Results

Ensuring your gifts make an impact

As the Omaha metro grows, so do the needs of the people who call this area home. The spirit of giving is growing right along with it! Thanks to the generosity of local fundholders and community partners, 2023 was a record year for the Omaha Community Foundation. We provided almost $285 million to nonprofits and issued more than 17,000 grants. Of those dollars:

71% stayed in Douglas and Pottawatomie Counties
25% went to education
15% went to arts and culture
13% went to human services

Donor Profiles

Buffie Sommers

After a life dedicated to teaching special education, Buffie Somers established a Field of Interest Fund at the Omaha Community Foundation to ensure her work continues long after she’s gone.

Buffie worked with the OCF team to establish the fund, which will provide grants to nonprofits that provide experiential learning. This will allow children, specifically children with disadvantages or special needs, to experience arts and nature programs.

» Learn more about her life of giving and her tailored legacy giving plan.

Jim & Susan Tracy

Jim and Susan Tracy moved to Nebraska in 1993, and they immediately dove into serving their new community. They were pleasantly surprised to learn that the Omaha Community Foundation could help them support their local giving.

“I thought the Foundation was for multi-million dollar fundholders and large family foundations. It wasn’t until I met a former executive director who explained to me that the Omaha Community Foundation was for everyone,” Jim said.

» Read more about how the Tracy’s partner with OCF to support their church and what the future of their charitable giving looks like.

Types of Funds

Charitable Checkbook®

A Charitable Checkbook®  is an easy entry point with an initial contribution of $1,000 or more. Once you establish your fund, you can use the money to support the nonprofit organizations and causes most important to you. There are no annual fees or charges with a Charitable Checkbook®.

Donor Advised Fund

A Donor Advised Fund  is a charitable investment account that allows donors to contribute to the fund and then recommend grants to eligible nonprofits, civic initiatives and community projects. You will immediately be eligible for a tax deduction when you put money into your fund, then can support the organizations you support over time. The minimum donation to establish a Donor Advised Fund is $25,000. Money donated into a Donor Advised Fund is invested, meaning your contribution can grow – increasing your impact in the community.

Field of Interest Fund

A Field of Interest Fund supports a specific area of interest. The cause can be as broad or as narrow as you choose. OCF evaluates organizations working in the cause area and makes grants to the organizations that best fit your interest. This is a great way to leave a lasting legacy in your community or to honor someone you love. A Field of Interest Fund requires a $100,000 donation.

Designated Fund

This fund is a personalized fund set aside for a specific purpose or activity. You can support a specific organization with a single gift or recurring grants.

Omaha Pathways Community HUB

In 2023, OCF launched the Omaha Pathways Community HUB. Our new support organization has begun working with partners to serve local people through their pregnancies. Following the national model, the HUB contracts with agencies that employ Community Health Workers — trained frontline public health workers who have a deep understanding of and connection to the community — who identify at-risk individuals and connect them with medical, behavioral, and social services. The initial phase of the program will focus on addressing health disparities among pregnant individuals at greatest risk for poor birth outcomes.

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OCF Programs

Community Interest Funds

Grants made through our Community Interest Funds are strategic investments meant to increase access, equity, and opportunity. We engage everyday community members to lead grant processes, and we rely on them to exercise and apply their own power and understanding.

Each committee is made up of residents who come from or identify with the population being served. They review proposals, and based on the needs they are seeing in their communities, they decide which projects will have the greatest impact. 

$3.8 million requested from 224 applicants
$845,000 awarded through 92 grants

Applications for Community Interest Funds

Issaka

Osuman Issaka currently leads the committee for the Refugee Community Grant Fund, one of five resident-led grant CIF programs. He continues his involvement because the committee’s efforts and the grant program provide visibility and support for an underrepresented, underserved population.

“During decision-making, I can offer insights into the needs and challenges of the community we serve, particularly focusing on supporting small investment, high impact organizations and projects,” Osuman said.

Community Interest Funds 2023 Impact Report (PDF)

Fund for Omaha

In 2023, we received 110 applications for funding from the Fund for Omaha, totaling $2.5 million in requests and were able to grant $402,000 to 18 nonprofits promoting racial equity and social justice.

Fund for Omaha 2023 Impact Report (PDF)

Field of interest Funds

The Omaha Community Foundation awarded a total of $133,277 to 16 local organizations from three specialized grant funds: Creche Childhood Education Fund, Jetton Charitable Fund, and Richard A. Shaw Fund. Each fund supports specific programming in the community-driven by the intent of donors who established the funds.

ARPA’s Impact

Covid-19 disproportionately impacted historically disadvantaged communities, compounding health and economic disparities. To help alleviate hardships and equity gaps exacerbated by the pandemic, the City of Omaha allocated $15 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for community grants. Here are some of those stories.

Honors & Awards

Foundation of the Year

In November, OCF was named the 2023 Outstanding Community Foundation at the National Philanthropy Day Awards from AFP Nebraska.

Business Excellence Award in Philanthropy

OCF received a 2023 Business Excellence Award in Philanthropy from the Omaha Chamber of Commerce. The award is part of the Chamber’s annual tradition recognizing organizations in four categories: Leadership, Innovation, Philanthropy, and Sustained Excellence.

“Thriving communities rely on businesses to drive innovation, generate employment opportunities, and foster social connections. Attributing success to hard work and dedication, we proudly recognize the… organizations being honored as more than just excellent – they are truly exceptional,” said Tim Burke, interim president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber.

Meet Our Team

More than specialists in their fields, the people who work at the Omaha Community Foundation are active participants in our community—as parents, volunteers, neighbors, and enthusiasts of all sorts. As philanthropic professionals, they are devoted to learning more about our neighborhoods, activities, needs, and organizations so they can better serve the donors and nonprofits who rely on us.

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