Go Big Give, (Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND — Hundreds of thousands of dollars are expected to be raised for causes in Hall, Hamilton, Howard, and Merrick Counties during one of central Nebraska’s largest giving days.
Go Big GIVE sets sail for giving on May 1. Donors have been able to donate through Pre-Give since April 21.
Match-pool funds and incentive prizes allow donations to grow thanks to Admiral’s Circle sponsors Hornady Manufacturing, Greater Grand Island Community Foundation and Heartland United Way and generous Captain’s Deck sponsors, including: Virgil Eihusen Foundation, Inc., S.N. “Bud” and Gloria Wolbach Foundation, and Lutz.
Sponsors giving at the First Mate level include: Five Points Bank, Woodsonia Real Estate, Merrick Foundation and Hamilton Community Foundation. Other sponsors keeping Go Big GIVE afloat include ALLO, AMGL, PC, Roe Automotive Inc., Schuster Anderson Wealth Advisors, Walmart, AMUR, Associated Staffing Inc, Bruning Bank, CHI Health St. Francis, Equitable Bank, Essential Screens, FNBO, Heritage Bank, Home Federal Bank, Nebraska State Fair, Nova-Tech Inc., UNITY Eye Center, and Wortman Enterprises.
Sounding the horn is our 2025 Cheer Squad Sponsors: NRG Media, GI Family Radio, Local 4 and The Grand Island Independent.
Fun Facts
• 167 nonprofits participating in 2025.
• 15 are new participants.
• $251,984 raised in first year (2014).
• More than $10.6 million raised for over 200 nonprofits since 2014.
• $1,517,477 raised last year.
Areas benefiting
• Animal Welfare
• Arts & Culture
• Community Improvement
• Education
• Environment & Parks
• Health & Safety
• Human Services
• Recreation & Fitness
• Youth Development
The Go Big GIVE team can be found at this year’s Headquarters at the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation (1811 W. 2nd Street, Grand Island). For additional information, contact Sara Kirkley at 308-390-3138. Other media contacts include:
Heartland United Way
1441 N. Webb Road
Grand Island, NE 68803
TEL: 308-382-2675
Cell: 308-380-0778
karen@heartlandunitedway.org
Greater Grand Island Community Foundation
1503 W 2nd Street
Grand Island, NE 68801
TEL: 308-381-7767
CELL: 308-227-9976
mdelaet@gicf.org
Go Big GIVE Nonprofit Events
GI AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | GIVING NEVER TASTED SO GOOD!
7:00-11:00 A.M. & NOON-3:00 P.M. AT HABITAT LOT, GRAND ISLAND, 5:00-8:00 P.M. AT TACOS LOS HERMANOS, GRAND ISLAND
CENTURA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | GO BIG GIVE 2025
7:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M. AT 223 SOUTH HIGH ST., CAIRO
GRAND ISLAND HOMETOWN HEROES | DRIVE-THRU & BANNER REVEAL CEREMONY
7:00-8:30 A.M. & 4:30-5:30 P.M. AT UNITED VETERANS CLUB
6:00-8:00 P.M. AT 2214 COLLEGE ST., GRAND ISLAND
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL FOUNDATION | GBG!!
7:30-9:00 A.M. AT 208 W. 13TH ST., GRAND ISLAND
CAIRO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GO BIG GIVE DAY AT THE VAULT
8:00 A.M.-7:00 P.M. AT 223 S. HIGH ST., CAIRO
HOWARD CO. MEDICAL CENTER | CHUCK A DUCK, UNIFORM CONNECTION MOBILE STORE, KENNABELL’S BBQ & ICE CREAM SOCIAL
8:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. AT 1113 SHERMAN ST., ST. PAUL
WOOD RIVER COMMUNITY CENTENNIAL FOUNDATION | OPEN HOUSE
8:30 A.M.-6:30 P.M. AT 108 W. 10TH ST., WOOD RIVER
LEGAL AID OF NEBRASKA | SET SAIL FOR JUSTICE!
9:00 A.M.-NOON AT DAILY DOSE COFFEE, GRAND ISLAND
5:00-8:00 P.M. AT AXE HOLES, GRAND ISLAND
MIDPLAINS CENTER | CHARTING A COURSE TO RECOVERY
9:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. AT 914 BAUMANN DR., GRAND ISLAND
THE LEADERSHIP CENTER| COFFEE, CAKE, & CONTRIBUTIONS
9:00-11:00 A.M. AT ESPRESSIONS, AURORA
GRAND ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION| BOOK FAIR!
9:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. AT 1124 W. 2ND ST., GRAND ISLAND
HEARTLAND CASA | COME HANGRY, LEAVE HAPPY & GO BIG (RED TREATS) GIVE
10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. AT CASA, GRAND ISLAND
1:00-10:00 P.M. AT BIG RED TREATS, GRAND ISLAND
MULTICULTURAL COALITION | LEARNING CENTER OPEN HOUSE
10:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. AT 387 N. WALNUT ST., GRAND ISLAND
AMERICAN RED CROSS | TACOS & RED CROSS
11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. AT 404 E. 3RD ST., GRAND ISLAND
LITERACY COUNCIL OF GRAND ISLAND | OPEN HOUSE
1:00-3:00 P.M. AT 115 W. CHARLES ST., GRAND ISLAND
EPIC DISCOVERY CENTER | EPIC TREASURE HUNT
2:00-7:00 P.M. AT 202 N. CUSTER AVE., GRAND ISLAND
IMAGINATION CITY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM | MAY DAY
5:00-7:00 P.M. AT 2120 LAWRENCE LANE, GRAND ISLAND
THE ARC OF CENTRAL NEBRASKA | PAINTING FOR INCLUSION
5:30-7:00 P.M. AT ARTS AND DRAFTS, GRAND ISLAND
GOOD LIFE RESCUE | HOTDOG BAR
6:00-8:00 P.M. AT 707 W. ANNA ST., GRAND ISLAND
PLATTE PEER GROUP | PRAIRIE WILDFLOWER HIKE
7:00-9:00 P.M. AT 898 BADER PARK RD., CHAPMAN
