At Bison Inc., operational excellence in manufacturing extends beyond the factory floor. For decades, the company and its employees have built a culture centered on active civic involvement, youth mentorship, and direct community support across Lincoln, Nebraska, and the surrounding region.
Driven by executive leadership and grassroots employee initiative, Bison’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts deliver measurable, direct-impact support to local non-profits, school districts, and community programs.
Direct Action in Food Security: Supporting The Gathering Place
Community impact at Bison often starts with a single employee identifying a local need. During a volunteer shift at The Gathering Place—a Lincoln soup kitchen that serves over 27,000 hot, nourishing evening meals annually to food-insecure individuals and families—Bison Product Specialist Kelly Bouwens noticed an opportunity to make an immediate difference.
When a young visitor asked for hot chocolate during a winter meal service, facility staff explained that supplies were unavailable due to food bank limitations. Bouwens personally purchased hot chocolate, warm blankets, gloves, and handwarmers for guests the very next day. Recognizing the ongoing need, Bison CEO Nick Cusick worked with Bouwens to expand Bison's financial and volunteer support for the organization.
Today, multiple Bison team members regularly volunteer to prepare and serve evening meals at the facility, helping provide comfort and stability to Lincoln residents in need.
Investing in Youth Mentorship and Future Leaders
Bison’s commitment to education and youth development is reflected in its long-standing partnerships with Junior Achievement and the TeamMates Mentoring Program.
Junior Achievement: Classroom Impact by the Numbers
Since 2015, Bison employees have stepped into local public schools to teach financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship skills.
- 76 Classrooms Taught: Bringing real-world business experience directly to elementary and middle school students.
- 1,902 Students Reached: Equipping youth with foundational economic and career concepts.
- 10,000+ Volunteer Hours: Representing over 430 cumulative days of direct classroom instruction contributed by Bison personnel.
TeamMates Mentoring Program
Through the TeamMates initiative, Bison staff members are paired with local students for one-on-one weekly mentoring throughout their academic careers.
"It’s been incredibly rewarding to mentor the same student over several years and watch him grow into a confident young adult," shares Dale Sedlak, Production Manager at Bison.
High-Participation Civic Giving: United Way Leadership
Beyond hands-on volunteering, Bison consistently ranks among the top companies in the region for employee participation in the annual United Way campaign.
The company's culture of giving is fostered from the top down, encouraging team members to support local health, human services, and educational initiatives.
"I appreciate working for a company where executive leadership is so genuinely invested in community service," notes Teresa Rathje, a long-time Bison employee. "Giving back is a value I’ve passed down to my own children, and seeing it prioritized at work reinforces why Bison is a special place to build a career."
Building a Stronger Community Together
Whether engineering safety-first athletic equipment or serving meals at a local shelter, Bison Inc. remains dedicated to strengthening the community it calls home.
To learn more about Bison’s corporate culture, community initiatives, or career opportunities in Lincoln, Nebraska, visit bisoninc.com.