Story 22 - Maximizing Leadership Potential: NHRI Legacy Fund

NHRI Leadership Mentoring is proud to be one of the largest and longest-running leadership mentoring programs in history. The path blazing vision and belief in positive psychology held by Drs. William Hall and Donald Clifton have resulted in a 75 year history of developing the next generation of leaders toward positive reinvestment in others. NHRI’s illustrious 75 year history has only been possible due to the generous giving from alumni and friends. Donors have fueled growth, research, and stability for the organization. A heartfelt thank you to each volunteer, staff member and donor that has supported NHRI over the years.

While NHRI has made extensive gains due to donor generosity and a sustained commitment to financial sustainability from our volunteer Board of Directors, NHRI still continues to need annual fundraising efforts to meet critical staff needs. NHRI’s sustainability over the next 75 years rests on the organization’s ability to permanently endow and reinvest in these crucial professional staff positions to avoid the emergency fundraising and near-closing experiences NHRI has faced at multiple moments in our program’s history.

In partnership with the NU Foundation, where a growing number of NHRI alumni call their work home, we established the NHRI Legacy Fund as a vehicle to help ensure your financial impact can be felt for generations of leaders to come. The NHRI Legacy Fund was created to be a flexible and in emergencies—accessible—way to grow and steward donor dollars for maximum impact. Our goal is to raise $3 million in this fund to ensure the Ripple Effect continues for the next 75 years and beyond.

NHRI has empowered young leaders to become difference makers through one-on-one mentoring relationships. Our mission is evident in the investment relationship between Ryan Beckman and Doug Straub. Ryan and Doug were matched as mentor and mentee in PALS project in 1991, and their friendship continues to this day. We shared Ryan and Doug's NHRI story in a video during our 75th anniversary celebration dinner on November 8th.

Thank you to the Beckman and Straub families for their leadership as Legacy Fund Donors.

Today, we invite you to view their story.

Make a Difference today on GivingTuesday, December 3, 2024!

Just in the last 10 years, giving to NHRI supported growth in the organization by 80%. NHRI now serves more than 360 collegiate and 7-12th grade student leaders at any given point in time. 

NHRI giving has supported 13 studies on the short and long-term effects of leadership mentoring in the last 10 years, resulting in 13 publications, over 30 national and international conference presentations, and more than 80 invited talks. Additionally, donor giving in the last 10 years has afforded the opportunity to permanently endow NHRI student staff members.

To discuss the impact you can generate with an outright or a planned gift that is included as part of a will or estate plan, contact Marcia White or Seth Barnes at the University of Nebraska Foundation.

A Special Thank You to our Legacy Fund Donors

as of November 2024

Bob and Nancy Beckman

Ryan and Christy Beckman

Mark and Vicki Davidson 

Greg Dittman

Jack and Meghan Ehrke

Greg and Tezra Greder

John and Jill Manchester

Kimberly Rath

Bob and Cheryl Reynoldson 

Lehn and Mary Straub 

Brett West

Mike and Sarah Wirth