lincoln Children's Zoo, The Bridge Behavioral Health and the Lincoln YMCA.

How to request support

Ameritas has an accessible grant application process for small grants and provides a community giving application form on its website for requests up to $5,000. This community giving program accepts applications throughout the year. Corporate support primarily stays in Nebraska and the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area.

Larger grants are available by invitation only. However, the funder welcomes email introductions from new organizations and is interested in learning about potential grantees. The foundation meets in the spring and fall to consider applications received by March 1 and October 1.

You can read more about this funder IP’s complete profile of the Ameritas Charitable Foundation, which is part of our Nebraska funding guide.

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