The Omaha Venture Group (OVG), a giving circle facilitated by the Omaha Community Foundation, is excited to announce its 2025 grant cycle. If your nonprofit has a bold vision and a fledgling initiative that can make a difference in our community, we encourage you to apply for an OVG grant. Applications will be accepted from January 1 to February 7, 2025.

For more than two decades, OVG has empowered emerging philanthropists to pool their resources and direct meaningful funding to innovative nonprofits. Since its founding in 2002, OVG has granted over $700,000 to 174 organizations, driving grassroots impact across the Omaha metro.

Why Apply for an OVG Grant?

OVG focuses on venture philanthropy, awarding up to $8,000 to initiatives that spark growth and innovation. Each year, four grants are awarded in the following interest areas:

  1. Arts and Culture: Expanding community engagement in arts and cultural programming.
  2. Health: Removing barriers to access quality healthcare, mental health services, and nutrition.
  3. Neighborhoods, Civic Engagement, and Safety: Building stronger, inclusive neighborhoods with safe housing, public spaces, and connectivity.
  4. Workforce and Education: Creating pathways to living-wage jobs and improving educational access and outcomes.

OVG seeks new nonprofits or bold new initiatives within established organizations and invests in newer ideas to make a big impact on the growth of the nonprofit.

Who is Eligible?

To apply, nonprofits must:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) or work under an umbrella nonprofit.
  • Serve residents in the Omaha metro area.
  • Have an annual budget of $500,000 or less.
  • Fit into one of the four interest areas.
  • Have not received OVG funding in the last three grant cycles.

How to Apply

The application process is designed to be straightforward:

  • Application details will be posted January 1, 2025.
  • Applicants will complete the initial letter of intent form, providing a brief summary of the project. Deadline: February 7, 2025.
  • Applicants selected will do a meet and greet with an interest group from the giving circle. This meet and greet can be in person or virtual through Zoom, to give OVG members a better understanding of your nonprofit. Applicants will be notified if they are selected for a meet and greet by March 3, 2025, at the latest. Meet and greets will be completed by March 31, 2025.
  • OVG will review and invite select final applicants to complete the full application. Applicants will be notified if they are selected or not selected for the full application process on April 14, 2025.
  • Only nonprofits selected for an award will complete a full application. Applications must be completed by May 2nd, 2025.

Check out the 2024 Recipients, 2023 Recipients, 2022 Recipients.

Award recipients will be invited to our Grant Night event on May 29, 2025, where they will celebrate with OVG members. All potential grants approved by OVG are subject to a grant agreement with the Omaha Community Foundation.

Make Your Vision a Reality

At OVG, we believe that grassroots initiatives are the foundation of a thriving community. We are passionate about supporting nonprofits with the courage to dream big and the commitment to making Omaha a better place for all.

Don’t miss the chance to bring your ideas to life with an OVG grant. Apply today and join the movement of innovators shaping the future of the Omaha metro.

For questions, contact us at ovg@omahafoundation.org.

 

*Pictured: Tamika Mease with North Omaha Community Partnership, a 2024 Omaha Venture Group Grant Recipient, speaks at the 2024 Grant Night event.