Grants Support Affordable Housing, Workforce Development and Financial Literacy Programs

OMAHA, Neb. August 26, 2025 – FNBO has awarded a total of $1,730,000 in Impact Grants to 90 organizations in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, South Dakota, Wyoming and Texas, announced Christina Kahler, Managing Director, Philanthropy and Marketing. The grants support programs dedicated to FNBO's pillars of giving in the areas of affordable housing, workforce development and financial literacy.

"Over the years, we've witnessed the profound transformation these programs create for individuals and families," Kahler said. "When people acquire the tools to build lasting financial security, they don't just empower themselves, they strengthen entire communities. It's an honor to announce these grants annually, and we're excited to see the meaningful change these organizations will impact."

Nebraska and Iowa

FNBO awarded $1,140,000 in Impact Grants to 53 organizations across Nebraska and western Iowa:

• $25,000 for Autism Action Partnership (Omaha): Supports Prosper Workforce Services (PWS), a workforce development program providing specialized employment preparation and job placement services for Nebraska residents on the autism spectrum.
• $25,000 for Canopy South (Omaha): Supports the Home Repair Program, which provides critical home improvements, including accessibility modifications, energy upgrades and other enhancements to increase housing stability and build generational wealth.
• $20,000 for Catholic Charities of Omaha (Omaha): Supports the Business Development Program, which provides comprehensive, individualized entrepreneurship assistance to low-income business owners.
• $20,000 for Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) (Omaha): Supports refugee employment through individualized job placement services and ongoing support toward self-sufficiency.
• $25,000 for Child Saving Institute, Inc. (Omaha): Supports the Independent Living Skills Program, which equips former foster youth aged 14-26 with essential life skills and resources needed to achieve independence and stability as they transition to adulthood.
• $20,000 for Completely KIDS (Omaha): Supports the Adult Education Program, which provides essential skill development courses to low-income caregivers with free childcare during flexible class schedules.
• $50,000 for Credit Advisors Foundation (Omaha): Supports the Financial Counseling Program, which provides financial counseling, helping customers address credit issues and prepare for loans.
• $10,000 for Crossroads Center (Grand Island): Supports the 4-Phase Recovery Program, which offers shelter, meals, life-skills training, personalized case management and workforce development for unhoused men in Grand Island.
• $10,000 for ECHO Collective (Lincoln): Supports The Refinery Program, which provides entrepreneurship curriculum to equip participants with business knowledge, mentorship and ongoing resources to successfully launch and grow small businesses.
• $10,000 for Educare of Lincoln, Inc. (Lincoln): Supports the Early Childhood Education Program, which provides free, year-round care for children up to age 5, enabling parents to work while ensuring kindergarten readiness.
• $20,000 for Fremont Habitat for Humanity (Fremont): Supports the Affordable Housing Program, which builds and rehabilitates homes for low-income families who contribute sweat equity, complete homeowner education and purchase homes with affordable mortgages.
• $25,000 for Front Porch Investments (Omaha): Supports the Development and Preservation Fund, which provides low-interest financing for affordable housing projects that create sustainable community impact.
• $10,000 for Go Beyond Nebraska (Omaha): Supports the Natural Leaders Program, which offers underrepresented youth workforce development experiences while removing financial barriers.
• $10,000 for Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity (Grand Island): Supports the annual home-building initiative that creates pathways to homeownership for individuals and families.
• $20,000 for GROW Nebraska (Omaha): Supports the Greater Nebraska Women's Business Center's Entrepreneurship Program, which provides training and professional consultations to help small business owners develop essential skills.
• $25,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Columbus (Columbus and Norfolk): Supports the annual home-building initiative that creates pathways to home ownership for individuals and families.
