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Results 2024
Your gifts had an incredible impact
Philanthropy isn’t just about giving—it’s about creating the future we want to see. In 2024, the Omaha Community Foundation partnered with donors, organizations, and everyday changemakers to meet urgent needs and invest in long-term solutions.
Together, we distributed $235.8 million across nearly 18,000 grants, supporting work that strengthens our community. Of those dollars, 80% stayed in Douglas and Pottawatomie Counties.
$544 Million
Total gifts received by OCF accounts
$235.8 Million
Total money distributed from OCF accounts
$2.27 Billion
Total assets managed by OCF
Responding in Times of Crisis: Tornado Recovery Fund
In April 2024, devastating tornadoes struck Nebraska. OCF responded quickly by establishing the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund, raising more than $1 million for immediate relief and long-term recovery.
Within a week, we issued our first checks to local nonprofits. As recovery efforts progressed, we helped launch the Tri-County Long-Term Recovery Group to coordinate resources across sectors. Efforts included disaster case management, FEMA education, home repairs, and winterization.
Investing in Community: OCF Grant Programs
Community Interest Funds
Grants made through our Community Interest Funds are strategic investments meant to increase opportunity across the Omaha Metro. 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 240 applicants
- $845,000 awarded through 90 grants
Applications for Community Interest Funds
Community Interest Funds 2024 Report (PDF)
Fund for Omaha
In a highly competitive grant cycle, the Fund for Omaha awarded $458,376 to 28 nonprofits, representing 21% of the 2024 applicants. The demand for operating support and flexible grant funding remains high. We received 136 applications for funding, totaling $3.3 million, up from 110 applications for $2.5 million in 2023.
Among the four priority areas, the highest amount of funding was allocated to Economic Opportunity (41%) and Mental & Behavioral Health (39%).
Fund for Omaha 2024 Report (PDF)
Field of interest Funds
We awarded a total of $131,402 to 14 organizations from three specialized grant funds: Creche Childhood Education Fund, Jetton Charitable Fund, and Richard A. Shaw Fund. Each fund supports specific community programming, driven by the intent of donors who established it.
Omaha Venture Group
Since 2002, OVG has granted more than $700,000 to 174 nonprofits. In 2024, a total of $29,000 was awarded across four focus areas:
- Arts & Culture: Youth for Greater Good – $6,790
- Education & Workforce: It’s All About Employment – $7,680
- Health: North Omaha Community Partnership – $8,000
- Civic Engagement & Safety: Radio Talking Book Service – $6,530
City of Omaha ARPA Community Grant Program
To help address the lasting impacts of Covid-19, the City of Omaha ARPA Community Grants Program was created to support nonprofits providing essential community services. Funded by the City of Omaha through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered by the Omaha Community Foundation, the program ensured that resources were distributed equitably and strategically to meet pressing needs.
In total, $9.6 million was awarded to 35 organizations, reaching more than 24,500 individuals across 30 ZIP Codes with a focus on communities within Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) disproportionately affected by the pandemic. These investments not only addressed immediate service gaps but also strengthened nonprofit infrastructure and positioned organizations for long-term sustainability.
By the Numbers
- $9.6M awarded to 35 nonprofits
- 24,567 individuals served through ARPA-funded programs
- 80% of individuals served identified as people of color
- 60% were under the age of 18
- 30 ZIP Codes reached with a focus on QCTs
- 25% average growth in nonprofit operating budgets from 2022 to 2024
- 14% of total operating costs offset by ARPA funds
New Supporting Organization
Launched in 2024, the Omaha Pathways Community HUB is a care coordination network of Community Health Workers dedicated to improving birth outcomes by connecting individuals and families to the resources they need. In the past year, the HUB has seen remarkable progress: growing a dedicated team of CHWs, strengthening partnerships, and reaching dozens of families with life-changing support.
- 103 pregnant people served, meaning at least one need was addressed.
- 451 face-to-face visits where participants discussed needs, accessed resources, and set goals.
- 336 health education lessons completed, showing participants’ commitment to health and wellness.
- 341 Pathways completed across 14 areas of need with outcomes achieved.
Donor Profile
For Sally Kaplan and her late husband, Gary, philanthropy was a shared calling. Both served as presidents of Temple Israel and planned their charitable giving together, supporting various causes that resonated with their values.
After Gary’s passing, Sally continued their legacy with the help of the Omaha Community Foundation. Through a Donor Advised Fund, she found not only ease in giving but also a trusted partner in Donor Services Advisor Nathan Morgan.
Together, they navigate opportunities to align Sally’s giving with her lifelong commitment to social justice. From supporting the Tri-Faith Initiative to responding to humanitarian needs across the globe, Sally’s philanthropy reflects a deep sense of responsibility and compassion.
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.
Corporate Philanthropy
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at the Omaha Community Foundation is an easy tool for companies of any size to use for their charitable giving. The fund helps corporate leaders organize the company’s giving in a convenient, 501(c)(3)-qualified structure, avoiding the time and expense required to establish and maintain a separate charitable entity. Many companies appreciate OCF’s infrastructure, reporting practices, and compliance protocols to ensure that all tax laws and other IRS requirements are met.
The company can contribute to the corporate DAF each year, then organize donations to a single or wide range of nonprofits through a single source of funds. OCF can work with company leaders to develop a giving plan that supports the company’s goals and culture. OCF can also help facilitate employee matching gift programs.
Improving the Fundholder Experience
In 2024, we launched a new online portal to enhance the donor experience. The mobile-friendly platform makes it easier to:
- Recommend grants
- Contribute to funds
- Access statements and tax receipts
- Receive timely updates
Expanding Leadership & Capacity
We continued investing in people and partnerships that drive impact:
- 10 nonprofit leaders completed our Nonprofit Capacity Building Program..
- 15 professionals earned their Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation, expanding local philanthropic expertise.
- 11 new staff members joined the foundation, and we welcomed four new board members.
- Vanessa Denney was promoted to Vice President of Philanthropic & Donor Services, and three OCF staff members were selected for leadership programs.
- Bonus: OCF landed a spot on the Omaha Edition of Monopoly.