The Omaha Community Foundation announced its latest round of grant funding to 23 local nonprofits from the COVID-19 Response Fund that was created to address urgent needs facing local nonprofits as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
To-date, the Response Fund has now granted more than $1.2 million to 51 local nonprofits since it was launched in March. The most recent funding supports needs related to emergency housing, financial assistance, food security, and healthcare.
As the region continues to feel effects from COVID-19, nonprofits continue to report increased need related to food and housing. During the first week of June, Douglas County saw an average of 24 evictions per day—more than double the usual rate. Food needs are expected to remain high for the next 12-18 months, specifically food delivery and cultural specific food options that the Food Bank and other pantry providers may not be able to accommodate.
Nonprofits receiving funds in the most recent round were:
| · Benson Area Refugee Taskforce |
| · Black Men United |
| · Charles Drew Health Center |
| · Compassion in Action |
| · Completely Kids |
| · Ethiopian Community Association |
| · Grief’s Journey |
| · Habitat for Humanity |
| · Heartland Workers Center |
| · I Be Black Girl |
| · Intercultural Senior Center |
| · International Council for Refugees & Immigrants |
| · Life House |
| · Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless |
| · Nebraska AIDS Project |
| · Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation |
| · Nebraska Kidney Association |
| · New Life Family Alliance |
| · North Omaha Area Health |
| · One World Community Health Centers |
| · Refugee Empowerment Center |
| · Restoring Dignity |
| · Simple Foundation |
In addition to over nearly 6,000 community members and individuals, the Fund has been supported by Peter Kiewit Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Mutual of Omaha Foundation, First National Bank, and U.S. Bank. More than 5,000 of these individuals donated to the Fund during this year’s Omaha Gives on May 20.
In March, the Omaha Community Foundation launched the COVID-19 Response Fund to provide flexible resources to organizations in the metro area working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of this outbreak.
The Response Fund is continuing to accept donations from anyone wishing to give. More details on the Fund, funding priorities, grantees, and how to donate can be found at omahafoundation.org/COVID19.