The African American Unity Fund distributed $225,000 to 17 organizations—7 of which were new applicants or first-time grantees—supporting initiatives for the African American community in the Omaha metro.
The committee had intentional conversations about funding new, innovative programs and the need to support returning organizations, which continue to grow their work and positively impact the community.
While all the projects selected for funding were fascinating, one that stood out to Program Manager Katrina Adams was A Mother’s Love, which addresses Black maternal health through trained doula services, and pregnancy and birthing support. In addition, other funded requests were for operational support, health career internships, community journalism training, and organizational capacity-building support.
The African American Unity Fund is one of our five Community Interest Funds. Anyone can donate to these resident-led grant programs.
2022 African American Unity Fund Recipients
- A Mother’s Love • $20,000 for Doula Services Pregnancy/Birthing Support
- Culxr House • $25,000 for Cultural Economics for North-Omaha Creatives
- Eat N’ Talk Africa • $10,000 for Summer African Culinary Experience Internship
- Equal Play: Inspiring Confidence for Girls (EPIC) • $20,000 for Creating Equitable Change through Sport
- Everyday Science and Science Support • $7,500 for Eco-Action-Habitats
- Great Plains Black History Museum • $3,500 for African American History through Street Signs
- House of Afros, Capes & Curls • $10,000 for “The House” Capacity Building, pictured
- Imagine Omaha • $20,000 for Addressing Racial Inequities in Omaha
- J’s Braintrust Consulting Services • $12,000 for Youth Sports Officiating Training
- Midlands African Chamber • $15,000 for Unity, Business, and Technology
- New Life Family Alliance • $6,000 for Adult Refugee Case Management Program
- NOISE • $10,000 for Community Journalism Training
- North Omaha Area Health (NOAH) • $10,000 for Let Good Grow
- O. NE Mentoring Academy • $5,000 for Mentoring Mindfulness
- Pear Tree Performing Arts • $20,000 for Operating Support
- SkateFest Omaha • $21,000 for Operating Support
- Well-Read Women of Omaha • $10,000 for Mission Literacy
Grants made through our Community Interest Funds are strategic investments meant to increase access and equity. We ask community members to lead grant processes using 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 decide which projects to fund based on the needs they are seeing in their community.
The next grant cycle will open on January 1, 2023.
