We are pleased to announce that the Omaha Community Foundation has awarded a total of $845,000 to 84 local nonprofits and neighborhood groups through our five Community Interest Funds.
Funding decisions are made by resident-led committees who understand what investments will be most impactful in addressing the needs of their respective communities. Anyone can donate.
“Resident-led grantmaking programs give everyday residents an opportunity to be decision-makers about programs, services, and activities taking place in their communities,” Program Manager Katrina Adams said. “They are truly focused on building up the applicant organizations so they can be more competitive with other potential donors and funders.”
This model leverages the insights, connections, and lived experiences of residents who serve as both community advocates and responsive stewards of investment dollars. It democratizes philanthropy by engaging and working alongside—rather than being prescriptive and doing unto—a community.
Here are the 2022 Community Interest Funds grant recipients.
African American Unity Fund
The African American Unity Fund committee awarded $225,000 to 17 organizations—7 of which were new applicants or first-time grantees—supporting initiatives for the African American community. Learn more.
- A Mother’s Love • $20,000 for Doula Services Pregnancy/Birthing Support
- Culxr House • $25,000 for Cultural Economics for North-Omaha Creatives
- Eat N’ Talk Africa • $10,000 for Summer African Culinary Experience Internship
- Equal Play: Inspiring Confidence for Girls (EPIC) • $20,000 for Creating Equitable Change through Sport
- Everyday Science and Science Support • $7,500 for Eco-Action-Habitats
- Great Plains Black History Museum • $3,500 for African American History through Street Signs
- House of Afros, Capes & Curls • $10,000 for “The House” Capacity Building, pictured
- Imagine Omaha • $20,000 for Addressing Racial Inequities in Omaha
- J’s Braintrust Consulting Services • $12,000 for Youth Sports Officiating Training
- Midlands African Chamber • $15,000 for Unity, Business, and Technology
- New Life Family Alliance • $6,000 for Adult Refugee Case Management Program
- NOISE • $10,000 for Community Journalism Training
- North Omaha Area Health (NOAH) • $10,000 for Let Good Grow
- O. NE Mentoring Academy • $5,000 for Mentoring Mindfulness
- Pear Tree Performing Arts • $20,000 for Operating Support
- Skatefest Omaha • $21,000 for Operating Support
- Well-Read Women of Omaha • $10,000 for Mission Literacy
Equality Fund
The Equality Fund committee awarded $200,000 to 14 organizations serving the needs of our LGBTQIA2S+ friends, families, and neighbors across the metro area. Learn more.
- ACLU of Nebraska • $15,000 Amplifying LGBTQIA2S+ Voices in Nebraska
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – NE • $10,000 for Show Your Pride (YOUTH) Omaha
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands • $10,500 for Visibility of LGBTQIA2S+ Affirming Mentoring
- BlueBarn Theatre • $15,000 for Big Damn Door Festival/Residencies
- Heartland Pride • $20,000 for Larger Venue to Facilitate Pride
- Inclusive Communities • $8,000 for IncluCity
- Legal Aid of Nebraska • $10,000 for LGBTQIA2S+ Name Change & Training
- Nebraska AIDS Project • $30,000 for STI/PrEP Clinical Services
- Nebraska Writers Collective • $10,000 for Louder Than a Bomb
- Omaha ForUs • $15,000 for First Staff, First Space
- Owlish • $19,000 for Capacity Building + Brand Awareness
- PFLAG Omaha • $7,500 for Omaha Latinx Project
- Planned Parenthood of the Heartland • $15,000 for LGBTQIA+ Care Coordination in Omaha
- University of Nebraska at Omaha • $15,000 for Huespring: Cultivating Collective Power, pictured
Futuro Latino Fund
The Futuro Latino Fund committee awarded $175,000 to 13 organizations serving the Latino community. Out of the 20 proposals, many were returning applicants. Learn more.
- Cinco de Mayo Omaha • $15,000 for General Operating, pictured
- Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands • $15,000 for Bilingual Family Navigator Program
- El Museo Latino • $15,000 for Latino Arts & Culture Programs
- Families in Action • $18,700 for Fortaleciendo el Bienestar Nuestra Comunidad
- Future Kids • $2,300 for Soccer in The Community
- Generation Diamond • $15,000 for Tattoo Removal Program
- Jackson’s Boxing Club • $15,000 for Program Operations
- LIVE Leadership Camp • $10,000 for Overnight Summer Camp for Latina Girls
- Matters On Tomorrow • $20,000 for True Potential Scholarships
- Metro Young Latino Professional Association • $15,000 for MYLPA Scholarship & Professional Development
- Mexican American Historical Society of the Midlands • $7,000 for History Heritage Remembrance Ancestors
- South Omaha Classic OLG Youth Athletics • $12,000 for Spring Lake Baseball Field Renovation
- Victory Boxing Club & Community Center • $15,000 for Youth Programs
Refugee Community Grant Fund
The Refugee Community Grant Fund advisory team awarded $165,000 to 19 refugee-led or refugee-serving organizations. Learn more.
- Big Muddy Urban Farm • $5,500 for New American Urban Farmer $7,000 for
- Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation • Car Seats for Refugees
- Cornerstone Nonprofit Healthcare • $5,000 for Omaha Refugee Communities Health Fairs
- DIBS for Kids • Dual Language Emergent Reader Books $6,500 for
- East African Development Association of Nebraska • $10,000 for Family Stabilization and Operation Support
- Eat N’ Talk Africa • $10,000 for Immigrant Culinary Assimilation Program
- Heartland Integration Center • $5,000 for Refugee Education & Integration Support
- Intercultural Senior Center • $7,000 for Interpretation services for older adults
- Learning For ALL • $5,000 for ESL/ELL Instruction – 150 Afghan Refugees
- Midlands African Chamber • Rising CEOs Pilot Project $10,000 for
- Midlands Latino Community Development Corp. • $10,000 for Financial Stability Program for Refugees
- New Life Family Alliance • $9,000 for Adult Refugee Case Management
- Nyampinga Empowerment • $10,000 for Housing Rights, Podcast, Hygiene Projects
- Omaha Center for Refugees & Immigrants Service Inc. • $5,000 for Family Stabilization
- Refugee Women Rising • $16,000 for Refugee Women DRIVING
- Republic of South Sudan (ROSS) Leaders • $9,000 for Career Pathways Program
- Restoring Dignity • $16,000 for Furniture Bank
- The Talented 10th Group • $10,000 for Frontin’ (a Sudanese “Grease” Remake)
- Youth for Greater Good (YFGG) • $9,000 for After-School Program, pictured
Omaha Neighborhood Grant
The Omaha Neighborhood Grants committee awarded $80,000 to 24 neighborhood groups combining leadership development and community building work around Omaha. Learn more.
- Bemis Park Neighborhood Association • $500 for Archive Project
- Benson Little League • $1,935 for Sandlot Fun Days
- Benson Neighborhood Association • $3,000 for Benson Days 2022
- BFF Omaha • $5,000 for 2022 Summer Street Closures
- City Sprouts • $2,520 for Community Free Fridge & Pantry, pictured
- Community Bike Project Omaha • $3,000 for Community Bike Project Mobile Shop
- Dundee-Memorial Park Association • $3,500 for Dodge St. Subway Camera Improvement
- Free Farm • $5,000 for Free Farm Increased Capacity
- Global Leadership Group Omaha • $5,000 for Team-up To Community Cleanup Challenge
- Gifford Park Neighborhood Association • $4,500 for Science, Engineering and Teamwork
- Hanscom Park Neighborhood Association • $1,055 for Summer music in Hanscom Park
- Hillsborough Homeowners Association • $2,500 for Be Our Guest – Court Resurfacing
- Highland South-Indian Hill Neighborhood Association • $2,500 for Upland Park Bi-Weekly Clean-Up
- inCOMMON Community Development • $4,700 for Walnut Hill Neighborhood Plan
- Joslyn Castle Neighborhood Association • $2,650 for Neighbor Connections
- Levi Carter Sherman Neighborhood Association • $5,000 for Neighborhood Engagement 2022
- Little Bohemia Collective • $2,200 for Neighborhood Pocket Park Revitalization
- MAHZY Project • $4,765 for Rose Hill Outdoor Learning Expansion
- Midtown Neighborhood Alliance • $4,200 for ReTree Midtown 2022
- Nebraska Children’s Home Society • $900 for 2022 Neighborhood Beautification Event
- Plum Nelly East Neighborhood Association • $5,000 for Neighborhood of New Birth
- Quarters Neighborhood Association • $1,500 for Safe Alleys
- South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance • $5,000 for The Italian Mural Project
- Walnut Hill Neighborhood Association • $4,075 for Walnut Hill Community Cans
The next grant cycle will open on January 1, 2023.