• $20,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs (Council Bluffs): Supports the Housing Program, which provides affordable homeownership opportunities and critical home repairs to income-qualified families, addressing unsafe living conditions and ensuring long-term housing stability.
• $50,000 for Heart Ministry Center (Omaha): Supports the Fresh Start Program, which trains adults with criminal backgrounds or addiction histories, providing comprehensive support and guaranteed job placement.
• $15,000 for Heartland Workers Center (Omaha): Supports multilingual financial literacy and digital skills training to families across Nebraska communities, helping participants confidently navigate banking systems.
• $20,000 for Holy Name Housing Corporation (Omaha): Supports the Crown Program, which provides affordable housing for low-income families while building homeownership pathways through rent-to-savings incentives and financial education that promotes long-term economic stability
• $25,000 for I Be Black Girl (Omaha): Supports the Economic Opportunity Catalyst Program, which provides business coaching and capital access pathways for underserved entrepreneurs.
• $15,000 for Ignite Nebraska (Omaha): Supports programming for IT apprenticeships and training sessions that provide comprehensive support and connect participants to resources that ensure successful career transitions.
• $20,000 for inCOMMON Community Development (Omaha): Supports Neighborhood Resource Centers, which provide economic self-sufficiency programming including language classes, employment preparation, financial literacy workshops and one-on-one coaching for under-resourced communities.
• $15,000 for Kearney Area Habitat for Humanity (Kearney): Supports the annual home-building initiative that creates pathways to home ownership for individuals and families.
• $10,000 for Kearney Community Sustainable Housing (Kearney): Supports the construction of accessible first-floor housing units designed specifically for low-income individuals with mobility challenges.
• $20,000 for Latino Center of the Midlands (Omaha): Supports the Adult Education Program, which teaches basic literacy and language skills to low-income individuals.
• $15,000 for Learning for ALL (Omaha): Supports the Learning for ALL program, which provides free English as a second language (ESL), adult basic education (ABE) and GED prep classes to adult learners.
• $20,000 for Legal Aid of Nebraska (Omaha): Supports the Housing Justice Project, which prevents evictions and ensures safe housing for low-income residents through free legal services.
• $15,000 for Lifehouse (Fremont): Supports the Workforce Development Program, which provides hands-on training in food pantry, thrift store and shelter environments, equipping clients with practical retail, customer service and administrative skills.
• $20,000 for Lutheran Family Services (Omaha): Supports English-language programs, which include hybrid classes, transportation assistance and a new computer lab teaching essential digital skills to improve client self-sufficiency.
• $25,000 for Metropolitan Community College Foundation (Omaha): Supports the Adult Education Program, which helps students progress from English as a second language (ESL) to GED classes through comprehensive academic support, career coaching and computer skills training.
• $15,000 for MICAH House Corporation (Council Bluffs): Supports emergency shelter and intensive case management for homeless women and families in Council Bluffs, offering health services, childcare and community resources until clients secure stable housing.
• $20,000 for Midwest Housing Development Fund (Omaha): Supports low-income housing tax credit applications through technical assistance, funding coordination and local partnership development, in turn creating affordable rental housing.
• $25,000 for Nebraska Enterprise Fund (Omaha): Supports business training, coaching and accessible revolving loans for underserved entrepreneurs in North and South Omaha and southwest Iowa, using cash-flow lending principles to overcome traditional financing barriers.
• $25,000 for Nebraska Housing Developers Association (Lincoln): Supports home heating and cooling upgrades for low-income homeowners, statewide homebuyer education, down payment assistance and online renter education to improve housing affordability and stability.
