Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation

What Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation does

The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation (NSHSF) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1942 and headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing Nebraska's history through private philanthropy. The Foundation operates a portfolio of branded programs (WanderNebraska, RoamNebraska, Walk to the Rock, Cottonwood Society, WanderNebraska Adventure Tours) that collectively reach all 93 Nebraska counties. It serves four primary stakeholder groups: local museums, libraries, and historical societies (as grant recipients via RoamNebraska, which has awarded 266 grants totaling more than $295,000 since 2021); Nebraska students and educators (through scholarships and the Our School, Our Story curriculum); individual donors and heritage tourists (via the Cottonwood Society membership program and Walk to the Rock trail, which has drawn 28,000+ visitors since August 2023); and corporate sponsors (through event underwriting). The Foundation is legally and functionally distinct from the Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS), maintaining its own board, staff, and charitable assets.

The Foundation's technology portfolio is built on third-party platforms rather than proprietary systems: free mobile apps for the Walk to the Rock trail (developed with STQRY) and WanderNebraska (covering 254 sites), an online merchandise store via RAYGUN, donation processing via QGIV, and CRM via Bloomerang. The Foundation stewards digital content including the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps educational resource integrated into the Our School, Our Story curriculum and a Pershing Mural curriculum with 18 lesson plans developed with Humanities Nebraska.

Revenue is generated through five streams: private donations (general and project-specific for initiatives like Alkali Station, RoamNebraska, and the Pershing Mural), the Cottonwood Society annual membership ($500 to $10,000+ tiers), event-based fundraising (WanderNebraska: The Great Road Trip at $45-$75 per ticket, adventure tours at $772-$1,287 per person), merchandise sales, and corporate sponsorships. The Foundation is currently conducting a $4.2 million capital campaign for the Nebraska History Museum and elevated its national profile through a partnership with the State of Nebraska to operate a pavilion at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington D.C. (June-July 2026). An executive director search is underway as of 2026.

Name

Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation

Legal name

Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation

Website

https://nshsf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1942 that preserves and promotes Nebraska's history through private philanthropy, operating statewide programs (WanderNebraska, RoamNebraska, Walk to the Rock, Cottonwood Society) serving all 93 Nebraska counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Preservation Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Heritage preservation
• Historical education
• Nonprofit foundation
• Heritage tourism
• Statewide grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Private Donations and Charitable Contributions: The primary revenue stream. Individual donors contribute to the Foundation's mission-driven programming, with multi-tiered giving through the Cottonwood Society (ranging from $500 to $10,000+ annually) and general one-time donations.
2. Membership Program (Cottonwood Society): Annual membership program with five distinct giving levels named after Nebraska state symbols (Goldenrod $500, Western Meadowlark $1,000, Blue Agate $2,500, Mammoth $5,000, Cottonwood Legacy Council $10,000+). Each tier provides exclusive benefits including NSHS site access, publications, event discounts, and guided tours.
3. Merchandise Sales (Online Store): Sale of branded merchandise including clothing, accessories, books, and limited-edition collectibles through the Foundation's online store (fulfilled via RAYGUN) and at physical events.
4. Event-Based Fundraising: Revenue generated from fundraising events such as WanderNebraska: The Great Road Trip (tickets $45-$75), adventure tour programs (ranging from ~$772 to $1,287 per person for multi-day tours), and sponsorship packages at various levels.
5. Project-Specific Donations: Donations directed to specific projects such as Alkali Station, RoamNebraska, WanderNebraska, Walk to the Rock, Scholarships, Pershing Mural, I-80 Sculpture Project, and the Great American State Fair Nebraska Pavilion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves and promotes Nebraska's history through private philanthropy. It operates heritage tourism programs (WanderNebraska, Walk to the Rock), awards grants to museums and historical organizations (RoamNebraska), runs a multi-tier donor membership program (Cottonwood Society), and produces educational curricula and adventure tours. Revenue comes from donations, memberships, events, tours, and branded merchandise.

Product overview

The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on preserving and promoting Nebraska's history. The core offerings include WanderNebraska (a travel program with 254 sites, mobile app, and printed guides), RoamNebraska (a statewide grants program distributing over $295,000 to museums and historical organizations), the Cottonwood Society (a multi-tiered donor membership program), and WanderNebraska Adventure Tours (all-inclusive history-focused bus tours). Supporting programs include Walk to the Rock (hiking trail experience with mobile app), scholarships for students, the Pershing Mural preservation with educational curriculum, I-80 Sculpture Project preservation, Nebraska Labor History Exhibit, Our School Our Story educational curriculum, and the Future of Nebraska History Museum initiative. The Foundation also operates an online store for Nebraska history merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WanderNebraska℠: Travel adventure program covering 254 Nebraska museums, libraries, parks, and historical points of interest
• WanderNebraska Adventure Tours℠
• Walk to the Rock℠
• RoamNebraska℠
• The Cottonwood Society℠

Products and services

• WanderNebraska A travel adventure program featuring 254 Nebraska museums, libraries, parks, and historical points of interest. Includes printed booklets distributed statewide, a mobile app for iOS and Android, and a companion website (WanderNebraska.com). Users can search and filter locations, map sites, get site-specific information, and track visits as a digital passport.
• RoamNebraska Statewide Grants Program A grants program providing funding of up to $3,000 per grant to museums, historical societies, libraries, and community partners across Nebraska's 93 counties. Supports education, preservation, and interpretive programs including technology upgrades, exhibit cases, educational programming, digitization resources, and building maintenance.
• Cottonwood Society Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• RoamNebraska has awarded 266 grants totaling more than $295,000 to museums, libraries, and historical organizations across Nebraska since 2021
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and historical/archived.

