Each year, the Omaha Community Foundation is proud to partner with local residents who know their communities best. Through our Community Interest Funds, neighbors come together to support grassroots projects and nonprofit organizations working to create lasting change.
In 2025, these five resident-led grant programs awarded a total of $664,994 to 86 local nonprofits and neighborhood groups across the metro. The funds include the African American Unity Fund, Futuro Latino Fund, LGBTQIA2S+ Equality Fund, Refugee Community Grant Fund, and Omaha Neighborhood Grants. Of all of the grants awarded, 24 organizations were new applicants.
For this grant cycle, OCF received 193 applications with requests totaling $3,862,411. These numbers speak to the depth of need—and the abundance of ideas—for building a stronger, more connected Omaha.
Funding decisions are made by community members who bring lived experience, local insight, and deep care to the table. This kind of participatory grantmaking ensures resources go where they’re needed most.
African American Unity Fund
The African American Unity Fund committee awarded $165,000 to 20 organizations supporting initiatives for the African American community.
- A Mother’s Love Inc. – Transportation Support • $10,000
- All In The Family Mentoring & Support Services – Youth Mentoring and Support Program • $10,000
- Black Student Leadership Council – General Operations and Multiple Projects • $15,000
- BLOOM – Building Lifetime Opportunities – BLOOM Summer Day Camp • $7,000
- Collaborative Creative Visions – Melanin City Classic • $12,500
- Creighton University – North Omaha Basic Human Needs Support • $5,000
- Dreams V Reality – Mister K’s Clubhouse: A Place of Love, Learning & Growth • $10,000
- Emerging Ladies Academy – Tech Academy • $7,500
- FOTS (Families of the Stolen) – Grief’s Art Workshops • $2,500
- Hello Joy Inc. – Capacity Building Initiative • $5,000
- Identity Preparatory Academy – Pilot Academy Launch • $15,000
- Inclusive Healers of the Heartland – Inclusive Impact Campaign • $5,000
- J’s Braintrust Consulting Services Inc. – Sports Officiating Training • $7,000
- MOMentum – Rides to Work Program • $5,000
- Native Omaha Days Organizing Committee – Native Omaha Days Festival • $15,000
- North Omaha Good News Bears – Youth Club • $11,000
- Omaha Cares Mentoring Movement (OCMM) – Capacity Building Initiative • $5,000
- One Stop Cancer Shop Nebraska – Support for those affected by cancer • $5,000
- The Institute for Black Literacy / Black Literacy Matters – Read to Rise • $7,500
- Together We Achieve Miracles – Walking Through Memory Lane with Nebraskans’ African American Activists – Traveling Exhibit • $5,000
Futuro Latino Fund
The Futuro Latino Fund committee awarded $150,000 to 12 organizations that support and celebrate Latino culture, leadership, and opportunity in the Omaha metro.
- Barrientos Scholarship Foundation – Student Success Mentor & Life Skills Coaching Program • $10,000
- Danza Raices de Mexico – Danza Raices de MX of Omaha • $15,000
- Families in Action – Familias Creciendo en Salud • $10,000
- Fern Foundation For Kids, Inc. – Mindfulness for Kids in Omaha • $10,000
- Gomez Heritage Elementary PTO – Edward Babe Gomez Heritage Elementary PTO Playground Upgrade • $20,000
- Jackson Boxing Club – Program Support • $20,000
- Latino Economic Development Council – Groundbreaking Year: Engaging Youth • $10,000
- LIVE Leadership Camp – Program Support • $4,000
- Metro Young Latino Professional Association – MYLPA Scholarship, Professional Development & Mentorship • $10,000
- South Omaha OLG Youth Athletics – Program Support • $4,000
- True Potential Scholarships – Program Support • $25,000
LGBTQIA2S+ Equality Fund
The LGBTQIA2S+ Equality Fund committee awarded $150,000 to 18 organizations working to improve the well-being, visibility, and equity of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals.
