We believe rural communities, family farms and local businesses are national treasures that provide the foundation upon which our nation was built. Thank you for your generous support in our mission to ensure a strong and vibrant future for this American treasure.
Support our work and help create a vibrant rural America.
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Meet Kevin
Kevin Raun contributes annually to the Center. Last year, he tried something new and gifted grain. Click here to meet Kevin.
Thank you 2023 donors
We couldn’t do it without you!
This list reflects funders of the Center for Rural Affairs and its subsidiaries from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023. Thank you for your support.
Granary Foundation donors
The Granary Foundation is the Center’s endowment fund. Gifts to the Granary are invested and the income is used to support the Center’s mission. Please contact us if you would like to discuss making a gift to the Granary Foundation or would like to include the Center in your estate plan.
- Dennis & Ruth Demmel
- Cornelia & Jan Flora
- Phyllis Hassebrook*
- Don Ralston
- 1 Anonymous donor
Center for Rural Affairs Donors
We’re pleased to honor our 2023 donors. Your generosity and dedication empower the Center’s work to build a vibrant, welcoming, and just rural America.
$1,000 and greater
- Nicholas, Century, Willow & Jessi Bergin*
- Mike & Lori Bride*
- Linda & Joe Butkus*
- Dennis & Ruth Demmel
- Brian Depew*
- Jerry Depew & Dorothy Lamberti
- Claryce Evans
- Charles & Barbara Francis
- Barbara Francisco
- Cindy & Dave Goeller
- Connie Gompert
- Gretchen Hall & David Saadah
- Connie & David Hansen
- Bradley Hinton
- Karen Hutt & Stephen Tiwald+
- Keith Johnson+
- Sheila Leete
- James & Cynthia Mohl
- Paul Neukirch+
- Helen & Robert Nichols+
- Kevin & Jessica Raun
- Don & Barbara Reeves
- Dan & Marge Schlitt
- Mary Jo & Lester Schmerr
- Carol & Joe Schmieding
- Pierre Tonachel
- Katie Weitz, Ph.D. & Tim Wilson+
- Lynn & Beverly Wightman
- Mark & Margaret Yackel-Juleen
- Jane & Loren Yule*+
$250 to $999
- Clyde & Mary Anna Anderson
- Leverne & Nancy Barrett
- Robert & Joann Barry
- Patrick Bauer
- Ann Beckenhauer & George Wimmer
- Richard Benning
- Mary Blackmore
- Tonya & Duane Daskam
- Al Davis
- Barbara Dilly*
- Otto & Barbara Doering
- Dee Ebel & Gerry Rathouz
- Ronald & Joan Ellermeier
- Alvin Eshe*
- Merlin & Marcia Fick
- Janaki Fisher-Merritt
- Melissa Florell*
- Lisa & Jim French
- Susan Gillies
- Rebecca Gould*
- Peter Mark Graff
- Kathleen Grant
- Mark Gustafson & Dianne Travers Gustafson+
- Mark Halverson
- Donna Hansen
- Carmen Heider & Paul Czisny
- Roger Hill
- Doug Hillmer
- Harmon Hoff & Eve Ann Shwartz
- Anne Jenkins
- Claude & Linda Jensen
- Ron J. Johnson & Mary Beck
- Kylie & Brenn Kai*
- Barbara Klubal & Jan Svec
- Cleo Kottwitz
- Walter & Sharon Koziol
- Larry Kramer
- Pat Kubly
- Barb Kudera
- Pat Lamb
- G. Wade Leak & Jay Yost
- Joe Lesiak & Charisse Hutton
- Kent Lewandowski
- Mark & Susan Liebig*
- Matt Liebman & Laura Merrick
- Marvin Liewer
- Donald & Gail Marti
- Alexandra McClanahan Shively
- Mark & Susan McConnell
- Amanda & Patrick McKinney*
- Barbara Meister
- Phil Menke*
- Mark Metcalf & Patricia Vauck
- Robert & Suzanne Meyerson
- Janece & Wayne Mollhoff*
- Dan Morgan
- Arland Mozer
- Cheryl Mugno & William Trompeter
- Mark Munson
- Doug Nopar
- Rita J. Ormsby*
- David & Susan K. Pease*
- Krista Peeks Dittman
- Thomas & Debra Posey
- Kim & Trevor Preston*