• Scotts Bluff Visitors BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided grant funding for the development of the Walk to the Rock mobile app, enabling digital visitor engagement at Chimney Rock.
• Humanities NebraskacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska's state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (established 1973). Provides grants, a Speakers Bureau, Chautauqua, Museum on Main Street exhibitions, National History Day: Nebraska, and Prime Time Family Reading Time. The Foundation's Resources page links to Humanities Nebraska programs and mutual promotion occurs between the organizations.
• Nebraska Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished 1974, governed by 15 Nebraska citizens appointed by the Governor. Promotes, cultivates, and sustains the arts for Nebraskans through grants and services. The Foundation's Resources page provides information on Nebraska Arts Council grant opportunities for museums, libraries, and cultural organizations.
• Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhile legally and functionally independent, the Foundation maintains an important collaborative relationship with NSHS. The Foundation supports NSHS historic sites and museums through the Cottonwood Society membership (free entry to all NSHS sites), joint fundraising for the Nebraska History Museum ($4.2M project), and shared educational programming.
• Humanities Nebraska (Curriculum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanities Nebraska provided support for the Pershing Mural curriculum development. Dr. Patrick Jones (UNL) served as advisor and consultant. The curriculum features 18 lesson plans across art, history, language arts, and historic preservation.
• Madeline LaFerla / State of NebraskacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContact for the Great American State Fair Nebraska Pavilion project (National Mall, Washington D.C., June 25 – July 10, 2026). Partnership with the State of Nebraska to showcase the state's heritage, innovation, and leadership at a national event marking America's 250th anniversary.
• Norman Geske, Tom Yates, and Nebraska American Revolution Bicentennial Commissionhistorical/archivedStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal visionary founders of the I-80 Sculpture Project (1973-1976), which placed 8 monumental contemporary sculptures at rest stops along Nebraska's Interstate 80 as part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebration. Budget of $700,000 funded through public and private grants.
• Federal Highway Administrationhistorical/archivedStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the I-80 Sculpture Project (1973-1976), which was officially dedicated in 1976 as part of the U.S. Bicentennial. The FHA recognized the sculptures as nationally and exceptionally significant features of the Federal Interstate Highway System in 2006.
• Nebraska Department of Transportationhistorical/archivedStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the I-80 Sculpture Project to place 8 large-scale sculptures at key rest stops along Nebraska's Interstate 80, creating what is now known as 'Nebraska's 500 Mile Sculpture Garden.'

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• South Dakota State Historical Society: State historical society operating historic sites and educational programming across South Dakota. Comparable in scale and rural-state operating profile, with similar emphasis on landmark preservation and educational outreach.
• Minnesota Historical Society: Statewide historical society operating historic sites, museums, and educational programming across Minnesota. Directly comparable to NSHSF in mission, multi-site visitor model, and statewide nonprofit governance.
• Oregon Historical Society: Statewide historical society stewarding artifacts, operating a museum and educational programs across Oregon. Comparable in operating structure (independent nonprofit with state-affiliated mission) and education/heritage tourism mix.
• Wisconsin Historical Society: Statewide historical society with extensive historic site network, museum, and educational programming. Closely aligned to NSHSF in operating scope (sites + education + collections) and regional Midwest donor base.
• Texas State Historical Association: Statewide nonprofit dedicated to Texas history through publications, education, and heritage programming. Comparable as a state-history-focused private nonprofit with membership, publications, and educational offerings.
• Kansas Historical Society: State historical society operating historic sites, museums, and educational programming across Kansas. Comparable in mission, rural Midwestern operating profile, and emphasis on statewide site networks and educational resources.
• Iowa State Historical Society: Iowa's state historical organization, operating museums, historic sites, and educational programming. Comparable to NSHSF as a neighboring state historical society with a similar statewide collections and education mission.

Broad incumbents

• American Association for State and Local History: National professional association supporting state and local history organizations. Comparable as the industry body that recognized NSHSF's 2014 Award of Merit, and as a peer/incumbent for heritage nonprofit best practices and standards.
• National Trust for Historic Preservation: Largest U.S. nonprofit focused on historic preservation at the national level. Comparable to NSHSF in landmark preservation mission (I-80 Sculpture NHL pursuit overlaps with Trust programs) but operates nationally and at a much larger scale.

Emerging players

• Humanities Nebraska: Nebraska's state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, providing grants, speakers, and cultural programming. Directly comparable as a fellow Nebraska-based heritage grantmaker and co-funding partner on Pershing Mural curriculum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@nshsf1942
• Facebookfacebook.com/NSHSF1942
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nebraska-state-historical-society-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/nshsf1942/#

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation