Civic Nebraska

Meet Jessica Vihstadt, one of Civic Nebraska’s first Apiary fellows. 🐝

Originally from Omaha, Jessica is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln student studying political science and criminal justice on a path toward law school. Through her Apiary work, Jessica is focused on helping community members feel more informed, heard, and supported in local civic life.

Her work reminds us that strong civic engagement starts with listening first, making information accessible, and creating spaces where people can see their voices reflected in the decisions that shape their communities.

Watch Jessica’s interview and learn more about her initiative: https://youtu.be/yJ7TNEmyeSE?si=8CG-bEDcPfI_M6gL.

The Apiary is a new cohort supporting community leaders, advocates, and organizers across Nebraska as they grow local civic power and lead community centered initiatives.

Nominations for Year Two of The Apiary will open Sept. 1, 2026: https://civicnebraska.org/apiary-jessica-vihstadt/.

Apiary Cohort Interview - Jessica Vihstadt The Apiary is a cohort of community leaders, advocates, and organiz...

Big congratulations to our very own Kyle Cartwright for receiving the first-ever Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands BBBBSM Alumni Advocate Award!

This award honors former Bigs and Littles who continue to champion the power of mentorship and show up for their communities long after their time in the program.

Kyle’s story is a beautiful full-circle example of that impact. He was a Little during his childhood, became a Big in 2014, and has continued to lead with care, service, and a deep belief in what mentorship can make possible.

We are so proud to celebrate Kyle and grateful for the way he continues to inspire civic leadership, connection, and community. Congratulations, Kyle! 🐝✨

Starting this week, Lincoln voters may begin seeing petition circulators gathering signatures for three proposed city charter amendments.

The proposals would:
• Impose term limits on Lincoln City Council members
• Change Lincoln's municipal election schedule
• Expand voting eligibility in city elections to some residents living outside city limits

At Civic Nebraska, we oppose all three proposals. ❌

We do not support mandatory term limits for local elected officials, which remove experienced representatives regardless of their performance. While we support aligning municipal elections with statewide election cycles, we oppose the proposed implementation timeline because it alters voter-approved terms for current and future officeholders. We also oppose expanding city voting eligibility to residents outside Lincoln's tax base, despite their limited representation through zoning processes.

Petitions are an important part of our democratic process, and voters should always understand the full implications of a proposal before deciding whether to sign.

Read through our breakdown to learn what these petitions would change and why Civic Nebraska opposes them: https://civicnebraska.org/2026-lincoln-charter-amendment-petitions-guide/

To everyone who gave, shared, and supported Civic Nebraska this Give to Lincoln Day: thank you. 💛

This year, 215 donors chose to support our work. Together, you helped raise more than $40,000 to support civic education, civic health, and civic action across Nebraska.

We are grateful for every gift, not only because of what it helps fund, but because of what it represents. Your support is an act of trust. It tells us you believe in a Nebraska where young people can learn to use their voices, neighbors can come together across differences, communities can build power from the ground up, and voters can access clear, nonpartisan information and support.

Give to Lincoln Day may be one day, but your generosity carries this work forward far beyond it.

Thank you for believing in Civic Nebraska and being part of this shared work.

🐝 Happy one-year work anniversary to Sage Shadoan!

Sage brings a thoughtful, data-driven, and community-centered approach to Civic Nebraska’s statewide voting rights outreach work. Sage supervises our part-time canvassers, supports our nonpartisan get-out-the-vote programs and legislative advocacy outreach, and helps coordinate data across Civic Nebraska and our partners.

Outside of Civic Nebraska, Sage is deeply rooted in community. Sage helps with a mutual aid based community garden in Lincoln’s Near South Neighborhood, making fresh produce and gardening knowledge more accessible to neighbors. Sage also enjoys concerts, time outside with friends, horseback riding, and skating with No Coast Roller Derby of Lincoln.

Thank you, Sage, for the care, curiosity, and problem solving you bring to our team. We’re so grateful to celebrate one year with you!

We’re grateful to Woods Charitable Fund, Inc. for this support and honored to be recognized alongside so many incredible Lincoln nonprofits. We also want to celebrate Nebraska Appleseed, our partner in this grant and in serving our communities!

Congratulations and thank you to our partners and all of Lincoln's nonprofits for all they do for our city. Read more about WCF's May grant awards at https://woodscharitable.org/news/