Lexington Community Foundation, Courtesy
LEXINGTON — The Lexington Community Foundation proudly announces the success of its 15th annual Giving Day—Mission Possible: Make Impact Possible.
This year’s mission united our incredible community in a shared objective: to create lasting impact through collective generosity. With heartfelt gratitude, we thank every supporter who accepted the call and helped make this year’s Giving Day an extraordinary triumph.
Our agents of generosity went above and beyond, raising $573,000 to power 80 community causes. Each contribution—big or small—served as vital intel in advancing our mission, proving once again that when our community unites for a purpose, our mission becomes a reality.
The day was filled with inspiring stories, live events, and the spirit of collaboration that defines LCF.
From local businesses stepping up as sponsors to individual donors sharing giving messages, every contribution made a significant impact. Together, we are not just raising funds; we are building a stronger, more connected community.
“Give BIG Lexington is Mission Possible in action,” said Beth Roberts, LCF Executive Director. “It’s more than a fundraising effort; it’s a coordinated mission that unites everyone who believes in our cause. We’re deeply grateful for our donors, volunteers, and advocates—the dedicated agents of impact—who accepted the call and helped move our mission forward.”
The Give BIG initiative began in 2011 and, in 2019, was expanded to include area foundations. This year, Cozad, Elwood, Gothenburg, and Overton each held giving days for their communities in conjunction with Give BIG Lexington. In all, 181 causes participated.
While the Lexington Community Foundation is preparing finalized totals, preliminary results indicate that over $713,000 in donations were received for all causes, including those of our partnering campaigns.
With match funds and prize money of $53,100, a total of $766,100 will be distributed to the causes.
The Foundation recognizes our volunteers’ important role in the success of the giving day. Thanks are expressed to LCF Event and Secret Mission Bucks Sponsors, Give BIG Lexington media sponsors, the local businesses that promoted Give BIG on their marquees, and the businesses/organizations that shared their employees to help at the event. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Giving Day.
Mission Possible: accomplished. Thanks to our community’s unstoppable spirit, we’ve proven that when purpose meets action, extraordinary things happen. Together, we’re building a legacy of impact—one mission at a time.
GIVE BIG LEXINGTON: By the Numbers
Lexington Community Foundation presents the following Give BIG Lexington preliminary results:
TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED: $520,244
TOTAL DISTRIBUTED TO NONPROFITS: $573,344
TOTAL MATCH POOL: $50,000
GOLDEN TICKET PRIZES: $1,600
GO FOR THE GOLD PRIZE: $1,500
# DONATIONS MADE: 1,150
# ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING DONATIONS: 80
Results of Partnering Campaigns:
Give Big Cozad $70,917 35 causes
Give Big Elwood $93,790 35 causes
Give Big Gothenburg $18,075 18 causes
Give Big Overton $10,030 13 causes
TOP 10 ORGANIZATIONS (by amount raised):
1. JL Playground – Pickleball Project – $58,080
2. Orthman Community YMCA – $58,025
3. Dawson County Cancer Care – $27,966
4. Lexington Volunteer Fire Department – $27,905
5. Dawson County Historical Museum – $22,085
6. HOMES – $19,327
7. UNIFUT – $15,367
8. Johnson Lake EMS – $15,135
9. Johnson Lake Trails – $13,165
10. Majestic Theatre – $11,628
MISSION 15 CHALLENGE WINNER: Paw Prints
(Donation randomly drawn by MightyCause upon the completion of Give BIG Lexington, one $1,500
prize grant to the organization)
SECRET MISSION BUCKS PRIZE WINNERS:
($100 to a nonprofit randomly drawn by MightyCause each hour)
1. PR Mobile – JL Playground – Pickleball Project
2. Jill Wightman – Johnson Lake EMS
3. Various Donors – Lexington Soccer League
4. VFW Auxiliary Post 5136 – Lexington Volunteer Fire Department
5. Ron & Roz Laux – Central NE Human Trafficking
6. Elinor Sherman – Dawson County Cancer Care
7. Terry & Linda Lauby – Heartland Military Museum
8. Anonymous Donor – Dawson County Historical Museum
9. Lexington Family Chiropractic – Minuteman Fine Arts Association
10. Mike & Karla Denker – Lexington Baseball Association
11. David & Cynthia Boyd – UNIFUT
12. Jerry & Mary Bergstrom – Johnson Lake Fireworks
13. Anonymous Donor – Meals on Wheels
14. Nancy Pinedo – Community Helping Liaison Fund
15. Kim Sutton – Lions Club
16. Toby Owens & Amy Biehl-Owens – Optimist Club
