The Omaha Venture Group, a giving circle facilitated by the Omaha Community Foundation, recently awarded grants to five local nonprofit organizations.

OVG members pool their charitable resources while learning about venture philanthropy. Members discuss how the group’s funds can be allocated most effectively and review grant applications submitted during a yearly application period. The group focuses on four interest areas: Arts and Culture; Education and Workforce; Health; and Neighborhood, Civic Engagement and Safety.

In 2023, OVG awarded $30,600 to the following nonprofits.

Circle Theatre

Circle Theatre, founded in 1983, is known as the first independent theater company in Omaha. Local writers, actors, and musicians have produced more than 100 original comedies, dramas, and musicals.

Grant: $8,000 to support their 2023 season

Everyday Science and Science Support

Everyday Science and Science Support encourages everyone’s ability to learn and have access to science. They offer events and workshops, as well as free and low-cost materials, strategies and resources for engaging our community in science.

Grant: $7,300 to support three programs: 4 States of Matter, Physics of Race Cars, and Eco-Action Habitats for Families

Access Period

Access Period, pictured, combats period poverty by providing free menstrual products to anyone who needs them in Omaha and across Nebraska. They partner with nonprofits to provide access to menstrual care and have distributed more than 400,000 period products.

Grant: $7,900 to provide menstrual products to Omaha Public Schools. Each Period Kit provided to Omaha Public Schools students will be packed at three community packing events, with Access Period representatives on hand to answer questions about the program. These events will be an opportunity for community members to learn about menstrual product insecurity, student poverty, and the refugee experience, as well as to connect with the diverse populations that make Omaha unique.

House of Bah Foundation

House of Bah Foundation, formerly Eat N’ Talk Africa, sprang from the realization that there is a lack of representation of African culinary heritage in the local food and beverage industry. Its purpose is to elevate students’ culinary heritage through practical training that can lead to job placement.

Grant: $8,800 to establish an annual Capstone Fundraiser to support the growing organization

South Omaha Classic OLG Youth Athletics

South Omaha Classic OLG Youth Athletics provides affordable youth sports for South Omaha families. They believe competing in group sports improve young people’s decision-making, leadership skills, and work ethic. With these skills, children are less likely to join gangs or make decisions that will negatively affect their futures.

Grant: $6,500 to purchase a fence for their baseball field

Join OVG

The OVG calendar kicks off in early January, when members begin their introduction to philanthropy and leadership development with monthly educational opportunities. Every spring, members review nonprofit applications and award grants. Membership and recruiting events take place in the fall. Contact Wynter Davis (wynter@omahafoundation.org) or Eyerusalem Gehringer (eyerusalem@omahafoundation.org) to learn more about upcoming events.

Learn more about the Omaha Venture Group and membership benefits.

OVG Team

Executive Leadership

  • Co-chairs: Chandler Green and Brady Marlow
  • OCF Co-chairs: Wynter Davis and Eyerusalem Gehringer
  • Nonprofit Selection Committee: Jeff Huether and Joe Woster
  • Membership Development Committee: Leigh Joyce and Jamie Pieper
  • Donor Development Committee: Ryan Decker, Ben Reynolds, and Andrew Wesely
  • Arts and Culture Interest Group: Tessa Barney
  • Education and Workforce Interest Group: Josh Gillman
  • Health Interest Group: Josef Ghaussy
  • Neighborhoods, Civic Engagement, and Safety: Adam Fritz
  • Special Interest Group – Youth Sports: Chandler Green

Grant Making Members

  • Tessa Barney, Omaha Community Foundation
  •  Andy Brabec, Borsheims
  • Wynter Davis, Omaha Community Foundation
  • Ryan Decker, FNBO
  • Gerard Forbes, Trility Consulting
  • Adam Fritz, Gallup
  • Eyerusalem Gehringer, Omaha Community Foundation
  • Josef Ghaussy, Hub International Limited
  • Josh Gillman, Kids Can Community Center
  • Chandler Green, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture
  • Jane Hartig, Google
  • Conner Holt, FORVIS
  • Max Huerter, Sheppard’s Business Interiors
  • Jeff Huether, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
  • Leigh Joyce, DuckDuck Go
  • Liz Kerrigan, Farm Credit Services of America
  • Bryce Koch, Hiley Hunt Wealth Management
  • Elizabeth Matthews, NP Dodge Real Estate
  • Brady Marlow, Carson Wealth
  • Jamie Pieper, Peer Sales Agency
  • Ben Reynolds, Sheppard’s Business Interiors
  • Will Roberts, Nebraska Methodist College
  • Martina Slater, Google
  • Molly Thomas, Google
  • Timothy Vaughan, Google
  • Andrew Wesely, Ayars & Ayars
  • Joe Woster, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska