Again this year, we are pleased to be able to grant additional dollars to our member agencies through the proceeds of the CHAD Curt Gordon Memorial Foundation. The Foundation has $28,550.00 to distribute for 2024. We received a record 14 agency applications. To apply, agencies were required to have 100% participation by their employees in their local CHAD or United Way/CHAD Campaign. Agencies were also rated to make sure they were meeting member agency expectations as defined by the membership expectations sheet. Funds were requested for new programs or expansions of existing programs. Programs outside of the Omaha metro area were given higher consideration.
After Committee Members’ extensive pre-work and the presented overview of each request, the committee decided to award grants to the following nine organizations:
● Autism Action Partnership (AAP) - $1,800.00 AAP has been instrumental in offering autism training to first responders across Nebraska since 2018, notably aiding the Omaha Police Department with Project Lifesaver. They aim to extend this training, along with sensory kits, to two additional communities outside Omaha in 2024, targeting places like Columbus, Fremont, and Plattsmouth.
● American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Nebraska (AFSP) - $5,000.00 The AFSP and their volunteers have successfully been creating grief kits, which are distributed to those affected by suicide through schools, funeral homes, and counseling centers across Nebraska following suicide incidents. Since 2020, the program has grown and is now offering kits tailored for children, teenagers, and adults. Each kit, reflecting thoughtful branding and age-appropriate contents, plays a crucial role in the grieving process, reaching far communities like Norfolk and Scottsbluff.
● Nebraska Chapter of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation - $1,000.00 Formerly known as the National Hemophilia Foundation, the organization is holding a retreat in Kearney for adolescents with hemophilia or other blood disorders. The grant proceeds assist with transportation from Lincoln and Omaha, accommodations, and other necessities for at least 10 participants, providing a vital support network and mentorship opportunities along with an infusion clinic to help the young people practice treatment with their medication.
● Heart Heroes, Inc. (HH) - $1800 HH is expanding support events and outreach for south central Nebraska families affected by congenital heart disease (CHD). These events, are vital for the emotional development of children with CHD, and this grant helps to cover expenses like venue, printing, and travel, facilitating an environment for shared experiences and support.
● Nebraska Hospice & Palliative Care Association (NHPCA) - $2,500.00 In collaboration with Children's Hospital Omaha, NHPCA is looking to provide pediatric hospice training statewide. Most hospice providers in the state do not currently accept pediatric patients due to lack of training in pediatrics. This initiative ensures that pediatric hospice care is accessible regardless of location, offering crucial training to nurses with the added benefit of continuing education credits.
● Nebraska Kidney Association (NKA) - $3,250.00 Facing an increased demand, the NKA has been awarded a grant to supplement their emergency assistance program for kidney disease patients. With rising economic challenges, the program, which offers financial aid to dialysis patients, has seen a significant growth in applicants, demonstrating a critical need for additional support.
● Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP) - $5,000.00 NAP aims to provide holiday food assistance to families affected by HIV in Nebraska, particularly in smaller communities. The initiative, which has seen growing demand since 2020, offers dignity and cultural respect through food gift cards, allowing clients to choose food that fits their cultural celebrations. NAP is the sole administrator of an insurance plan that their clients utilize to help afford their medications and treatment. The insurance plan renews in November and December making it critical that they connect with clients during this time of year. The CGMF has supported this through grants since its inception.
● Nebraska Health Care Foundation (NHCF) - $5,000.00 NHCF plans to translate the Basic Nursing Assistant Training Manual into Spanish. This translation is vital for expanding access to training materials across the state, particularly in community colleges and healthcare facilities, ensuring inclusivity in healthcare education. Many healthcare facilities are closing their doors due to lack of staff. Translating the training manual would open the door to for many more nursing assistants to enter the work place.
● United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska (UCP) - $3,000.00 UCP is expanding their Family Focus program to western Nebraska, including Grand Island and Kearney. This expansion aims to connect families dealing with cerebral palsy through activities, increasing awareness and support for their programs and technology tools. Programs would will bring families currently using the tech-tools libraries (which were previously funded by our grants) together.