- Access Period – Free Inclusive Period Underwear • $8,000
- ACLU of Nebraska – Defending Civil Rights in Nebraska • $10,000
- BFF Omaha – Queer Artist Support • $12,000
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands – Mentoring with Pride • $15,000
- Collaborative Creative Visions Inc. – Velvet Curtain Vibe • $5,500
- Community Bike Project of Omaha – WTF Wrench Night • $2,500
- Inclusive Communities – IncluCity • $7,500
- Jackson Boxing Club – Training & Community for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth • $2,500
- Legal Aid of Nebraska – Name Change Clinic • $5,000
- Nebraska AIDS Project – Enhanced Testing & Outreach • $15,000
- Nebraska Writers Collective – 2025/26 All Writes Reserved Program • $5,000
- Omaha ForUs – Mental Health Capacity Building • $10,000
- OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc. – LGBTQIA2S+ Health Care Promotion/Access • $2,000
- Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Inc. – LGBTQIA2S+ Inclusive Sexual & Reproductive Health Education • $10,000
- River City Mixed Chorus – 2025-2026 Season: Considering Matthew Shepard • $12,500
- United in Pride – Youth Pride & Scholarship Program • $10,000
- Winnebago Two-Spirit Corps. – Winnebago Two-Spirit Pride Week • $5,000
- Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) – Support for LGBTQIA2S+ Survivors • $12,500
Refugee Community Grant Fund
The Refugee Community Grant Fund committee awarded $120,000 to 13 refugee-led or refugee-serving organizations, each contributing to a more welcoming and inclusive community for New Americans.
- African Immigrant Family Services – African Community Health and Wellness Initiative • $10,000
- Intercultural Senior Center – Transportation for Refugees • $7,500
- International Council for Refugees and Immigrants – Bridge to Prosperity: Refugee Youth Program • $10,000
- Nebraska Diaper Bank – Changing Diapers Changing Lives 2025 • $5,000
- Omaha Welcomes the Stranger – Omaha Welcomes the Stranger • $7,500
- Refugee Women Organization of Nebraska – New American Urban Farmers • $7,500
- Refugee Women Rising – Driving Independence: Continuing Acts of Resilience • $12,100
- Restoring Dignity – Welcome Home Refugee Family Education Program • $12,500
- St. Pius X / St. Leo School – English Language Teacher Assistant • $7,500
- Somali Community Services Inc. – Youth Preventive Program • $7,500
- The Bloc Inc. – Personal Board of Directors: Empowering Youth Through Mentorship • $7,500
- The Furniture Project – Omaha – Furnishing Hope, Transforming Lives for Refugee Families • $10,000
- Yates Fund – Yates Illuminates – Sharing a Meal, Promoting Intentional Conversations • $15,400
Omaha Neighborhood Grants
The Omaha Neighborhood Grants committee awarded $80,000 to 23 neighborhood groups for projects that build stronger, more connected neighborhoods across Omaha.
- Benson Little League – Community Picnic • $1,800
- Benson Neighborhood Association – Beautify Benson Campaign • $2,500
- BFF Omaha – Youth Artist Market • $5,000
- Canopy South – Community Gardens • $5,000
- Casa De La Cultura – Cinco de Mayo Cleanup • $5,000
- City Sprouts – Growing Together • $4,000
- Community Bike Project of Omaha – DIY Repair Shop • $2,500
- Fairfax Neighborhood – Community Lot Enhancement • $5,000
- Falcon Ridge Home Owners Association – Native Wildflower Garden • $2,500
- Free Farm Syndicate – Neighborhood Food Networks • $5,000
- Gifford Park Neighborhood Association – Summer of Community Building • $4,890.98
- Grammercy Park Collective – Green and Clean with Free Libraries • $4,992
- Great Plains Theatre Commons – Stories of O • $2,500
- inCOMMON Community Development – Entryway Lighting in Walnut Hill • $4,000
- Kiwanis Club of Florence – Youth Mental Health Program • $2,500
- Peony Park Neighborhood Association – Garden and Outreach Programs • $2,986
- Prairie Lane Neighborhood Association – 4th of July Parade • $1,100
- Rambleridge Property Owners Association – Park and Pond Improvements • $4,000
- Seventy Five North Revitalization Corp – Resident Committee Leadership • $2,500
- Skylark/Cryer Neighborhood Association – Camaraderie & Park Improvements • $3,225
- South Omaha Business Improvement District – Street Cleanup & Maintenance • $3,000
- The Church / Art House – Friday2 Art Walk • $2,500
- The Country Club Community Council – Garden & Education Partnership • $3,500
Why Support Community Interest Funds?
These funds are powered by the people—and anyone can contribute. Donations go directly toward local organizations that reflect and respond to community-identified needs. By supporting a Community Interest Fund, you’re helping residents invest in their own neighborhoods and cultural communities.
The next grant cycle will open on January 1, 2026.