Building Forever Through the
Greater Grand Island Community Foundation Endowment Prize

Each year, the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation Endowment Prize helps one local nonprofit take an important step towards long-term sustainability.

Organizations that raise over $10,000 during Go Big GIVE are eligible for a random drawing to win a prize that establishes or grows an endowment fund at the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation.

An endowment is a permanent charitable fund that supports an organization forever. The principal is invested, and a portion of the earnings is distributed annually, creating a reliable source of income that helps nonprofits weather challenges, plan for the future, and continue serving the community for generations to come.

While annual fundraising meets immediate needs, endowments build lasting financial strength. They allow organizations to focus not only on today’s impact but also on their long-term mission and legacy.

Since its inception in 2019, the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation Endowment Prize has helped several organizations strengthen their future:

• 2019: Merrick Medical Center Foundation
• 2020: Edgerton Explorit Center
• 2021: Multicultural Coalition
• 2022: Aurora Adopt a Pet
• 2023: The Youth Philanthropy Board
• 2024: Trinity Lutheran School Foundation
• 2025: Voice for Companion Animals
• 2026: Epic Discovery Center

By encouraging nonprofits to think beyond annual campaigns and invest in permanent resources, the Endowment Prize embodies the spirit of community philanthropy, creating impact that lasts not just for today, but for generations to come.