George Abel Sr

Since the beginning, the values of the Abel family have always included returning a measure of its success to the community through contributions. The first substantial gift from the Abel family was made in memory of George P. Abel, Sr. in 1944 to the newly formed University of Nebraska Foundation.

As the success of the family business increased, more contributions were made to various organizations. George P. Abel Jr. incorporated the Abel Foundation in 1946 as an orderly means of coordinating the family’s gifts.

Since that time, the Abel Foundation has awarded a number of major gifts to Nebraska projects, which have greatly promoted the quality of life in Nebraska communities.

Funding Priorities

Education

At the Abel Foundation, we place a strong emphasis on education, from early childhood to post-secondary education. We support the improvement of teaching and learning of all types in our community.

Human Services

We support human services programs in our community. Note: agencies receiving United Way funding for specific programs should not apply for support from Abel Foundation for those programs.

Civic / Community

We provide support for projects that enhance the community as a whole. Special emphasis is placed on “bricks and mortar” project requests.

Arts & Culture

We support arts and humanities programs that will enhance the community though education, performance and creativity.

Environment

We support conservation efforts which preserve the natural environments required by our native species to survive.

Recent Grant Recipients

American Red Cross Support for their First Aid Support Team
Angels Among Us Support for their pediatric cancer financial assistance program
Asian Community & Cultural Center Support for their programming and general operations
BraveBe Child Advocacy Center General programming support
CEDARS Support for their Indoor Activity Center capital campaign
Educare Lincoln Support for their early childhood education program
Family Service Association of Lincoln Support for the "FiftyOne Commons" capital campaign
Good Life Community Development Support for the Ybor's Second Chance Kitchen initiative
I’ve Got a Name Support for their street outreach team assisting victims of human trafficking
Junior Achievement Support for their economic education programs
Lincoln Bike Kitchen Support for their capital campaign to renovate their new headquarters
Lincoln International FC General operations grant
Lincoln Literacy Support for their capital campaign to acquire and renovate their new headquarters
Lincoln Littles Support for their early childcare and education programs
Lincoln Symphony Orchestra Support for concert series
Linked2Literacy Support for their early learning and literacy programs
Live Yes Studios Support for their rehabilitive services and Fine and Performing Arts operations
Malone Center Support for their "Breaking the Cycle" capital campaign
Mourning Hope Grief Center Support for their youth bereavement program
Museum of Nebraska Art Support for their expansion, restoration, and renovation capital campaign
Nebraska Public Media Support for the Ron Hull Television Studio capital campaign
Neighborworks Lincoln Support for their capital campaign to renovate their offices
Rabble Mill Suppor for their programming and general operations
Southeast Community College Support for their scholarships program
St. Monica's Support for their programming and general operations
Tabitha, Inc. Support for the Meals-On-Wheels program
TeamMates Mentoring Program Support for their mentoring programming
The Builder Foundation Support for the 'Builders of the Future' operations
White Cane Foundation Support for their need-based student clothing and hygiene product program
YMCA of Lincoln Support for capital campaign for Camp Kitaki's new Welcome Center
Lincoln YMCA Support for the Strong Kids campaign.
Center Pointe Support for their operations.
Lincoln Children’s Zoo Support for their facilities.
Food Bank of Lincoln Support for their children’s hunger programs.
Teammates Support for their mentoring program.
Matt Talbot Kitchen Support for their capital campaign and outreach.
Southeast Community College Support for their scholarships program.
Special Olympics – Nebraska Support for the Unified Champion Schools campaign.
Junior Achievement Support for their economic education programs.
Bright Lights Support for their need-based scholarship program.
Nebraska Land Trust Support for conservation easements in the Lower Platte River Basin.
Nebraska Community Foundation Support for southeast Nebraska counties.
Child Guidance Center Support for their capital campaign and outreach.
Tabitha, Inc. Support for the Meals-On-Wheels program.
Nebraska Shakespeare Festival Support for the 2017 Festival.
Lincoln Symphony Orchestra Support for concert series.
Fresh Start Support for their program.
St. Monica’s Support for their capital campaign.
Boys & Girls Club – Lincoln Support for their Capital Campaign.
Friendship Home Support for their operations.
Lighthouse Support for ‘Illuminating Lincoln’ project.

Grant Application

Guidelines

We fund projects in Nebraska, primarily in Lincoln and Lancaster County, as well as communities where NEBCO and its affiliated companies have operations.

Funding requests will be considered when the applicant organization uses the Lincoln/Lancaster Grant-Makers Application Form.

We do not fund non-501(c)(3) organizations; endowments; individuals; businesses; private foundations; religious issues; travel; or membership.

Application Submission

The Abel Foundation meets in March, June, September, and December each year, but applications may not be reviewed at every meeting. Any applications qualifying for review will be considered within 1 to 3 months of receipt. Grant application deadlines are: February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15.

Submit just one copy of the application either by email or hard copy.

Payment Schedule:
Applications must provide the date(s) when funds are needed. Generally, we will issue payment up on approval of the request.

Re-Application:
We do not accept applications from organizations: (a) that have had requests approved or declined in the past 12 months; or (b) that are currently receiving payments for a multi-year grant.

The Abel Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and annually files a Form 990-PF to the Internal Revenue Service.  These records are available for inspection at: guidestar.org or by appointment at our office located at 1815 Y Street, Lincoln, NE  68501.  Please fill out the “Contact Us” for further information.

Contact Us

Abel Foundation

1815 Y Street / P.O. Box 80268
Lincoln, NE 68501

Phone: (402) 434-1212
Fax: (402) 434-1799
nebcoinfo@nebcoinc.com

1815 Y Street / P.O. Box 80268
Lincoln, NE 68501

Phone: (402) 434-1212
Fax: (402) 434-1799

nebcoinfo@nebcoinc.com