The Omaha Community Foundation awarded $458,376 in Fund for Omaha grants to 28 local nonprofits focused on advancing racial equity and social justice.

The demand for flexible grant funding remains high. This year, the Foundation received over $3.3 million in requests across 136 applications. These grants address community priorities such as economic opportunity, maternal health and birth outcomes, housing and neighborhoods, and mental and behavioral health. Applicants can request up to $25,000 for general operating support.

Since its inception 36 years ago, the Fund for Omaha has granted more than $10 million to local nonprofits, making it the largest grant program funded by the Foundation in partnership with local philanthropists.

2024 Grant Recipients

Economic Opportunity
  • 100 Black Men of Omaha, Inc.: Promotes youth development in Omaha’s most underserved areas, helping young people become “respectful, responsible, and ready to lead.” ($25,000)
  • Code Black Tech: Breaks down barriers for people of color to access tech careers through training, mentorship, and job placement, contributing to a more diverse workforce. ($10,000)
  • Culxr House Omaha: Provides a vibrant space for underrepresented voices, fostering economic opportunity, artistic expression, and cultural exchange through diverse programming and initiatives. ($15,000)
  • Heartland Workers Center: Enhances self-sufficiency and growth of immigrant and underrepresented communities, providing leadership training, advocacy, and access to essential services. ($25,000)
  • Learning for ALL: Offers free literacy and life skills instruction for low-income residents, refugees, and immigrants, empowering them to achieve personal and professional goals. ($15,000)
  • Midlands African Chamber: Strengthens the business ecosystem for African and African American entrepreneurs, promoting equity and economic growth in the Midlands region. ($25,000)
  • No More Empty Pots: Addresses food insecurity while fostering self-sufficiency through education, workforce training, and local business development. ($25,000)
  • Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty: Equips under-resourced families with tools to overcome barriers to success, fostering economic stability and self-advocacy. ($20,000)
  • Ooh De Lally: Trains individuals transitioning out of incarceration for careers in the restaurant industry, providing wrap-around services like transportation and housing. ($10,000)
  • RISE Academy: Breaks generational cycles of incarceration with in-prison programs and post-release support focused on family, employment, and reentry services. ($20,000)
Maternal Health & Birth Outcomes
  • A Mother’s Love, Inc.: Supports underserved birthing communities with holistic maternal health services, improving birth outcomes through education and access to necessary resources. ($20,000)
  • African Immigrant Family Services: Supports African immigrant and refugee families with culturally specific services, including youth development, mental health, and specialized English programs. ($10,000)
  • Refugee Women Rising: Provides culturally appropriate programs that empower refugee women to build sustainable lives, focusing on practical skills and holistic wellness. ($14,000)
Housing & Neighborhoods
  • Black & Pink National: Advocates for LGBTQ+ and systems-impacted individuals through prison abolition and holistic support for those impacted by incarceration. ($10,000)
  • Latino Economic Development Council: Promotes economic growth and cultural preservation in Omaha’s Latino community, supporting businesses and local initiatives. ($14,376)
  • Project Houseworks: Enhances the lives of low-income homeowners with no-cost home repairs, contributing to safer, healthier communities. ($10,000)
  • The Union for Contemporary Art: Strengthens the cultural and social fabric of North Omaha by using the arts as a vehicle for positive social change through exhibitions, performances, and community engagement. ($10,000)
Mental & Behavioral Health
  • Bluebird Cultural Initiative: Empowers Native American communities and educates broader audiences about Indigenous cultural practices, traditions, and history to inspire future generations. ($20,000)
  • Carole’s House of Hope: Addresses the mental health needs of homeless mothers and young children, providing transitional housing and holistic services to promote self-sufficiency and independence. ($20,000)
  • Familias en Accion: Provides Latina women-led programs like community gardening, mobile clinics, and tutoring, fostering wellness and community leadership. ($10,000)
  • Girls Inc. of Omaha: Inspires young women to be strong, smart, and bold through programs that promote leadership, self-advocacy, and empowerment. ($20,000)
  • Healing Ribbons: Promotes cultural revitalization and healing among Indigenous women and their families, offering safe spaces for reconnecting with heritage and breaking cycles of trauma. ($10,000)
  • I Be Black Girl: Creates a bold, innovative, and culturally responsive environment to advance reproductive justice and autonomy for Black women, femmes, and girls. ($15,000)
  • Intercultural Senior Center: Welcomes seniors from around the world with culturally appropriate services and programs to enhance their dignity and well-being. ($20,000)
  • MAYS Foundation: Supports youth with challenging backgrounds by uncovering hidden skills and talents through community programming, enabling them to become productive members of their communities ($10,000).
  • Q.U.E.E.N.S. Butterfly House: Offers housing, job readiness, and personal development programs to support the holistic transformation of formerly incarcerated women. ($25,000)
  • The Collective for Hope: Provides free, inclusive grief support to help individuals and families navigate loss, contributing to a healthier and more compassionate community. ($10,000)
  • The Wellbeing Partners: Builds well-being into communities and organizations through education, advocacy, and collaboration, fostering healthy workplace cultures. ($20,000)

These organizations demonstrate the power of collaboration, advocacy, and innovation to create lasting change in our community. Applications are accepted annually July 1 to August 1. Learn more here.