The Omaha Community Foundation is committed to supporting organizations at the forefront of racial equity and social justice work in our community. The Fund for Omaha specifically supports organizations working in these areas.

For 2024, we are further refining the grant program’s funding priorities to align with the Community Foundation’s overall focus areas. The refined priority areas are:

  • Mental and Behavioral Health: Ensuring individuals can obtain comprehensive healthcare, removing barriers to care for both mental and behavioral health needs.
  • Maternal Health and Birth Outcomes: Enhancing healthcare, resources, and support provided to pregnant individuals for safe pregnancies and childbirth experiences and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality rates.
  • Housing and Neighborhoods: Ensuring affordable housing options, facilitating pathways to homeownership, and developing public spaces that foster social connections for people of color to feel safe and supported.
  • Economic Opportunity: Expanding access to high-quality education, meaningful employment and career development opportunities, and equitable pay in our community for people of color.

The goals for Fund for Omaha remain the same: building the grassroots capacity of nonprofit organizations, supporting advocacy efforts to address systems change in communities of color, increasing connections within and across communities, and working to ensure equitable access for people of color throughout our community.

Applications for 2024 Fund for Omaha grant cycle will be accepted July 1-August 1. During that time, a link to apply for a grant will be posted at OmahaFoundation.org/FFO.

Who should apply?

The Fund for Omaha supports local nonprofits with budgets of $5 million or less that are working to ensure equitable access to opportunity for people throughout our community. With this in mind, funding decisions are made by considering the following:

  • Equitable Access: Does the nonprofit provide an opportunity for Black, Indigenous, and people of color to thrive; especially those whose voices are least heard?
  • Cultural Awareness: Does the nonprofit demonstrate an understanding of the many cultures represented in the fabric of our community?
  • Authentic Engagement: Does the nonprofit prioritize Black, Indigenous, and people of color’s lived experience in the development, deployment, and facilitation of efforts to impact the community?
  • Capacity Building: Does the grant increase the nonprofit’s reach and bolster its efforts in the above three ways?
Details and eligibility

Applicants can request up to $25,000. Grants are for general operating support and can be used flexibly to accomplish the goals outlined in the application.

Applications will be accepted July 1-August 1. Awards will be announced via email by October 31.

Eligible applicants are those defined as public, tax-exempt organizations by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that provide services in the Omaha metropolitan area (Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties), or working with a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent who can receive funds on your behalf.

Organizations must have an annual operating budget of $5 million or less to be eligible.

For more information about eligibility, visit OmahaFoundation.org/FFO.

Donate to the fund

The Fund for Omaha is an endowed fund at the Omaha Community Foundation. Individuals, private foundations and businesses can contribute to the fund. You can donate online here.

If you have questions about donating to the Fund for Omaha, contact our Donor Services team at giving@omahafoundation.org or 402-342-3458.