The Omaha Community Foundation’s largest competitive grant program has awarded grants to 17 area organizations. Fund for Omaha grants are awarded in the Spring and Fall each year with the goal of helping nonprofits address community needs and support effective solutions.
The Fall 2011 grants totaled $160,150 and were awarded to the following groups:
- Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts – $8,500 for a Residency Program Assistant
- Blue Barn Theatre – $8,500 for a branded marketing initiative
- Completely Kids – $10,000 for two Family Strengthening Programs (The Liberty Project and The Family Support Center)
- Edmonson Youth Development Outreach Learning Center – $10,000 to fund operations and after-school programs
- Emerging Terrain – $10,000 for a part-time administration assistant
- Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Inc – $8,500 for the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI)
- Heartland Workers Center – $10,000 for the HWC Health and Training Institute
- Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes Foundation – $10,000 to expand the role of the Program Director
- Love’s Jazz and Arts Center – $10,000 for capacity building in the areas of Staff, Operations, Programs and Marketing
- Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. – $8,500 for Rsafe (SM) therapy program for child victims of sexual abuse
- Midwest Trailblazers Youth Program – $10,650 for the Trailblazers’ Financial Aid Program
- Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest – $10,000 for a part-time intake coordinator
- Omaha Area Health Education Center – $8,500 for the AHEC Nurses Academy training program
- Omaha Creative Institute – $8,500 for an enhanced website
- Stephen Center, Inc. – $8,500 for safety and security upgrades at the Emergency Shelter and HERO building
- Volunteers Assisting Seniors – $10,000 for general operating expenses
- Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) – $10,000 for a new database system
The Greatest Need Grant program has evolved as a means for the Omaha Community Foundation to be responsive to the most pressing needs of the nonprofits in the Omaha community. Applicants are invited to identify their organization’s greatest need and propose a plan to address it. Greatest Need Grants fall into one of three broad areas:
- Capacity Building – the improvement of capabilities, knowledge or resources so an agency can achieve its mission more effectively
- General Operating Expenses – purchase of equipment, staff salaries, marketing, etc.
- Programs – new or ongoing programs that respond to a demonstrated community need
Learn more and apply here: Fund for Omaha