Heart of Grace was founded in memory of our daughter, Grace. She is the reason for everything this organization does, and the reason we believe no family walking through a hospital hallway with a critically ill child should feel alone in it.
This past year has been one of rebuilding. For a time, Heart of Grace was quiet. We stepped back to reassess and regroup, and to lay a foundation that, when we reactivated, would carry the discipline and accountability the mission deserves. In February, we reconvened our board, adopted the governance policies any serious nonprofit needs, and filed for reinstatement with the State of Nebraska. In March, we launched our first active fundraising campaign in years. Today, our first Family Care Bag sets are packed and ready for the families who will soon receive them.
With gratitude,
Jason & Angela Stearns, Co-Founders
Where We Are
A reconstituted board. In February 2026, Nevaeh Arnett was elected to our Board of Directors. Nevaeh also serves as Communications Lead, bringing voice and energy to our outreach. She joins co-founders Jason and Angela Stearns on the board.
Foundational policies adopted. At the February board meeting, we adopted a Conflict of Interest Policy, a Financial Controls Policy, and additional governance policies covering document retention, whistleblower protection, and related matters. These are not formalities. They are the framework that protects every dollar you give and ensures decisions are made with integrity.
Reinstated with the State of Nebraska. Our reinstatement filing was accepted in March 2026. Heart of Grace is once again a Nebraska nonprofit in good standing, and we are committed to staying that way.
Programs in Motion
Family Care Bag Sets. Each set contains three bags designed around the people most affected when a child faces a long hospital stay: a Family Comfort Bag for parents and caregivers, a Child Comfort Bag for the hospitalized child, and a Sibling Support Bag for the brothers and sisters at home who are often overlooked. Our first sets are assembled and ready. We are actively working to establish a formal partnership with an Omaha-area children’s hospital so these bags can reach families through a trusted referral pathway.
The Comfort in a Bag Campaign. On March 15, we launched our Comfort in a Bag spring campaign with a goal of funding 40 or more Family Care Bag sets for families in 2026. The campaign runs through May 9. Every gift, regardless of size, brings us closer to that goal.
A note on donations: Gifts made through our general donation form support Heart of Grace’s operations and programs broadly. Gifts made specifically to the Comfort in a Bag campaign are restricted to that program and used only for Family Care Bag sets.
By the Numbers: Q1 2026
$795
Raised in Q1
8
Unique Donors
83%
Invested in Program
40+
Families (2026 Goal)
We are a small organization building carefully, and our first-quarter numbers reflect exactly that. Every dollar is accounted for, reconciled monthly against our bank statements, and tracked against a board-approved budget. When someone gives to Heart of Grace, we want them to know exactly where it went.
What’s Ahead
The rest of 2026 is focused on execution. We will close the Comfort in a Bag campaign on May 9 and move immediately into our first bag assembly and delivery cycle. We expect to formalize our hospital partnership in the months ahead, which will open a steady referral pipeline. We will continue building relationships with local businesses for in-kind donations, and we are laying the groundwork to pursue grants once we have documented program outcomes to report.
Read the Full Update
The full Spring 2026 update is available as a printable PDF, including the complete founder letter and closing note.
How You Can Help
Give. Donations can be made securely and fee-free through our donation page.
Partner with us. If your business can donate goods or services that would help families in hardship, reach out at info@theheartofgrace.org.
Share. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and help us reach the families and supporters who need to know we exist.
For Grace
Everything Heart of Grace does traces back to a simple idea: no family standing in a hospital hallway with a critically ill child should feel invisible. We are still a small organization. But we are here, we are active, and we are committed to showing up for the families who need us.
Thank you for being part of this with us.
With love,
Jason & Angela Stearns
Co-Founders, Heart of Grace, Inc.