LINCOLN, Nebraska — Women Investing in Nebraska (WIN) announced grants totaling $244,752 to two Nebraska initiatives during its annual awards ceremony Oct. 7 in Omaha. Grants were awarded to develop new training for the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing and expand the Foster Care Closet of Nebraska’s Mobile Closet program.
Each organization will receive a $122,376 grant from WIN, whose membership is comprised of women in and outside of Nebraska who, through their collective giving, address issues of importance to Nebraskans. WIN members contributed personally to make the grants possible.
“I greatly appreciate the commitment of the more than 300 WIN members from Nebraska and beyond who make these grants possible,” said WIN Chair Meg Lauerman. “Over the past 13 years, we have awarded grants to 26 Nebraska projects. That’s a bold statement about the power of collective philanthropy and the impact of our grant-making.”
WIN Grants Chair Jaci Lindburg, Ph.D., said that this grant cycle, the organization received 117 grant applications, the highest number in its 13-year history. “We are thrilled to see such incredible projects from across the state of Nebraska seeking support for their efforts,” she said. “The UNMC College of Nursing and the Foster Care Closet are moving the needle on important issues in Nebraska. WIN is honored to provide support that will help take these projects to the next level.”
UNMC College of Nursing
Currently, Nebraska has no fellowships or academic programs offering emergency training for nurse practitioners. According to a survey by the UNMC College of Nursing, 22 of 23 responding health care facilities across the state have experienced provider shortages in their emergency room settings and utilized nurse practitioners to fill the gap. Although nurse practitioners have filled this need, formal emergency nurse practitioner training will equip them to contribute at a much higher level. The WIN grant will support the development of the new training initiative and provide simulation equipment and learning resources.
“I am deeply honored to receive this grant from Women Investing in Nebraska, which will play a pivotal role in addressing a critical need for the state,” said Haley Hays, clinical assistant professor in the UNMC College of Nursing – West Nebraska Division in Scottsbluff. “This support is not just an investment in our academic institution, but also the future of Nebraska health care. It enables us to equip the next generation of emergency nurse practitioners with the specialized skills they need to provide high-quality care in critical situations.”
Foster Care Closet of Nebraska, Mobile Closet program
With funding from the WIN grant, the Foster Care Closet of Nebraska will purchase a vehicle and expand its Mobile Closet services around the state. For the estimated 4,000 Nebraska youths in foster care, the need for new clothing is urgent and ongoing. The Mobile Closet program was created to help reach the nearly 3,400 foster care youth across the state who may not be able to conveniently travel to the organization’s physical location in Lincoln. Children often enter foster care with only the clothes they’re wearing. Clothing from the Foster Care Closet can give youth comfort and confidence as they face the many challenges of life in foster care.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude to Women Investing in Nebraska for its decision to help us restore dignity to youth in crisis through new clothing,” said Tim Balzer, executive director of the Foster Care Closet of Nebraska. “Because of WIN, we will now be able to serve an additional 400 or more youth with new clothing across Nebraska in 2025. Additionally, with the WIN grant funds, we will be able to upgrade our Mobile Closet equipment. With the new equipment, we will be able to restore dignity to more youth in communities in need of our services.”
Since WIN was formed in 2011, the organization has grown from 20 members to 302 members and has awarded more than $2 million in grants to 26 organizations.
About Women Investing in Nebraska
WIN operates in partnership with the University of Nebraska Foundation and the UNF Charitable Gift Fund to support women philanthropists. The UNF Charitable Gift Fund is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the University of Nebraska Foundation. It provides options for donors to support the University of Nebraska as well as other worthwhile charitable causes addressing important issues in Nebraska. For information on becoming a WIN member, contact WIN Director Morgan Holen at 402-458-1254 or 800-432-3216, or visit womeninvestinginnebraska.org.
Captions:
UNMC photo: The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing was awarded a grant from Women Investing in Nebraska (WIN). Pictured, from left, are WIN Education Chair Sarah Button, WIN Chair Meg Lauerman, Haley Hays (representing the UNMC College of Nursing), WIN Membership Chair Jill Davis and WIN Grants Chair Jaci Lindburg.
Foster Care Closet photo: The Foster Care Closet of Nebraska was awarded a grant from Women Investing in Nebraska (WIN). Pictured, from left, are WIN Education Chair Sarah Button, WIN Chair Meg Lauerman, Ashley Curtis and Leigh Esau (representing the Foster Care Closet of Nebraska), WIN Membership Chair Jill Davis and WIN Grants Chair Jaci Lindburg.