• $25,000 for NeighborWorks Lincoln (Lincoln): Supports the Real Estate Development Program, which builds affordable housing for low-income families through construction, rehabilitation and comprehensive homebuyer preparation services.
• $20,000 for NeighborWorks Northeastern Nebraska (Columbus and Norfolk): Supports the Purchase/Rehab/Resell Program, a comprehensive initiative that transforms properties through acquisition, rehabilitation and resale.
• $25,000 for No More Empty Pots (Omaha): Supports the Culinary Certificate Program, which provides paid training for underemployed workers offering comprehensive food service education, workforce development and industry certifications.
• $15,000 for North Platte Habitat for Humanity (North Platte): Supports the annual home-building initiative that creates pathways to homeownership for individuals and families.
• $25,000 for Omaha Municipal Land Bank (Omaha): Supports the Acquisitions, Maintenance and Disposition Program, which transforms vacant properties into community assets through strategic acquisition and sale to responsible owners, prioritizing affordable housing development.
• $20,000 for OneWorld Community Health (Omaha): Supports the Workforce Development Program, which provides English as a second language classes, GED preparation, digital training and career coaching, with wraparound services including childcare to eliminate participation barriers.
• $40,000 for Project Houseworks (Omaha): Supports aging in place services, which provide free home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income seniors in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area, addressing safety hazards that enable independent living.
• $15,000 for Refugee Women Rising (Omaha): Supports the Driver Education Program, which provides culturally-appropriate training for immigrant women, offering multilingual instruction, hands-on lessons, safety workshops and maintenance classes to increase mobility and independence.
• $15,000 for Restoring Dignity (Omaha): Supports the Home Owners Maintenance Education Program, which provides refugee homeowners with in-home education in their native languages, teaching practical skills and providing essential tool kits upon completion.
• $30,000 for RISE Academy (Omaha): Supports the Workforce Development Program, which provides pre-release training and post-release employment services for formerly incarcerated individuals, including job placement assistance, career support and entrepreneurship training.
• $20,000 for Rural Investment Corporation (Kearney): Supports a comprehensive microenterprise development program that provides quality technical assistance, training and microloans to small business owners in Buffalo County.
• $30,000 for Scottsbluff/Gering Habitat for Humanity (Alliance, Chadron and Scottsbluff): Supports the annual home-building initiative that creates pathways to home ownership for individuals and families.
• $30,000 for Seventy Five North Revitalization Corporation (Omaha): Supports mixed-density housing in North Omaha, combining affordable single-family homes, duplexes and townhomes with an on-site daycare facility.
• $25,000 for Spark Capital (Omaha): Supports the Developer Academy, which provides comprehensive real estate development training including project planning skills, financial guidance and networking opportunities to address historical disparities in the field.
• $20,000 for Together (Omaha): Supports the Housing Stability Clinic, which provides centralized housing crisis services that prevent eviction and homelessness through coordinated resources and case management.
• $15,000 for Volunteers Assisting Seniors (Omaha): Supports the Homestead Exemption Assistance Program, which helps low- to middle-income homeowners access property tax relief through educational presentations, application assistance and volunteer support across multiple Nebraska counties.
• $25,000 for Women's Center for Advancement (Omaha): Supports the Self-Sufficiency Program, which helps domestic violence survivors achieve independence through trauma-informed case management, financial literacy training and workforce development.
• $20,000 for YMCA of Greater Omaha (Omaha): Supports Early Learning Centers, which provide affordable, high-quality childcare at four metro locations, offering sliding-scale assistance to families while enabling parents to work and preparing children for educational success.

