As a response to the ever-increasing needs for services from its member health agencies, CHAD established an endowment with the goal of providing monetary support for health programs throughout Nebraska, positively and directly impacting patients and their families across the state. In July 2007, following the death of retired longtime CHAD President Curt Gordon, the Foundation was renamed in his honor. The new and/or expanded initiatives funded by the CHAD Curt Gordon Memorial Foundation are not otherwise possible through CHAD’s annual statewide workplace giving campaigns or through current agency resources.

In 2016, the Foundation exceeded the $500,000 threshold required by policies to make distributions. CHAD began distributing grant proceeds in 2017, and, to date, has awarded $172,114 to member agencies. Per the Foundation grant guidelines, CHAD continues to receive compelling outcomes data from member agency recipients, including a significant number of testimonials from their respective constituents.

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Grant History

2024 Grants

  • Autism Action Partnership: $1,800.00 to expand Project Lifesaver training for police departments, along with sensory kits, to two new communities.

  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Nebraska: $5,000.00 to increase distribution of grief kits in schools, funeral homes, and counseling centers for Nebraskans affected by suicide.

  • Heart Heroes, Inc: $1800 to expand support events and outreach for south central Nebraska families affected by congenital heart disease.

  • Nebraska AIDS Project: $5,000.00 to provide holiday food assistance to families affected by HIV in Nebraska communities.

  • Nebraska Chapter of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation: $1,000.00 to hold a Kearney retreat and infusion clinic for adolescents with blood disorders.

  • Nebraska Hospice & Palliative Care: $2,500.00 to provide pediatric hospice training statewide in collaboration with Children's Nebraska.

  • Nebraska Health Care Foundation: $5,000.00 to translate the Basic Nursing Assistant Training Manual into Spanish, expanding access to training materials across the state.

  • Nebraska Kidney Association: $3,250.00 to expand an emergency assistance program for kidney disease patients, which offers financial aid to dialysis patients.

  • United Cerebral Palsy: $3,000.00 to grow the Family Focus program into Grand Island and Kearney, connecting families affected by cerebral palsy through activities.

2023 Grants

  • United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska: $5,215 for increased access to Therapeutic Listening in Kearney, GI, Lincoln

  • Nebraska AIDS Project: $5,000 to update and expand pantry operations/inventory

  • Nebraska Health Care Foundation: $2,600 to simulcast behavioral health training in Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff

  • Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association: $8,375 for hospice nurse certification training for 30 participants

  • Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska: $2,500 for statewide mileage expenses for 5 f/t Resource Facilitators

  • JDRF: $2,800 T1D Connect family movie events in GI, Kearney, and Norfolk

  • Arthritis: $500 to support a juvenile arthritis program – family day for 15 families

2022 Grants

  • Autism Action Partnership: $3,200 for BE SAFE training, bringing first responders and the Autism community together to improve outcomes and reduce risk during emergency situations

  • Nebraska Kidney Association: $5,050 for KEDS (Kidney Early Detection Screening) program

  • Nebraska AIDS Project: $4,000 for a central Nebraska conference connecting healthcare professionals with HIV patients and caregivers to relay research breakthroughs and updated support channels throughout Nebraska

  • Nebraska Health Care Foundation: $5,000 to conduct hybrid Medication Aide training facilitated by the Nebraska Health Care Learning Center, accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education

  • Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association: $6,000 to fund accredited training for hospice aides

  • Team Jack Foundation: $1,250 for campers/families that require reduced or eliminated registration fees for Team Jack Husker Legends Football Camp

  • United Cerebral Palsy: $2,500 to update, manage and expand several Tech Tool libraries across Nebraska

2021 Grants

  • Autism Action Partnership: $3,000 to fund the Circle of Friends program in 10 schools

  • Arthritis Foundation Nebraska: $500 to send kids to JA summer camp

  • Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska: $1,500 to assist with travel expenses for brain injury presentation training

  • Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Nebraska/Iowa Chapter: $500 to help fund scholarships to send kids to Crohn’s summer camp

  • Nebraska Kidney Association: $4,221 to fund 300 participant screenings outside of Omaha

  • Nebraska Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation: $2,500 to expand their education programs in Spanish

  • Nebraska AIDS Project: $4,063 for Zoom and Docusign licenses for case workers across the state

  • Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association: $3,290 for trauma-informed care with veterans and PTSD

  • United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska: $5,300 to open a Tech Tools library in Scottsbluff, NE

2020 Grants

  • Autism Action Partnership: $3,000 to fund the Circle of Friends program in 10 schools

  • Arthritis Foundation Nebraska: $1,750 to send kids to JA summer camp

  • Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska: $3,100 to expand Unmasking Brain Injury statewide exhibit

  • Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Nebraska/Iowa Chapter: $1,250 to help fund scholarships to send kids to Crohn’s summer camp

  • JDRF International - Nebraska-SW (Southwest) Iowa Chapter: $2,500 to fund Movie Night in North Platte

  • Nebraska Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation: $2,500 for teen program expansion

  • Nebraska AIDS Project: $5,000 to expand PrEP to Kearney

  • Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association: $3,500 to fund peer-to-peer continuing education hours at its 2020 conference

  • Muscular Dystrophy Association of Nebraska: $1,500 to help fund scholarships to send kids to MDA camp

2019 Grants

  • Autism Action Partnership: $3,000 to fund the Circle of Friends program in 10 schools.

  • Arthritis Foundation Nebraska: $2,500 to send two kids to JA summer camp and a sponsorship for JA Family Day.

  • Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska: $1,500 to fund outreach to one organization to train employees to screen, identify and manage brain injury.

  • Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Nebraska/Iowa Chapter: $2,500 to fund two scholarships for Camp Oasis

  • JDRF International – Heartland Chapter, Lincoln and Greater Nebraska: $3,250 to fund two family movie days in greater Nebraska.

  • Nebraska Kidney Association: $3,850 to provide approximately 230 detection screenings in conjunction with CHAD workplace giving campaigns in 2019.

  • United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska: $5,500 to fully fund the expansion of the Go Baby Go program to greater Nebraska.

  • #CommunityChoiceGrant recipient: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Nebraska Chapter; $1,000 grant was awarded based on community vote.


Grant Requirements

The CHAD Board of Directors is responsible for the Foundation's management, including overseeing of the distribution of funds through a grant-making process. Grants are evaluated for meeting identified needs with achievable and deliverable outcomes based on the following criteria:

  • All monies distributed through the Foundation must be used for funding very specific agency programs and may not be used for annual operating expenses.

  • Funds must be used to expand existing programs or for new initiatives where our member agencies' current resources are not sufficient to meet the needs.

  • Grants will be made to agencies after the Endowment Fund exceeds $500,000 in assets. Grants will be dispersed from interest and dividends generated from those contributions.

CHAD Curt Gordon Memorial Foundation Investment Opportunities

Circle of Friends

We thank all who have contributed generously to the CHAD Curt Gordon Memorial Foundation; these individuals are helping us build a legacy of hope and healing for future generations. The Foundation recognizes the following contribution categories:

Platinum Circle ($50,000+)
Gold Circle ($10,000 to $49,999)
Silver Circle ($5,000 to $9,999)
Bronze Circle ($1,000 to $4,999)
Friends Circle (Gifts up to $999)

Your tax-deductible investment to the Foundation will make a lasting difference in the lives of all Nebraskans affected by chronic illness. To contribute to the Foundation, click here.

Founder's Society

We honor the members of the CHAD Founder's Society who have made provisions for future contributions to the CHAD Curt Gordon Memorial Foundation. You have a chance to make a lasting, impactful investment while benefiting your family's future financial well-being. If you would like to invest in member agencies through wills, life insurance, trusts and other planned gifts, please contact Michelle.