Earth Day 2023’s global theme is to act boldly, innovate broadly, and implement equitably. To honor that theme, we are highlighting local community organizations and projects that focus on sustainability and environmentalism, bringing innovative projects to neighborhoods that create a sense of community pride and environmental awareness.
Below are local nonprofits that received funding for environmental education projects through our Community Interest Funds in 2022. We will highlight more throughout the month of April.
Protecting the planet starts by learning in and about your own neighborhood.
Yates Illuminates was created to activate the former Yates Elementary School at 32nd and Davenport for the entire Gifford Park community. Known for its commitment to new Americans, refugees from around the city are familiar with the historic offerings of Yates. The Gifford Park Neighborhood Association also maximizes the Yates campus beyond the school’s boundaries with a children’s imagination playground, wellness center, culturally oriented grocers, and community gardens. Last year, our resident-led grantmaking committee supported this neighborhood by awarding $4,500 for a summer program where young people built and raced solar-powered fuel cell model cars, mouse trap cars, and robots. They also learned how to use solar energy to produce steam and power an engine.
Free Farm started in 2017 with four organizer-gardeners, one garden, and one free farm stand as an effort to address food insecurity by growing food together for each other. Now, they collectively farm multiple lots across east Omaha and hold weekly Free Farm Stands where neighbors can give and receive fresh, local produce for free. With their $5,000 grant awarded from our resident-led grantmaking committee, they were able to increase capacity, add a new free produce stand, and ultimately grow nearly 5,000 pounds of food for people in east Omaha.
The MAHZY Project was born in 2022 and began with a community garden. It has grown to bring outdoor spaces, experiences, and childlike wonder to everyday life. Last year, our resident-led grantmaking committee supported this new vision with nearly $5,000 to bring an outdoor community garden area to the Rose Hill neighborhood at 56th Street and NW Radial Highway. This included a raised garden, a butterfly garden, and community events and programming for families.
Big Muddy Urban Farm – New American Urban Farmer
Big Muddy Urban Farm was awarded $7,000 for a program that supports a group of new American and refugee farmers in a collaborative farming format that develops community connections, entrepreneurial skills, and agricultural practice. Vegetables grown are varieties participants could easily find in their country of origin but not in local grocery stores. This program helps supply produce to refugee outlets, increasing access to fresh, culturally appropriate food.
*The Omaha Neighborhood Grants program supports community leaders doing impactful work in their own neighborhoods; it’s about supporting residents who are making a difference right where they live and empowering neighbors to work together. Through practicing and growing active citizenship, we are building communities that reflect the vibrancy of Omaha.