- Beverly Rehm
- Sandra Renner*
- Catherine & Jamie Renshaw*
- Paul & Susan Rice
- Tim Rinne & Kay Walter
- Marvin & Sheila Schmidt
- Lucia Schulz*
- Lynette Seigley
- Charles & Joan Shapiro
- Owen Shiflett
- Ben & Marj Shomshor
- Deborah Solie*
- Joe Stehlik
- Mary Swander
- Paul & Mary Jo Swanson
- Lee Tesdell
- Paul & Diane Thompson
- Janice & Richard Tiggelaar
- Jim Tikalsky
- Sharon Tinker
- Jeff Tracy
- Judith Vohland
- Michael & Barbara Wahler
- Scott Walters*
- Robert & Gudrun Warrick
- Dave & Deb Welsch
- Tom & Denesse Willey
- Larry & Rebecca Williams
- Angela Winkler
- Mark Wolfe
- Richard Wynne
- Stan Yogi & David Carroll
- James & Eileen Zentner
- 1 Anonymous donor
$1 to $249
- Cynthia Aguilar
- Dr. Ahmad Al-Absy
- Joe Amy
- Mads & Chloe Andenas
- Valerie Ankeny*
- Clinton & Cecilia Antholz
- Maria Arriaga
- Nancy Athey
- Sandra Atkinson
- Darline Balm-Demmel
- Paul Barby
- Norman Barker
- Kristy Barnes
- John Barrier
- Richard Baumert
- Sue Baumert
- Mel & Mary Ann Beckman
- Allan & Joan Benjamin
- David Bequeaith
- Jeannette Bergt
- Elizabeth Bird
- George & Anne Bird
- Laurine M. Blankenau
- Ruth Blocker
- Ross Blount
- Donna Bolz
- Carol Bouska
- Louise Boyd
- Wade Britzius
- Kate Brooke
- Cheryl Brown
- Tony & Patty Brown
- Lin Brummels
- William Bryan
- Marvin Bryant
- Wayne Bueltel
- Trenton Buhr-Roschewski
- Janet Carlson
- Jonah Carlson
- Steve & Lynn Carnes*
- Jerry & Karen Carolan
- James Carr
- Justin Carter*
- Brenda Castellanos
- Karla Castellanos
- Yesenia Chavez
- Nicci Chitwood*
- Graham Christensen
- Elizabeth Clark
- Linda Clark
- Erik Cleveland
- Maria Contreras
- Kenneth Cookson
- David Corbin
- Sam Cordes & Trish Brown
- David & Linda Cunningham
- Linda Daniel
- Joan Davidson
- Alexander Davila
- Scott & Carol Davis
- Carol Deardorff
- Alex Delworth*
- Carol & John Dennison
- Anne DeVries*
- Dwight Dial*
- James Dickson
- Jack & Michelle Dill*
- Terry Dittmer
- Jim & Brenda Dooley
- Jan & Don Doumakes*
- Adriana Dungan
- Vickie Dunn
- John Dyck
- Margaret Dyson-Cobb*
- Carroll Ebner
- Jonathan Eckman*
- Kristi Effenbeck
- Peggy & Ronald Egertsen
- Chris & Carol Eisenbeis
- Carl & Debbie Engstrom
- Mark Erlander
- Jennifer Ernest
- J. Roger & Darly Evanson
- Jack & Linda Fanning
- Cynthia Farmer*
- Janice Farrell
- Hildy Feen
- Aaron Fischbach
- Joe Fitzgerald
- Leonard & Sandy Fleischer
- Wyatt & Jeanie Fraas*
- Susan Frembgen
- Jerry & Kathleen Fullerton
- Tom & Rebecca Furlong
- George Gehant
- Cynthia Gehrie
- Mark M. Giese
- Gil Gillespie
- Jan & Melvin Gimbel
- Carol Glenister
- Earl Glenn
- Ryan Goertzen-Regier
- Rex & Kathleen Gogerty
- Anna Gonzalez
- Judith Gonzalez
- Dan & Norma Green
- Kevin Greenwood
- Anthony Gurrola
- Donna Haake
- Donald Hagedorn
- Patricia Halbur
- Marlene Halverson
- Del Harsh
- Gloria Hauser
- DeLynn & Esther Hay
- Jan Hayen
- Alison Heins
- Randy Helgerson
- Helene Hembreiker
- Tom Hemm
- Claudette Hernandez
- Christian Hertneky
- Robert Hitchcock
- Thomas Hodson
- Teresa Hoffman
- Heather & Jason Holcomb
- Linus & Elaine Holthaus
- John Hoover
- Bill Horner
- Jay Howe
- Jerold & Bonnie Hubbard
- Catharine Huddle
- Lawrence & Mary Lou Hultgren
- Glenda Humiston
- John & Ellen Ikerd
- Gregory & Anne Isaackson
- Chuck Isenhart
- Elizabeth Ivers
- Meg Jackson*
- Frank James
- Katie Jantzen
- Vern & Delores Jantzen
- Sam Jilka
- Charlie & Bette Johnson
- Duane Johnson
- James D. Johnson
- Ed Kail
- Barbara & James Kalbach
- Jean & Gerald Karlen
- Charles & Margaret Karpf
- Pam Kaufman
