OS
Nonprofit profile

Operation Santa Claus

Unclaimed
Lincoln, NEEIN 237167477
Food & Basic Needs No active projects

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Overview

About Operation Santa Claus

Operation Santa Claus gives children in Lincoln a brand new toy or gift of their choice for Christmas. That simple idea matters: it lets a child pick something that feels like theirs, not just something wrapped in holiday paper. The program serves children in families and foster homes, with help from local social service agencies, the National Guard, and local merchants so gifts are there on Christmas morning.

What sets Operation Santa Claus apart is the choice. Instead of sending out a one-size-fits-all gift, it centers each child as an individual and gives them a say in what arrives on Christmas morning. That personal touch is the whole point.

What they do

Programs

The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.

Program 01

Operation Santa Claus Christmas toy program

Provides each eligible child with one brand new toy or gift of choice for Christmas morning.

The story

About this work

Mission

Operation Santa Claus provides an individual toy of choice for less fortunate kids in Lincoln for Christmas.

Who they serve

Less fortunate children in Lincoln, ages 1-13, or up to 16 if mentally or physically challenged.

Their impact

  • Served about 200 orphans in its first year in 1948.

How your donation helps

  • One brand new toy or gift of choice for an eligible child at Christmas
  • Monetary support for the annual Christmas present program
For the community

Need help?

How someone in need can access Operation Santa Claus’s services.

Eligible children in Lincoln, ages 1-13, or up to 16 if mentally or physically challenged, are served through local social service agencies. The program provides one brand new toy or gift of choice for Christmas morning.

Funders

Grant support

$40,979 from 1 funder · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).

  • Lincoln Community Foundation Inc — $9,617 (2024)
    General support
  • Lincoln Community Foundation Inc — $7,361 (2023)
    General purposes
  • LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC — $11,172 (2022)
    GENERAL SUPPORT
  • LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC — $6,269 (2021)
    GENERAL SUPPORT
  • LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC — $6,560 (2020)
    GENERAL SUPPORT
Beyond donations

Ways to help

Concrete needs and volunteer roles Operation Santa Claus has shared.

Current needs

  • Monetary donations
Credibility

Recognition & press

Collaborators

Partners & funders

Local social service agenciesNational GuardLocal merchants
From the newsroom

In the news

Articles featuring Operation Santa Claus from the Love What You Fund newsroom.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.

Who can receive help from Operation Santa Claus?

Children in Lincoln ages 1-13, or up to 16 if mentally or physically challenged, are served through local social service agencies.

What does the program provide?

It provides one brand new toy or gift of choice for Christmas morning.

How long has Operation Santa Claus been running?

It began in 1948 and has continued annually since then.

Who helps deliver the program?

The program works with local social service agencies, the National Guard, and local merchants.

Discover

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Donations are processed securely by Every.org, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity that acts as the merchant of record — handling tax receipts and 50-state solicitation compliance before disbursing funds to this nonprofit.