Every community has stories worth preserving. A one-room schoolhouse that shaped generations. A small-town museum run by volunteers. A collection of photographs tucked away in a local archive.
Individually, these stories may seem small. Together, they form the fabric of Nebraska.
That’s the power of collective giving.
One Foundation. Hundreds of Stories.
The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation exists for a simple but powerful purpose: to ensure Nebraska’s history is not only preserved but shared, explored, and accessible for generations to come.
Since 1942, the Foundation has raised and managed funds to support historical preservation, education, and storytelling across the state.
But what makes its impact unique isn’t just what it supports, it’s how.
Rather than focusing on a single site or project, the Foundation invests in a network of organizations across Nebraska: museums, libraries, historical societies, and cultural groups. Each one holds a piece of the larger story.
Reaching Beyond the Major Markets
History doesn’t live only in big cities. It lives in county museums, rural libraries, and volunteer-led historical societies, many of which operate with limited resources.
In fact, the majority of Nebraska’s local history organizations rely heavily on volunteers, yet still provide educational programming, maintain historic buildings, and serve as cultural anchors in their communities.
Collective giving ensures these organizations aren’t left behind. It creates access to funding, to expertise, and to the ability to share their stories with broader audiences.
Preserving More Than the Past
Supporting history isn’t just about looking backward. It’s about:
- Education – Helping students connect with where they come from
- Economic impact – Driving tourism and community vitality
- Identity – Strengthening what makes each Nebraska community unique
The Foundation helps transform local history into living experiences and invites people to explore, engage, and connect.
The Multiplier Effect of Giving
When one person gives, they support a project. When many people give through a shared mission, they create momentum across an entire state.
That momentum comes to life through two of the Foundation’s most impactful initiatives: RoamNebraska and WanderNebraska.
RoamNebraska is how collective giving turns into direct, local action.
Through the RoamNebraska Grants Program, funding is distributed to organizations across Nebraska, many in rural or underserved communities, helping bring ideas to life that might otherwise remain out of reach.
The program is designed with two clear purposes:
- Discovery Grants (Fall Cycle): Expanding access and engagement.
Supporting field trips, transportation, youth and family programming, community celebrations, and professional development opportunities - Impact Grants (Spring Cycle): Strengthening long-term capacity.
Funding exhibits, speaker series, collections care, and core programming that sustain organizations over time
These grants may be modest in size, but their impact is significant.
RoamNebraska reflects the true spirit of collective giving: expanding minds, empowering communities, planting ideas, and growing opportunities across all 93 counties.
If RoamNebraska fuels the work, WanderNebraska brings it to life.
WanderNebraska is a statewide exploration program that invites Nebraskans and visitors alike to discover the people, places, and stories that define the state.
Each year, hundreds of sites, from major institutions to hidden gems, participate in the program. Travelers can:
- Visit locations across the state
- Track their progress through a mobile app or guide
- Earn prizes while exploring Nebraska’s history and culture
But WanderNebraska is more than a travel program. It’s an economic driver.
It’s a visibility engine for small communities. It’s a way to turn local history into shared experience. By encouraging travel beyond traditional destinations, WanderNebraska helps:
- Increase visitation to rural communities
- Support local businesses and tourism
- Build awareness for organizations that might otherwise go unnoticed
Together, RoamNebraska and WanderNebraska create a powerful cycle:
- Donors give collectively
- Funds are distributed statewide through RoamNebraska
- Organizations grow, improve, and expand their offerings
- WanderNebraska brings visitors through their doors
The result is a connected, sustainable ecosystem, one where history is not only preserved, but actively experienced.
Why Collective Giving Matters Now
At a time when funding is limited and attention is fragmented; individual organizations often struggle to compete for resources. But collective giving changes the equation.
It allows donors to:
- Support statewide impact, not just a single project
- Trust that funds are distributed strategically
- Be part of something bigger than themselves
It turns generosity into infrastructure, supporting not just one story, but an entire ecosystem of storytelling.
Your Role in the Story
Every contribution, large or small, becomes part of a much larger narrative.
- A preserved artifact.
- A restored building.
- A student’s first connection to history.
These outcomes don’t happen in isolation. They happen because people choose to give together. That’s the power of collective giving.
And in Nebraska, it’s how hundreds of stories continue to be told.
