On June 21, 20 nonprofits from around the community were awarded a total of $300,000 from the Omaha Community Foundation’s African American Unity Fund (AAUF) and Futuro Latino Fund (FLF). Grantees, supporters, and friends gathered at the Apollon Art Space in South Omaha to receive their awards, network, and celebrate.
Carolina Quezada, Chair of the FLF Grant Committee and Tahnee Markussen, Chair of the AAUF Grant Committee presented awards to the nonprofits. Funded projects ranged in size and scope, from a $29,100 grant to the Omaha Freedom Writers Foundation to support a student trip to the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, to a $5,000 grant to the Metro Young Latino Professionals Association to help fund capacity building and young professional development programs. A full list of funded nonprofits and programs is below.
The mission of the African American Unity Fund is to involve more African Americans in philanthropy and to provide support to emerging nonprofits that improve the quality of life for African Americans in Omaha. The Futuro Latino Fund provides philanthropic support to improve the quality of life of Latino families and communities in Omaha.
The two funds award grants to innovative programs, initiatives, services or other ideas within several focus areas that serve the African American and Latino communities in Nebraska. Grant recipients are determined by a committee of professionals and community leaders that reflect the populations served by each fund.
Arts
- Nebraska Sigma Zeta Education Foundation — $14,300, I AM Dance Academy
- Salem Baptist Church — $20,000, “A Work at the Wheel” music festival and education program
Care and Support Services
- A Time to Heal — $6,000, “A Time to Heal” videos
- Carole’s House of Hope — $29,100, Capacity Building
Community Building
- Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim — $30,000, Capacity Building
- Deer Park Neighborhood Association — $12,000, Neighborhood Outreach project
- Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation — $10,000, Capacity Building
- More Than Just a Village Academy — $15,000, Capacity Building
- Victory Boxing Club — $20,000, Capacity Building
Culture, History, and Education
- Omaha Branch of the NAACP — $7,500, Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) program
- Omaha Freedom Writers Foundation — $29,100, Student trip to the opening of National Museum of African American History
Health and Wellness
- City Sprouts South — $19,000, Health and Wellness video project
- Yo Soy Salud y Vida — $10,000, Get Fit Challenge
Professional and Leadership Development
- Metro Young Latino Professionals Association — $5,000, Capacity Building & Young Professional Development
- Urban League of Nebraska Young Professionals — $5,000, Capacity Building & Young Professional Development
- South Omaha Community Care Council, Inc. — $15,000, Grassroots Leadership Development
Youth
- Matters On Tomorrow — $13,000, True Potential scholarship
- Omaha Nitro Futbol Club, Inc. — $5,000, Soccer program and scholarship assistance
- Simple Foundation — $30,000, K.I.C.K. Soccer Academy program
- Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary — $5,000, LIVE leadership camp