On July 22, the Omaha Venture Group (OVG) completed another grant season, awarding $34,000 to four area nonprofit organizations. This year’s grant decision meeting was held virtually to maintain the health and safety of members amid the global coronavirus pandemic. Even still, the group was energized by the local nonprofits working to support community members and initiatives during a challenging time for our community and world.

OVG is pleased to congratulate the 2020 Omaha Venture Group Grant Recipients:

  • Restoring Dignity – $8,000
  • North Omaha Area Health – $7,800
  • Generation Diamond – $9,100
  • Culxr House Omaha – $9,100

“As with the rest of the world, we were thrown a curve ball when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the middle of our giving season.  After careful consideration, the group concluded the best path forward was to continue with our giving season under proper guidelines and a modified format,” said OVG member, Ralph Dovali.

OVG is an established giving circle whose members support philanthropic efforts in our community through a venture capitalism model of investing their charitable dollars. Members have the opportunity to make small, personal or employee-assisted donations—then come together to research and award grants to small, grassroots nonprofit organizations.

“We were seeing such a strong need for giving in our community as nonprofits had to pivot in light of COVID-19. The end result was one of our most engaging vote nights within Omaha Venture Group and awarding of meaningful dollars to four really great nonprofit organizations,” said Dovali.

Like the OVG grant recipients, many nonprofits in the metro have been impacted by COVID-19. OVG is just one of the many ways the Omaha Community Foundation is working to address the needs of nonprofits on the front lines of support for the most vulnerable community members. The COVID-19 Impact Report shows how these investments are supporting our community and where support is still needed.

For additional information about The Omaha Venture Group or to learn more about how to get involved, click here.