UNL ‘Strive to Thrive’ program gives 10K to local nonprofits

The class held a virtual award ceremony on Wednesday to announce the winners.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Each semester students enrolled in MNGT 411 within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business, take part in Strive to Thrive.

The program allows students to learn about the community and its needs. The students then develop funding priorities in the form of a mission statement. They then select 25 local nonprofits whose work aligns with that mission statement. Through visitations and research, groups share their findings with the class. Two nonprofits are then chosen to receive a $5,000 grant.

On Wednesday, the class held a virtual award ceremony to announce the winners. Visionary Youth and South of Downtown Community Development Organization were the winners.

“We’re just going to make things happen for the community,” Visionary Youth executive director KB Mensah said.  “The funds will be applied to our new location, our new physical location.”

The grant was made possible through donor Rhonda Seacrest, the Learning by Giving Foundation and the partnership of the College of Business.

“We are very honored,” South of Downtown executive director Shawn Ryba said. “We’re appreciative and excited. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and interview us.”