CREATING PATHWAYS AND PARTNERSHIPS

As we reflect on another transformative year at the Fremont Area Community Foundation, we are reminded of the profound impact that collaboration and innovation have on our community. This year’s theme, Creating Pathways and Partnerships, encapsulates the heart of our mission: connecting people, ideas, and resources to build a brighter, more equitable future for all.

Pathways represent the opportunities we strive to create—opportunities for individuals to thrive, for organizations to grow, and for our region to flourish. Whether it’s supporting local nonprofits, enhancing education, or advancing access to essential services, we’re focused on building bridges that lead to lasting change.

Partnerships are the lifeblood of this work. We know that real progress happens when we come together—philanthropists, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders—united by a shared vision. This year, we’ve forged new alliances, strengthened existing ones, and demonstrated what’s possible when we embrace collective action.

In this annual report, you’ll see stories of resilience, innovation, and hope. You’ll learn how your support helps to empower change-makers, inspire solutions, and cultivate a sense of belonging for everyone in the Fremont area.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. Together, we are creating a legacy of opportunity and a foundation for generations to come.

Melissa Diers Executive Director

Jennifer Bixby Board President

^$36.4Million

Total Assets
732Grants

Totaling $3,852,504
8 New Funds

229 FundsTotal
136Scholarships

$147,852Awarded

More New Funds

Herb Herre First Responders Fund
GirlPowerr
Emily Brown Memorial Scholarship
Jacob D. Monke Cemetery Endowment Fund
Keith & Linda Chapman Fund
Sid and Patty Dillon Charitable Fund
Martha Wicklund Velasco Memorial Scholarship
Darlene G. Saeger Charitable Fund
Verdell Gnuse Memorial Scholarship Fund
Altrusa of Fremont Scholarship Fund
Maddie Everitt Memorial Scholarship

NEW FUND

Sam Christensen Memorial Scholarship

Sam Christensen, born on May 25, 1999 in Omaha, passed away in a tragic tractor accident on June 1, 2022, near Dodge, Nebraska.

Sam’s life and his life together with Taylor Christensen was cut short, the two having been married only nine months before the accident. Sam loved spending time with his new wife and their rescued Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix, Newbie. Sam and Taylor loved having regular date nights, country music concerts, and the roar of live tractor pulls.

After graduating from Omaha Benson High School, Sam attended Southeast Community College at Milford and studied Ag Diesel Mechanics. He went on to work for the John Deere dealership in Missouri Valley, Iowa and in March of 2021 began working for Platte Valley Equipment in Fremont.

Sam was a city kid, yet very much a farm kid at heart. He had dreams of becoming a farmer one day. Sam grew up helping his uncle and cousin farm and loved working with his hands. He was always on the lookout for his next restoration project after he rebuilt his dad’s red ’56 Ford pickup. On the day Sam passed, he had called his uncle earlier to share the exciting news of just buying his “dream tractor” — a 4020.

The Sam Christensen Memorial Scholarship will provide financial assistance to others pursuing a career in the technical trades at Platte Valley Equipment.

OUR GRANTEES

Grant is Tackling Housing Challenges

Through $503,000 of generous contributions from area businesses and non-profits—including a $100,000 grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation—and a $1 Million award from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Rural Workforce Housing Program, the Fremont Home Fund is making an impact on housing in Fremont. Facilitated by the Greater Fremont Development Council, the Home Fund is a revolving, low-interest loan fund designed to promote the creation of more housing inventory in the community.

It focuses on rehabilitation of dilapidated housing units, reactivation of upper-story downtown Fremont units into lofts and apartments, and includes strategic partnerships with nonprofits like Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together-Platte Valley East.
Through partnerships, we’re continuing to move the needle on housing challenges in Fremont.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Learn more about this program

OUR GRANTEES

Funds Improve Food Pantry and Shelter

Care Corps’ LifeHouse has recently completed transformative upgrades to its facilities, thanks to generous support from the Fremont Area Community Foundation. Two grants funded vital improvements: one for the organization’s food pantry and another for its homeless shelter.

The food pantry remodel has enhanced both functionality and client experience. Key features include private intake areas, a grocery store model that allows clients to make their own food selections, a teaching kitchen for culinary education, a convenient drive-through, and expanded storage to accommodate an increasingly diverse food inventory. These updates reflect a commitment to meeting the growing and varied needs of the community with dignity and efficiency.

Meanwhile, the homeless shelter underwent a significant “facelift,” adding two additional beds for homeless males, a renovated men’s restroom with expanded shower and toilet facilities, five new offices, and an education room to better support residents. The shelter now serves a wide audience, including individuals at risk of homelessness, those currently without stable housing, and those working toward independence after experiencing homelessness.

An unexpected and inspiring outcome of these projects came when Care Corps’ LifeHouse hosted the Nebraska Commissioners on Housing and Homelessness. Following their meeting and a tour of the updated facilities, one commissioner remarked that after visiting similar programs statewide, she believes LifeHouse exemplifies what all facilities in Nebraska should strive for. She expressed her intention to use Care Corps’ model as a framework for training others who serve the homeless and near-homeless across the state.

These upgrades, made possible by the Fremont Area Community Foundation, have not only improved services locally but also positioned Care Corps’ LifeHouse as a beacon of excellence and innovation in addressing homelessness and food insecurity.