- Roy Kaufman
- Beth Kernes Krause
- Jack Kibbie
- Rosalie Kleinschmidt
- Julia Kleinschmit
- Jerry Kloberdanz
- Thomas & Lou Ann Kneifl
- Jim & Carolyn Knopik
- Heidi Kolbeck-Urlacher*
- Pilar Konz
- Ted Kooser & Kathleen Rutledge
- Robert & Eleanor Kraenow
- Ron Kroese
- Randy & Pam Krzmarzick
- Scott & Wendy Kubik
- David Kunzweiler
- Larry Kurtz
- Robert Kuzelka*
- Joni Kuzma
- Ana Laguna
- Edward & Bernadette Lange
- Evelyn Lange
- Thomas Lansworth
- Glenn Leach
- Kim Lecher
- Dick Leitschuck
- Gary Lesoing
- Norman Leuenberger
- Jan Libbey & Tim Landgraf
- Larry & Joanna Lindberg
- Jillian Linster*
- Anne Lippstreu
- Daniel Looker
- Martha Lowe
- Melitza Lundungo
- Rebecca Lyman
- Patricia MacRae & Timothy Rowan
- Charles Manlove
- Karen Manning
- Paula Mares
- Philip Margolis
- Alexis Marquez
- Donald & Laurie Marsden
- Laurel Marsh & Danny Clark
- Martin Massengale
- Alan Mathis
- Robin Matthews
- Mary McCall
- Meredith McCann*
- Kevin McCarron
- Michael McMullen
- Marilyn McNabb
- Jose & Marisela Mendez
- Beronica Mendoza
- Grayce Mesner
- Nancy & Alan Meyer*
- Evalee Mickey
- Guadalupe Millan
- Ariel Miller
- James Miller
- Ron Miller
- Chris Mondak
- Solangel Monroy
- Allen & Diane Moravec
- Jenifer Morrissey
- Mark & Carol Moseman
- Delmar & Nancy Mueller
- Tommy & Georgia Mullen
- Michael Muller
- John & Pat Muntz
- Glen Murray
- Jeanette Nakada
- Hugo Cesar Navarrete
- Dixie Nelson*
- Jan Nelson
- Laverne & Arlene Nelson
- Tom & Ruth Neuberger
- Phillip & Debbie Nielsen
- Dale & Sunny Nimrod
- Neal Nollette
- Elpidia Novoa
- Rich Nymoen
- Phillip O’Brien
- Harold Olson
- Paul Olson
- Chris Omeara Dietrich
- Amelia Ortiz Murillo
- Maria Carolina Ortiz
- Richard Ouren
- Dalia Pacheco
- Daniel Padilla
- Mary & Jerry Partridge
- Patti Patrie
- Gerald Paulson
- Anne Pearson
- Emilee Pease & Tyler Pribbeno
- David Peck
- Charles & Nancy Peek
- Jim Pelzer
- Kay Pence
- Tom & Gretchen Pesek
- Carroll Peterson
- Merlin Pfannkuch
- Evey Phillips
- George Piper
- Frank & Deborah Popper
- Cara Potter
- Timothy & Marie Powell
- Lory & Gary Power
- Tamara Prenosil
- David & Gail Prestemon
- Samantha Prinz
- Ron & Marilyn Prochaska
- Mick & Nancy Puckett
- Andres Quijano
- Amy Radding*
- Gloria Ramirez
- Peter Raun
- Susan Raye
- Don Reasoner
- Arlene Renshaw
- Avis Renshaw
- Leander & Mary Rerucha
- Cliff & Harrietta Reynolds
- Helen Richardson
- Charles Riedesel
- Harlyn & Karen Riekena
- Mary Rogers
- Patrick & Linda Rogers
- Robert Rogman
- Gloria Rojas Acevedo
- Randolph Roth
- Everett Rowland
- Joanne Rudnick
- Jonathan Rush
- Maria Sanchez
- Amy Sandeen
- Laura Sayre
- Dennis Schill
- Erin Schoenberg
- Ben Schole
- Lori Schrader*
- Loren Schroeder
- Ruth Ann Schultz
- Mark & Susan Schulz
- Gary Scott
- Diane Seaver*
- Esperanza Sedano
- Dwight Sheets
- Jim & Sara Shelton
- Diana Jane Sickles
- Susan Skinner
- Richard & Diana Sloan
- Connie & Bill Smith
- Mary & Richard Smythe*
- Wayne Sorenson
- Veronica Spindola*
- JB Stamper
- Patrick Standley & Matt Russell
- Lanette Stec
- Emma & George Steen
- Ron Stone
- Palma Strand
- Andrew Strassman
- Carolann Streett*
- Aubrey Streit Krug*
- Ralph Surprenant
- Jenna Sutterfield*
- Carl & Nina Swanson
- Nic Swiercek
- Maria Sykes
- Leo Tammi
- Thomas Thelen
- Karen Thomas
- Margaret Thompson
- Pam Thorson
- Paul Tippery
- Mark & Connie Tjelmeland
- Ron & Lois Todd-Meyer
- Tom Tomas
- Pat Tomlin
- Steve Toney
- Roger Topil
- Steve Turman & Maggie McQuown
- Joe & Anita Twitchell
- Elaine Uhlir
