For Maggie and Mike McMeekin, giving back isn’t just a practice—it’s a way of life. Through their professional careers, leadership in nonprofits, hands-on volunteering, and financial generosity, the McMeekins have spent decades making a tangible impact in Omaha. As longtime fundholders with the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF), they have found a simple and effective way to support the causes they care about while staying deeply connected to the community.
Maggie and Mike’s dedication to community service is rooted in their upbringing. Maggie, raised in Falls City, Nebraska, in a family of 12, recalls her parents as generous, community-minded individuals who set an early example of what it meant to give. Mike, originally from Columbus, Nebraska, carried similar values into his career as a civil engineer and later as the president of a local firm.
“Being part of a community means seeing its needs and stepping up where you can,” Maggie shares. “That’s what my parents did, and that’s what we’ve tried to do.”
Business as a Force for Good
During his tenure in the engineering industry, Mike became acutely aware of the ethical responsibility businesses have to support the communities they serve. “There’s this idea that a company’s only role is to generate profit,” Mike says. “But businesses have so much more to offer. If we don’t support the nonprofits and organizations doing vital work, who will?”
As a leader in the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Local Business Ethics Alliance, Mike championed the idea that companies should invest in their communities—not just financially, but through mentorship, pro bono services, and strategic partnerships. His firm provided free engineering services for water projects in South Sudan through Aqua Africa, demonstrating that businesses can and should use their expertise to create meaningful change.
Hands-On Engagement
Maggie’s decades-long career as an educator opened her eyes to the challenges many students face, particularly immigrant and refugee youth. After retiring, she found opportunities to continue making a difference, starting with tutoring students on college essays at Omaha South High School.
“That experience changed everything,” Maggie says. “It opened my eyes to the incredible resilience of these students and the barriers they face.”
That passion led both Maggie and Mike to deeper involvement in immigrant support organizations. Mike now serves on the board of the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA), a nonprofit working with immigrants and refugees, while Maggie remains an active advocate and mentor.
Beyond this, the couple has been involved in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program, guiding local students interested in architecture and engineering, and Omaha by Design, which fosters thoughtful urban planning.
The Joy of Service
One of the most striking things about Maggie and Mike is the sheer joy they express when talking about their work in the community. Their passion for service is infectious, and it’s clear that giving back is not just a responsibility but a source of deep fulfillment for them.
“We get so much more than we give,” Maggie says with a warm smile. “Seeing the impact on someone’s life—whether it’s a student getting a scholarship, a family finding support, or a neighborhood becoming stronger—brings us immeasurable joy.”
Their energy exudes a spirit of joyful service. Whether they are sitting across from a student editing an essay, working with fellow board members to strategize solutions, or making a gift through their OCF fund, they do so with kindness, gratitude, and an unwavering belief in the power of community.
The Power of Collective Giving
With such a broad scope of interests and commitments, the McMeekins appreciate the ease and flexibility that their OCF fund provides. “A friend told us about OCF’s Charitable Checkbook, and it was a game-changer,” Maggie says. “We can make one lump-sum contribution and distribute funds throughout the year as needs arise.”
Mike sees OCF as a valuable resource not just for managing donations, but for learning about Omaha’s evolving needs. “The Foundation offers insight into local issues and organizations we might not have known about otherwise. It helps us give more effectively.”
The McMeekins’ philosophy of philanthropy aligns closely with OCF’s mission: to connect donors with causes that create lasting impact. They emphasize that philanthropy isn’t just about financial contributions—it’s about relationships.
“When you give both time and treasure,” Mike explains, “you develop relationships with the people doing the work and the people benefiting from it. That makes giving more meaningful.”
In Omaha, where philanthropy is deeply ingrained in the culture—from Warren Buffett’s legacy to the giving spirit of local families—the McMeekins feel fortunate to be part of a community that prioritizes generosity. “This city has set a standard,” Maggie says. “You don’t need to chase a bigger and bigger lifestyle. A part of your wealth—whatever that may be—should always go back to the community.”
Keep It Simple
As longtime donors, volunteers, and advocates, Maggie and Mike hope to inspire others to find ways to contribute, whether through professional expertise, mentorship, or financial support. They encourage those new to philanthropy to explore OCF’s resources, which simplify the process and help donors maximize their impact.
“We want people to know that giving doesn’t have to be complicated,” Maggie says. “With OCF, it’s easy, accessible, and, most importantly, impactful.”
The McMeekins exemplify what it means to be truly community-minded. Through their work, leadership, and generosity, they embody the spirit of growing good, together.