Meet Scott Schrage, grant manager

Scott Schrage, a Lincolnite with deep experience in advocacy and communications, is Civic Nebraska’s new grant manager. His first day was March 25.

As a member of our development team, Scott coordinates all grant activities, researches and evaluates potential funding sources, and ensures follow-through on Civic Nebraska’s funded projects. Scott works also across the organization to ensure alignment on grants-related matters.

“As someone who has attended Civic Saturdays and supported the organization, I have long admired Civic Nebraska, the ideals of modern and equitable democracy it upholds, its commitment to engaging Nebraskans of all stripes, and the ways it goes about doing it all,” he said. “I’m thrilled to take on the responsibility of helping like-minded organizations realize all they can do statewide by supporting our diverse initiatives.”

Scott comes to Civic Nebraska after more than 13 years at the University of Nebraska. There, he wrote and promoted research and scholarly activity happening on campus, first focusing on the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools; and for the past decade, as the institution’s chief science writer. During his time at Nebraska U., Scott excelled at making intricate, abstract scientific concepts – and their impact and relevance – understandable for non-academic audiences.

A native of Sloan, Iowa, Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising and then a master of science in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. While in Ames, Scott helped raise more than $3.3 million for scholarships and other student initiatives as a program associate for the ISU Foundation.

“That opened my eyes to how philanthropy, when done well, can activate our natural capacity for empathy and generosity,” Scott said.

Scott stays active in his spare time and enjoys a range of sports and movies. Or, as he puts it, “dragging friends to the Ross to see the latest independent and international films, and spending an unhealthy amount of time following the National Basketball Association.”

We’re grateful Scott has joined the Civic Nebraska team. Please join us in welcoming him – he’s at scott.schrage@civicnebraska.org.