Dear Friends,

When we remember 2019, we will remember it as a year of growth and upward momentum for our nonpartisan, democracy-building organization. We will remember 2019 as the year that Civic Nebraska added vital programs, increased our reach and impact across the state, and brought new talent into our ranks. And, most of all, we will remember it as a year when we leveraged all of that into new civic power in Nebraska schools, neighborhoods, and communities; places it may not have existed before.

That’s because at Civic Nebraska, we believe all means all. We build and sustain democratic opportunity, activity, and principles among all Nebraskans – including among populations that have traditionally been under-represented. This philosophy runs through everything we do, from building young civic leaders in our schools, to enhancing civic life in towns and cities across the state, to protecting every eligible Nebraskan’s right to vote. As we rise, so do those who we serve and the ideals for which we fight. Our trajectory allows us to push more power out the door and into the hands of Nebraskans, where it belongs. 

In 2019:

-> We increased our investment in Greater Nebraska, resulting in the creation of new chapters of active and dedicated voting rights advocates across the state. Meanwhile, statewide expansion of our civic health initiatives – including the addition of a rural civic health program manager – has given civic leaders, elected officials, and organizations around Nebraska new tools to help keep their communities vibrant.

-> Our Youth Civic Leadership programs served more students than ever, powered by new Community Learning Centers in Lincoln and new and expanded outside-of-school programs in Omaha and rural areas of the state. Civic Nebraska now engages more than 1,500 youth a day to build civic leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

-> Collective Impact Lincoln, a Civic Nebraska-led initiative to organize Star City neighborhoods and create resident-led democratic change, was a driver of a new humane housing ordinance adopted by the Lincoln City Council. The ordinance gives renters, especially those in the city’s older neighborhoods, new protections for adequate and affordable housing.

-> For the first time, we deployed volunteer election protectors to observe a municipal election when Lincolnites went to the polls for citywide elections. The number of Nebraskans who enlisted to volunteer as voting rights advocates soared to all-time highs this year. In 2020, we will tap into their energy and expertise to engage lawmakers and to ensure Nebraska’s spring primary and fall general elections are open, fair, and accessible.