- Wendy Urquidez
- Anne Vidaver
- Alma Villatoro
- Eve Vogel
- Ingolf Vogeler
- Oren & Joyce Vogt
- Thomas von Geldern & Cynthia Skrukrud
- Christina von Roedern*
- Ronald Vos
- Dan Voss
- Matthew Voss
- Margaret Vrana
- M. Judd Wagner
- Rod Wagner
- Ellen Walsh-Rosmann & Daniel Rosmann
- Wendy Wasserman
- Jon Welch
- Thomas Wellington
- Jack & Carol Werner
- Roger Wess
- Norm & Susan West
- Lorrie Whitaker
- Mark Wilke
- Vernon Williams
- Norma & Jerry Wilson
- George Wolf
- Tony Wolk & Lindy Delf
- Mary Woolsey
- James & Janell Woracek
- Katy Wortel
- Edith & Robert Zahniser
- Bill & Dorothy Zales
- 6 Anonymous donors
Institutional Funders
Institutional funders are government agencies, foundations, and other organizations that provide funding for specific initiatives.
- Builders Initiative Foundation
- Carolyn Foundation
- Central City Area Chamber of Commerce
- Chicago Community Foundation, Chicago Community Trust
- Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI)
- Clif Family Foundation
- CoBank, Young Professionals Associate Resource Groups
- Energy Foundation
- Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
- Farm Aid
- Farmers Advocating for Organic (FAFO)
- First National Bank of Omaha
- Grain Place Foods
- Heising-Simons Foundation
- Holland Foundation
- Land O’Lakes Community Impact Council
- Lincoln Community Foundation, Family Farm Fund
- Lincoln University
- Lozier Foundation
- MAZON | A Jewish Response To Hunger
- McKnight Foundation
- Meshewa Farm Foundation
- Michigan State University
- MOSAIC, a project of the Tides Center
- National Center for Appropriate Technology
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- Native American Agriculture Fund
- Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
- Nebraska Department of Economic Development
- Nebraska Department of Education
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
- OCIA International
- Presentation Sisters, Aberdeen, South Dakota
- Presentation Sisters, Dubuque, Iowa
- RE-AMP Network
- Regenerative Agriculture Foundation
- Sherwood Foundation
- Steiert Family Foundation
- Stroud National Agency Inc.
- T & M Inc.
- The GROW Nebraska Foundation
- The Horton The Elephant Fund
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Services
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Partnerships & Public Engagement
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Risk Management Agency
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Microloan Program
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Women’s Business Ownership
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Walton Family Foundation
- Weitz Family Foundation
- Wells Fargo
- Wichita State University
- William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation
Capital Partners & Investors
Capital partners and investors provide capital to revolving loan funds operated by the Center for Rural Affairs and its subsidiary, Center for Rural Affairs Community Capital.
- First National Bank of Omaha
- Lincoln Community Foundation, Alice Dittman Integrity Loan Fund
- Nebraska Department of Economic Development
- Peter Kiewit Foundation
- Sherwood Foundation
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
- U.S. Department of Treasury, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Community Advantage Program
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Microloan Program
- William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation
