Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Gives the Gift of Nebraska

When Jennifer Skala wanted to give her out-of-state colleagues a taste of Nebraska, she knew that GROW Nebraska® could help.

Skala, senior vice president of the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, was planning to host child advocacy professionals from around the country in Nebraska this spring. She wanted to show off Nebraska as other states had done when she visited their workshops.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the workshop to happen virtually instead. Skala couldn’t give tours of Nebraska attractions and give her colleagues a taste of Dorothy Lynch salad dressing or Nebraska beef.

So, she turned to GROW Nebraska®. The Nebraska Children and Families Foundation bought 105 gift cards valued at $35 each to be used to purchase anything on GROW’s Buy Nebraska website.

Skala said many people outside of Nebraska have misconceptions about the state, and she thought GROW Nebraska® would be a great way to showcase the great products and entrepreneurs in Nebraska and maybe dispel some of those misconceptions.

“I thought it would be great to share GROW Nebraska® because of all the things that are created here, and I think it’s really important that we support each other in economic opportunities, especially right now,” Skala said.

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Jessie Harris, Director of Marketing and Business Development for GROW Nebraska®, said the gift card purchases directly support Nebraska businesses.

“It’s a great example of being ‘Nebraska Strong’ and supporting one another,” Harris said. “During COVID-19, this kind of purchase can help keep small businesses’ doors open.”

The Nebraska Children and Families Foundation is a 22-year-old non-profit organization that focuses on providing resources and forming partnerships to help Nebraska kids and families thrive. They do so through initiatives and programs, such as supporting and encouraging after-school programs and early childhood education initiatives and helping foster children successfully transition into adulthood.

If you would like to purchase GROW Nebraska gift cards, please email info@grownebraska.org.

GROW Nebraska® Foundation is a statewide non-profit training and marketing organization. Serving over 400 Nebraska small businesses, the organization provides marketing opportunities, education, and training to launch and connect Nebraska businesses to the global marketplace. GROW Nebraska’s educational programs receive federal and state funding, along with generous support from foundations and individual donors.