The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) honored Jeff M. Chambers with the 2026 Making a Difference Award on April 14. Chambers, Senior Project Director of the Community Services Division at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Center on Children, Families, and Law, was recognized for his outstanding service.
NIFA Executive Director Shannon R. Harner presented the award at the Embassy Suites by Hilton during Innovation Expo, a two-day conference on affordable housing and community development in downtown Lincoln. This year's theme was Partners in Progress. NIFA recognized Chambers for his extraordinary, ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness and ensure it remains rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Under Chambers’ leadership, UNL-CCFL leads the Nebraska Balance of State Continuum of Care and supports the City of Lincoln Continuum of Care, collaborating with agency partners, nonprofits, and Tribes statewide to support individuals experiencing homelessness.
For over 34 years, Chambers has led projects that improve the lives of children and families. Motivated by a strong commitment to helping the helpers, Chambers is dedicated to advancing system improvements and long-term solutions to reduce homelessness and strengthen housing security for all Nebraskans.
UNL-CCFL congratulates Jeff M. Chambers on this well-deserved recognition!
The 2026 Making a Difference Award Presentation
“Each year, NIFA recognizes an individual or organization whose work has made a meaningful impact on housing and community development in Nebraska. The Making a Difference Award honors those whose leadership, commitment, and partnership have helped move housing solutions forward for the benefit of Nebraskans across the state.
This year’s recipient exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and progress that defines this conference. It is my pleasure to announce the 2026 NIFA Making a Difference Award recipient: Jeff Chambers, UNL Center on Children, Families and the Law.
Jeff serves as Senior Project Director at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center on Children, Families, and the Law, where he has spent more than 30 years working to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities across our state. His leadership at the intersection of research, systems, and policy has shaped Nebraska’s approach to housing and homelessness, coordinated entry, youth homelessness response, and Continuum of Care planning.
Jeff has played a key role in securing important public investments in Nebraska’s homelessness response system and strengthening collaboration across federal, state, and local partners. He has also contributed to research in child welfare, rural community well-being, and public systems reform, with published work in respected academic journals.
He continues to serve in statewide leadership roles, including work with the Nebraska Commission on Housing and Homelessness, the Nebraska Strategic Housing Council, and both the Lincoln and Balance of State Continuums of Care. A former U.S. Army Field Artillery officer, Jeff now lives in rural Otoe County, where his family is active in agriculture.
Jeff truly exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and progress that defines this conference. Please join me in congratulating Jeff Chambers, the well-deserving recipient of this year’s Making a Difference Award.”
–Shannon R. Harner, NIFA Executive Director
