Fund for Omaha, the Omaha Community Foundation’s largest grant program, awarded $525,000 to 23 local nonprofits.
In 2020, we shifted the focus of the Fund for Omaha to explicitly support nonprofit organizations promoting racial equity and social justice, particularly for those who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
This year, we maintained this commitment and centered on BIPOC communities.
2021 Grant Recipients
- 100 Black Men of Omaha: $22,500 for Mentoring Across a Lifetime
- ACLU of Nebraska: $24,500 for A Smart Justice Campaign for Omaha & Douglas County
- Anastasis Theatre Co.: $5,000 for More Than a Number
- Bluebird Cultural Initiative: $25,000 for Project REVIVE: Rebuilding & Empowering Voices with Indigenous Values & Education
- Canopy South: $22,000 for Supporting Homeownership Opportunities & Community Vibrancy
- Centro Latino of Iowa: $25,000 for Community Leadership Program
- Circle Theatre: $21,000 for Draw the Circle Wide
- Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim: $25,000 for Maya Advocacy & Empowerment
- Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership: $25,000 for Transportation Program
- El Museo Latino: $25,000 for Latino Arts & Culture
- Great Plains Black History Museum: $25,000 for Operational Funding
- GROW Nebraska Women’s Business Center: $20,000 for Programming
- Heart Ministry Center: $25,000 for the Mental Health Clinic
- I Be Black Girl: $25,000 for Capacity Building
- Immigrant Legal Center: $25,000 for Immigration Legal Services for Abused, Abandoned, & Neglected Children
- inCOMMON Community Development: $25,000 for Walnut Hill Commons Neighborhood Resource Center
- Intercultural Senior Center: $25,000 for Transportation for Older Adults’ Access to Health & Nutrition
- International Council for Refugees and Immigrants: $25,000 for Refuges & Immigrants Social & Economic Development
- Latino Center of the Midlands: $15,000 for Workforce, Education & Innovation
- MAYS Foundation: $25,000 for MAYS Heroes Program
- Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation: $25,000 for Childcare Academy for Immigrants & Underrepresented Communities
- Whispering Roots: $25,000 for Food Access & Sustainability Project
- Youth for Greater Good: $10,000 for After School Program
Over $8 million has been granted to local nonprofits since the Fund for Omaha grant program started 33 years ago. Funding priorities continue to include arts and culture, neighborhoods, economic opportunity, health, transportation, and vibrant communities—with an overarching emphasis on racial equity.
Now, goals of the grant program also include supporting advocacy efforts to address systems change in communities of color and working to ensure equitable access for people of color throughout our community.
By the Numbers
- 102 organizations applied and requested a total of $2.3 million
- 75% of requests were for $25,000 – the maximum grant amount
- Most-requested areas of funding were Arts & Culture (25%), Health (21%), Workforce (15%), and Education (15%)
- 53% of applicants were small organizations with budgets under $500,000
To learn more about the Fund for Omaha grant program and funding criteria, click here.
