Twenty-five years ago, Diane Darrington joined the Omaha Community Foundation as part of the accounting department. Today, as Grants Manager, she continues to be the force behind one of the most critical parts of our operations, processing grants with precision, care, and a deep understanding of what those dollars mean for the community.
When Diane started in January 2001, things looked very different. The office was located at 17th and Farnam. The staff was small, with fewer than 15 people. Everything was done manually, from grant check printing to nonprofit verification. Paper files filled cabinets, and the grant processing volume was a fraction of what it is today. She even recalls physically delivering 75 shares of Berkshire Hathaway stock to a broker across town, stock that was tracked on a chalkboard just down the hall.
“I sold all the stock back then. Paper stock. Literal paper,” Diane recalls, laughing. “We were still filing everything. I am very grateful for the major updates like going paperless, using the internet, and so forth.”
From Manual Checks to 800 Grants a Day
Diane has seen OCF’s grant volume and impact grow dramatically. What used to be a busy day of 10 to 12 grants has become 70 to 100 grants on a slow day, with peak giving season reaching nearly 800 grants processed in one day. And she doesn’t flinch at that number. Diane has built systems that make this kind of volume possible by improving internal processes, automating steps, and helping implement technology that saves time and reduces error.
“There’s a lot of trial and error with these systems,” she says. “But you have to roll with it or you’re not going to make it. My number one StrengthsFinder trait is Adaptability.”
According to CFO Melisa Sunde, Diane’s adaptability has made all the difference.
“She dove in on the new system, which could have been a challenge for someone who used the same process for over 20 years, but she figured it out and made it work. There was zero resistance to switching systems or embracing change.”
Melisa adds, “Diane might have a no-nonsense vibe at first, but anyone who’s worked with her knows she has a huge heart and is always the first to offer help. She brings humor, honesty, and a deep sense of care to everything she does. You’ll never get fluff from Diane, but you will get someone who shows up, rolls with change, and gets the job done right. She makes sure we are in compliance, she knows where our fundholders give, and she’s processed nearly 250,000 grants totaling $2.6 billion during her time at OCF.”
Behind the Numbers, a Heart for the Mission
For Diane, it has never just been about the numbers.
“I see a lot of money go out the door,” she says. “But the stories we hear about why that money is being donated, that’s the important part.”
She has witnessed the evolution of every part of the organization, from paper check logs to integrated platforms, from cold-call fundraising to community-informed strategic giving, from a handful of program staff to a full-scale Community Investment department. And through all of it, Diane has been steady, responsive, and always one step ahead.
She is also proud of OCF’s expanding reach across the region, including Southwest Iowa, where she lives.
“It’s been nice to see our Southwest Iowa work grow. I’ve always supported the mission, but now I get to see grants go to the communities where I live,too.”
A Legacy of Service
Outside of work, Diane is a devoted aunt who finds joy spending time with her niece, nephew, great-niece, and great-nephew. And inside OCF, she is a respected colleague known for her humor, her reliability, and her incredible institutional knowledge.
What’s kept her here for 25 years?
“I wouldn’t still be here if I didn’t like my job and didn’t believe in what we’re doing,” she says.
That belief, backed by action day after day, has shaped a legacy of trust and consistency. Diane’s fingerprints are on hundreds of thousands of grants, representing billions of dollars invested into the community. She may not be on the frontlines of programming or development, but her work has enabled so much of what OCF is able to do.
Thank You, Diane
Diane Darrington’s career is a masterclass in quiet leadership, operational excellence, and mission-driven service. She has met 25 years of change with openness, curiosity, and an unmatched ability to keep everything moving smoothly behind the scenes.
Thank you, Diane, for your sharp eye, generous heart, and unwavering commitment to helping this Foundation do its best work. We are honored to celebrate this milestone with you.