Colorado

FNBO awarded $305,000 in Impact Grants to 19 organizations across northern Colorado:

• $10,000 for A Precious Child (Boulder): Supports the Pathways Workforce Readiness Program, which provides customized training and employment skills to low-income young adults.
• $20,000 for Bridge House (Boulder): Supports the Ready to Work's Chronic Homelessness Intervention Program, which provides comprehensive supportive services to help individuals gain work skills, achieve sobriety, secure permanent housing and successfully reintegrate into the community.
• $15,000 for Colorado Enterprise Fund (Boulder County): Supports technical assistance to Colorado small businesses that do not qualify for traditional financing.
• $15,000 for Developmental Disabilities Center (Boulder): Supports the Employment Services Program, which empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries and autism to find meaningful employment.
• $25,000 for Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity (Fort Collins): Supports the annual home-building initiative that creates pathways to home ownership for individuals and families.
• $20,000 for Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity (Greeley): Supports the annual home-building initiative that creates pathways to home ownership for individuals and families.
• $15,000 for Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley (Longmont): Supports the annual home-building initiative that creates pathways to home ownership for individuals and families.
• $10,000 for Homeward Alliance (Fort Collins): Supports EARN, which provides comprehensive employment services to unhoused adults through career coaching, financial assistance for certifications, professional attire, employer partnerships and navigation of homelessness-related challenges.
• $10,000 for Housing Catalyst (Fort Collins): Supports the Resident Services Community Support and Engagement Program, which provides financial literacy workshops and removes barriers to access for low-income residents.
• $15,000 for Intercambio (Boulder): Supports English-language education that strengthens both language skills and community connections.
• $15,000 for Mi Casa Resource Center (Boulder): Supports the Business Pathways Program, which provides bilingual entrepreneurship training, consulting and resources to help small businesses thrive.
• $15,000 for Neighbor to Neighbor Inc. (Fort Collins): Supports the Financial Education Program, which provides accessible, comprehensive housing support services, financial education, emergency assistance and community resource referrals to help individuals achieve long-term stability.
• $25,000 for Project Self-Sufficiency of Loveland-Fort Collins (Fort Collins and Loveland): Supports the Career Pathways Program, which provides case management, education support, career counseling and comprehensive wrap-around services to help low-income single parents overcome barriers to self-sufficiency.
• $10,000 for The Boys and Girls Club of Weld County (Greeley): Supports financial and workforce development programming that provides youth with essential leadership skills, career exploration opportunities and financial literacy education.
• $10,000 for The Greeley Dream Team (Greeley): Supports the Alumni Program, which provides workforce development to low-income students through individualized advising, essential life skills development and employment preparation.
• $15,000 for The Inn Between of Longmont, Inc. (Longmont): Supports the Affordable Supportive Housing Program, which provides housing and essential supportive services including advocacy, life skills training, education and career support and resource navigation.
• $20,000 for The Matthews House (Fort Collins): Supports the Family to Family Program which provides comprehensive case management services to promote self sufficiency.
• $20,000 for Thrive - Transformation at Work (Boulder County): Supports the Employment Program, which provides training and coaching to low-income adults, helping them explore careers, set goals, master interview techniques, obtain employment and achieve greater self-sufficiency.
• $20,000 for University of Northern Colorado Foundation (Greeley): Supports the Small Business Development Center to provide free confidential consulting, affordable training and resource connections alongside programming in cybersecurity, technology commercialization, childcare and exit planning to help businesses stay competitive in evolving markets.

Illinois

FNBO awarded $130,000 in Impact Grants to nine organizations in Illinois:

• $15,000 for Family Service Agency of DeKalb County, Inc. (DeKalb, Lake in the Hills and Rockford): Supports the Community Action Program, which provides comprehensive case management and skill-building services to low-income individuals and families in DeKalb County.
• $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County (DeKalb, Lake in the Hills and Rockford): Supports the Home Preservation Program, which helps low-income homeowners address critical health, safety and code violations through volunteer-led repairs and professional subcontractor work.
• $20,000 for Home of the Sparrow (DeKalb, Lake in the Hills and Rockford): Supports the Hope on the Street's Supportive Employment Program, which provides personalized workforce readiness services to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
• $10,000 for Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley (Geneva, Kane and Yorkville): Supports personalized adult literacy programming that matches trained volunteer tutors with adult learners, providing customized one-to-one instruction tailored to each student's specific goals and needs with ongoing professional staff guidance.
• $15,000 for Northwestern Memorial Foundation (DeKalb, Lake in the Hills and Rockford): Supports the Individual Placement and Support Program, which provides comprehensive employment services including job coaching, resume development and on-the-job support to individuals with mental health diagnoses.
• $10,000 for Rebuilding Together Aurora (Geneva, Kane and Yorkville): Supports the Critical Home Repairs and Accessibility Modifications Program, which addresses essential housing needs such as plumbing, electricity, weatherization and accessibility for qualified low- to moderate-income homeowners.
• $20,000 for Regional Access Mobilization Project Inc. (RAMP) (DeKalb, Lake in the Hills and Rockford): Supports the Employment Services Program, which provides individualized assistance to people with disabilities in DeKalb and Boone Counties through comprehensive services spanning career exploration and job preparation, placement, coaching and benefits counseling to achieve competitive, integrated employment.
• $20,000 for The Neighbor Project (Geneva, Kane and Yorkville): Supports the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center, which offers free, personalized financial counseling to help low- and moderate-income individuals and families improve their financial well-being.
• $10,000 for Transitional Living Services (DeKalb, Lake in the Hills and Rockford): Supports the New Horizons Transitional Living Program, which has provided housing and supportive services to up to 20 low-income homeless veterans since 2001, offering a stable environment to rebuild lives and achieve financial independence.

Kansas

FNBO awarded $75,000 in Impact Grants to three organizations in Kansas:

• $20,000 for CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties: Supports teen advocacy services that provide foster youth with support as they transition to independence, connecting them with essential resources, financial education and mentorship.
• $30,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City: Supports the Heritage Park Project, which provides equitable, affordable housing for low-income families through the construction of 14 energy-efficient homes in Johnson County.
• $25,000 for Inclusion Connections: Supports the PawsAbilities Employment Program to provide jobs, skills training, job readiness, fitness classes and independent living preparation for individuals with developmental disabilities.

South Dakota

FNBO awarded $20,000 in Impact Grants to two organizations in South Dakota:

• $10,000 for Abbott House (Mitchell): Supports the Therapeutic Foster Care Program, which provides comprehensive resources to foster families — including housing, transportation, budgets and trauma-informed care training — to create stable, supportive environments.
• $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Clay and Yankton Counties (Yankton): Supports the CTE school partnership, which enables Yankton Career and Technical Education students to gain hands-on construction experience while building affordable housing that contributes to neighborhood revitalization and expands homeownership opportunities within the community.

Texas

FNBO awarded $25,000 in Impact Grants to two organizations in Texas:

• $15,000 for Agape Resources and Assistance Center (Plano): Supports financial education and workforce development programming including vocational training, financial coaching, childcare, counseling, transportation assistance and intensive case management.
• $10,000 for Hearts for Homes (Denton): Supports the Home Repair Program, which provides no-cost, comprehensive home repairs to economically disadvantaged seniors in Denton County.

Wyoming

FNBO awarded $35,000 in Impact Grants to two organizations in Wyoming:

• $25,000 for Climb (Cheyenne): Supports financial wellbeing programming for low-income single mothers, including stabilization services, job training, life skills development, mental health counseling, and ongoing support to help them achieve financial stability for their children and launch careers in sectors critical to Wyoming's economy.
• $10,000 for My Front Door (Cheyenne): Supports financial literacy programming to help low-income Wyoming families transform their finances through budgeting education, credit repair, homebuyer preparation and five years of post-purchase support to ensure sustainable homeownership.

For more information about FNBO's impact initiatives, visit fnbo.com/impact.

About FNBO
FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha), a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska, Inc. (FNNI), is one of the largest privately held banks in the US and has been in business for more than 165 years. FNNI and its affiliates have over $32 billion in assets and 4,500 employees. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming, providing personal and business banking, mortgage, payment solutions, wealth management and more. Founded in 1857, FNBO has maintained its commitment to customers and helping build strong communities. Learn more at FNBO.com and connect on Facebook, X and Instagram. Member FDIC.

For information contact:
Sally Christensen
402-871-1933
schristensen@fnbo.com