Applications for the 2026 Weaver Awards are open!
The Lincoln Community Foundation is partnering with the Aspen Institute's Weave: The Social Fabric Project to recognize 20 individuals and groups in Lincoln who are building trust, belonging and connection.
The Weaver Awards are part of a constellation of activities designed to celebrate and support weavers - everyday neighbors who are building relationships, strengthening belonging, and weaving trust into the social fabric of their communities. The $4,000 awards for neighbors awards for neighbors working together are easy to apply for, require only simple reporting and can go to individuals or small organizations whether they are registered as nonprofits or not.
The Awards are open to residents of Lincoln, Nebraska who are 18 years and older and are not intended for large nonprofits. While many people in Lincoln are serving their neighbors, the Weaver Awards look for those whose projects also create lasting relationships and build trust as people work together to strengthen their community and weave a tighter social fabric.
"Neighbors everywhere are quietly working to heal, nurture and build connections in the neighborhood, and so often they get overlooked,” says Frederick J. Riley, Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute. “Our aim is to shine a light on these folks doing the hard work of connecting our communities and invite us all to take the next step to weave like them.”
People can apply themselves or recommend a neighbor at https://awards.weavers.org/en/lincoln/2026 by August 10, 2026.
The application is intentionally simple, asking questions about the people involved, the project, and the community, with no need for a detailed budget. Every applicant must have at least one neighbor to recommend them as a trusted community connector.
Weave has hosted the Awards in several communities over the past 5 years, honoring hundreds of weavers across the country. This year, LCF was selected as one of 25 Community Host organizations to host the Awards in Lincoln.
“The strength of our community is found in the relationships we build with one another,” said Amanda Barker, Director of Engagement and Partnerships & Connections Driver for Prosper Lincoln 3.0. “When neighbors know each other, support each other and work together to address local challenges, entire communities become more vibrant and resilient. The Weaver Awards help shine a light on the people who are making that happen every day across Lincoln.”
The Awardees will be chosen by a selection panel of community advocates. And everyone who applies can get support for their own neighborhood work – whether they receive an award or not – by joining the free, online Weaving.Us community. The community helps people meet other weavers, find collaborators, learn about other grants and fellowships, and access free training ranging from public speaking to grant writing and community organizing.
Visit https://awards.weavers.org/en/lincoln/2026 to learn more about nominating a neighbor or applying.
About Weave
Weave: The Social Fabric Project is an initiative of the Aspen Institute dedicated to strengthening trust, connection, and belonging in communities across the United States. Weave supports everyday weavers—neighbors who show up for others, bridge divides, and build community. Through storytelling, online learning, community-building programs, and the Weaver Awards, Weave works to repair America’s social fabric from the ground up and lift up the people who are already leading this work in their neighborhoods. Learn more at weavers.org.
About Lincoln Community Foundation
Through partnerships and collaboration, Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF) facilitates positive change for the common good.
Since 1955, LCF has been privileged to be part of many wonderful legacies by connecting donor generosity to local needs. With gifts of all sizes from thousands of donors over the years, the assets of LCF have grown to more than $271 million. LCF has distributed more than $275 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that have improved the lives of residents.
Lincoln Community Foundation is accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®.
