The Community Health Endowment of Lincoln (CHE) is excited to launch the Community Health Ideas Challenge, a new initiative designed to surface bold, locally rooted ideas that can improve health in unexpected and meaningful ways. This challenge invites community members, nonprofits, educators, and public partners to share creative ideas that reflect Lincoln’s lived experience, strengths, and aspirations.
The Ideas Challenge is built on a simple belief: the people closest to the challenges are often closest to the solutions.
What is the Community Health Ideas Challenge?
The Community Health Ideas Challenge is a new funding opportunity that encourages collaboration, innovation, and stewardship. The challenge welcomes early-stage ideas and new approaches that align with CHE’s broad definition of health.
Participants will benefit from:
A simplified, accessible application process
Capacity-building workshop
Coaching and feedback from local partners
Public recognition for finalists
One selected idea will receive a $20,000 grant award to help bring the concept to life. Funds will be provided through a formal CHE grant, along with structure and support to move ideas from vision to action.
Community Partnerships at the Core
Finalists will receive expert coaching from Cause Collective and Firespring, and be evaluated through a community-informed process in partnership with Leadership Lincoln.
“We welcome creative ideas to promote health in Lincoln,” said Kate Bolz, President and CEO of the CHE. “Our goal is to spark new ideas and turn them into meaningful opportunities to create change.”
Who Can Apply?
Ideas must be implemented locally in Lincoln and carried out in partnership with a qualifying nonprofit, educational institution, tribal entity, or governmental organization. Submissions will be evaluated based on:
Health relevance
Actionability
Community impact
Creativity
CHE encourages participation from both established organizations and new voices who may not have previously applied for funding.
What’s Next?
Applications open January 20, 2026. Full eligibility details, timelines, and updates are available at www.healthideaschallenge.org.
CHE looks forward to learning from the community and supporting ideas that help move Lincoln closer to its vision of being the healthiest city in the nation.
