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The mission of the Lincoln Community Foundation is to secure gifts to perpetually enrich and improve the Lincoln community for all who live and work here.
- The Lincoln Foundation was incorporated on April 11, 1955, thanks to the interests of family members Thomas C., Frank, and Henry Woods.
- Today, over 350 funds exist thanks to the generosity of many individuals, families, nonprofits and businesses who had a desire to enhance their community.
- The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors drawn from the community and currently manages over $50 million in assets.
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The concept for organizing a community trust for Lincoln and Lancaster County, now known as the Lincoln Community Foundation, became reality due to the interests of family members, Thomas C., Frank, and Henry Woods, who strongly believed that the creation and operation of such an entity would constitute a powerful force for the good of the Lincoln community. The Woods' great affection and interest in the welfare of Lincoln urged the family to give every cooperation to see to it that a way was provided for Lincoln citizens to make charitable gifts with the certainty that their intentions would be permanently observed no matter how conditions or needs changed.
This cooperation began in 1954 when former Executive Secretary of the Lincoln Community Chest, Louis W. Horne, was in Chicago conducting business with Frank Woods of the Woods Charitable Fund, Inc. Woods inquired if Lincoln had a community trust for receiving bequests and disbursing the same in accordance with current needs. Horne replied that a meeting of community leaders had been held several years earlier to discuss the possibility, however had not been enthusiastically supported, nor discussed again. Woods then proposed that should Horne initiate the concept a second time, the Woods Charitable Fund would make a sizeable contribution toward the Trust if formed. Upon his return to Lincoln, Horne relayed the offer to the officers of the Community Chest and was directed to proceed.
A subsequent meeting of leading citizens generated much enthusiasm and a committee was appointed to create corporation documentation. Nearly one year later in April, 1955, the suggested articles of incorporation and original incorporators were accepted. On April 11, 1955, the first meeting and organizational session of the members of the Lincoln Foundation, Inc. was held. The articles of incorporation were signed and the nomination and election of the initial Board of Directors was held.
The first gift to the Lincoln Foundation came from the Woods Charitable Fund and totaled $50,000. Shortly thereafter, the Foundation received its first applications for grants. Two requests were received and one funded, a grant of $539 to Pinewood Bowl for a film projector.
In 1994 the Foundation’s name was changed to Lincoln Community Foundation.
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