Grant Helps Restore Opera House

The Fremont Opera House, originally the Love Opera House, opened on December 14, 1888, and enjoyed nearly 28 years of successful live theater in Fremont. This five-story building, with a seating capacity of 1,100 and an ornate theater space featuring a domed ceiling, was among the state’s finest. In 1975, it became Fremont’s first building listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, recognized for its architecture and size. Of Nebraska’s 500+ opera houses, only a few remain.

A recent grant of $30,000 is helping repair and restore the stained glass in the entryway of this local landmark, as well as the old and damaged flooring throughout the facility, to ensure the Opera House remains a cultural centerpiece of Fremont.

Funds Help Gymnasts Take Flight

Fremont has been home to a competitive gymnastics program for over 40 years. However, in June 2023, the program faced an unexpected challenge when the Fremont Family YMCA announced it could no longer host it. Refusing to let the tradition of competitive gymnastics fade, a group of dedicated parents took action. They formed a nonprofit organization to ensure the program’s future in the community. Initially operating under the Fremont Area Community Foundation’s umbrella, the club achieved a major milestone by securing its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit status within a year, solidifying its independence and commitment to fostering gymnastics in Fremont.

With the program now located within the Simply Strong fitness center, a $30,000 grant from FACF provided funds for new flooring and a vault runway for the Rise Above gymnastics program. The support from the community foundation reflects a shared belief in the program’s positive impact on local youth.

“Melissa and her team have been a great advocate and leader to help guide our organization from the start,” said Brandi Peatrowsky, president of Rise Above Gymnastics. This grant is helping “to fulfill the dreams of these girls and provide a safe environment that remains within the Fremont community.”

OUR PROGRAMS

Youth Philanthropy Grant awarded to tornado safety program

After surviving a May 2023 EF2 tornado that destroyed her North Bend home, Alexa Brodd created a tornado safety program to educate others. With support from a Fremont Area Community Foundation Youth Philanthropy Grant, she presented a tornado preparedness seminar in June 2023.

Brodd taught key safety practices, including monitoring weather alerts, the importance of cell phone notifications, and how to create a tornado preparedness kit. She emphasized safety actions like seeking shelter in a basement, avoiding vehicles during tornadoes, and the dangers of flying debris. Brodd also addressed post-storm safety to prevent injuries.

Fremont Area Big Give raises nearly $433,000

We spearheaded the eighth Fremont Area Big Give, which raised over $500,000 for a record 84 area nonprofits in just 24 hours. Since inception, the Big Give has raised approximately $3 Million for charitable work throughout Greater Dodge County.

LEGACY SOCIETY

Sustaining Growth through our Legacy Society

FACF created a Legacy Society to recognize and thank individuals and families who plan to leave a gift to their community through a bequest, trust, life insurance policy, retirement plan, or charitable annuity.

Members of our Legacy Society care about the future of the Fremont area and realize that their gifts will strengthen the projects and programs of local nonprofit organizations and the people they serve. We thank the following members for their foresight and generosity…

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE COMPLETE LIST

Verdell Gnuse Charitable Endowment Fund

This year, we saw the impact of a planned gift in action through the legacy of Verdell Gnuse, an Arlington resident. Born in Winslow, Verdell passed away at the age of 88 after living in the Arlington area for most of his life, farming and building Gnuse Manufacturing, creator of the famous “Gnuse Scoop” and a range of high-quality ag equipment.

Verdell’s final gift was to his community of Arlington. Each year, the Verdell Gnuse Charitable Endowment Fund is providing grants to the Village of Arlington for community needs such as street maintenance and improvement, and to Arlington Public School for scholarships for graduating seniors of Arlington High School. This past spring, 8 seniors each received a $1,400 Gnuse Scholarship!

Verdell’s legacy will live on to impact generations of Arlington residents, and we are honored to help individuals like Verdell leave a personal legacy that benefits the community.

What will your legacy be?
Click here for inspiration.

2024 AWARD WINNERS

Mary & Greg Haskins

BETSY MULLIKEN AWARD FOR PHILANTHROPY

Dr. Greg and Mary Haskins, a husband-and-wife team, have deeply impacted Fremont, Nebraska, through their careers in healthcare and social work. Dr. Haskins, an ophthalmologist, founded Fremont Eye Associates and led medical outreach clinics until his 2023 retirement. Mary, a licensed social worker, ran a private counseling practice and volunteered with CASA, TeamMates, and the Fremont Soccer Club. Their legacy of service includes medical mission trips, youth support, and civic involvement, leaving a lasting mark on the community.

Brad Holtorf

2024 PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR OF THE YEAR

Brad is a dedicated attorney and community leader from Fremont. A 1977 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law, he was a partner at Sidner Law Firm since 1981 before retiring in December, 2024. Brad is actively involved in local organizations like Lutheran Family Services, the Fremont Area Community Foundation, and the Rupert Dunklau Foundation. He also serves on the Nebraska Bar Commission. Brad and his wife, Cathy, have been married for 50 years, with three sons and five grandchildren.

Define Your Legacy
How to start your own fund. Donate Now
Discover the ways to give.

Fremont Area Community Foundation

1005 E 23rd St #2 | Fremont, NE 68025 | (402) 721-4252 |

Website design and development by IdeaBank Marketing