SIDNEY -- Sidney has joined a growing grassroots network of more than 250 ambitious communities in Nebraska using philanthropy to create a brighter future.

A group of local volunteers have launched the Sidney And Greater Area Fund (SAGA) as an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF). Now part of a statewide movement to spearhead community development and create future prosperity, SAGA will be working to build a robust, permanent unrestricted endowment to benefit Sidney and the surrounding area.

“The SAGA fund advisory committee is excited to have the opportunity to create a community based affiliated fund with NCF and help grant funds to projects that will make a difference in Sidney and surrounding areas. The fund will help further economic development efforts and job creation, getting young people to stay in and come back to the area and so many other things that will make dreams become a reality,” said Melissa Norgard, elected chair of the Sidney And Greater Area Fund Advisory Committee (FAC). “This fund enables anyone to make a tax-deductible contribution that will perpetuate our way of life in Sidney.”

For over 25 years, Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) has been networking communities statewide in providing proven goals for community development through local charitable gift-giving. NCF is a Nebraska based 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that is an accredited member of the Council on Foundations, meeting the most rigorous standards of philanthropy.

The local fund advisory committee consists of Chair - Melissa Norgard; Vice Chair – Megan Price; Secretary – Madi Wilkinson; Treasurer – Clint Norman; and FAC members include David Scott, Brandon Bondegard, Jeff Klare, Keith Nienhueser, Elizabeth Borgman, Roger Gallaway and Ally Benzel.

“Hard work and dedication from dedicated members in the area has helped to get this community affiliated fund started and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as the Chairperson on the Fund Advisory Committee. I have been fortunate enough to work with the Nebraska Community Foundation for several years and look forward to working on this committee to assist people and groups making a positive impact in Sidney and the surrounding communities. I love being able to give back and help this great place I call home achieve its hopes and dreams,” said Norgard.

The Sidney Community Donor Advised Fund is providing the initial funding to kick start SAGA. These funds will work together on supporting community projects and programs, both are affiliated funds with the Nebraska Community Foundation.

The fund advisory committee will be reviewing the information gathered at the Visioning session held last August to determine local projects and programs to consider making grants to. Anyone with additional ideas is encouraged to talk to a local FAC member.

To learn more about the Sidney And Greater Area Fund, the NCF network and to support the work of the local fund advisory committee, visit: https://www.nebcommfound.org/give/sidney-and-greater-nebraska-fund/

About Nebraska Community Foundation:  Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.

In the last five years, 41,776 contributions have been made to NCF and its affiliated funds. Since 1994, NCF has reinvested $323 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org.