Fund for Omaha

The Omaha Community Foundation is committed to mobilizing support through the Fund for Omaha for organizations leading racial and social justice work in our community.

We see it as a fundamental human right and sign of a healthy, inclusive community for Black, Indigenous, and people of color to learn, work, and thrive in the place they call home. Our community is stronger and more connected when we embrace diversity, acknowledge areas of racial inequity and injustice, and invest in organizations leading the way.

2023 GRANT RECIPIENTS 

Program Goals

We are committed to addressing existing funding gaps by expanding opportunities for organizations that intentionally amplify and care for BIPOC voices. Program goals include:

• Building grassroots capacity of nonprofit organizations.
• Supporting advocacy efforts to address systems change in communities of color.
• Increasing connections within and across communities.
• Working to ensure equitable access for people of color throughout our community.

Priority Areas

We believe this work can happen through investments that address racial equity gaps. Funding priorities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mental & Behavioral Health: Ensuring individuals can obtain comprehensive services, removing barriers to care for both mental and behavioral health needs
• Maternal Health & Birth Outcomes: Enhancing healthcare, resources, and support provided to pregnant individuals for safe pregnancies and childbirth experiences, and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality rates.
• Housing & Neighborhoods: Ensuring affordable housing options, facilitating pathways to homeownership, and developing public spaces that foster social connections for people of color to feel safe and supported.
• Economic Opportunity: Expanding access to high-quality education, meaningful employment and career development opportunities, and equitable pay in our community for people of color.

Application Details

Award Size: Applicants can request up to $25,000. This grant is for general operating support.

Applications are accepted annually July 1 – August 1. Awards are announced via email by October 31.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants are those defined as public, tax-exempt organizations by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that provide services in the Omaha metropolitan area (Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties), or working with a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent who can receive funds on your behalf.

Organizations that have an annual operating budget of $5 million or less are eligible to apply.

Organizations that received funding in the prior year are no longer prohibited from funding. This is a change from past funding cycles in which organizations were not funded for consecutive years.

Who Should Apply?

We support local nonprofits that are working to ensure equitable access to opportunity for people throughout our community. With this in mind, funding decisions are made considering the following:

• Equitable Access: Does the nonprofit provide an opportunity for Black, Indigenous, and people of color to thrive; especially those whose voices are least heard?
• Cultural Awareness: Does the nonprofit demonstrate an understanding of the many cultures represented in the fabric of our community?
• Authentic Engagement: Does the nonprofit prioritize Black, Indigenous, and people of color’s lived experience in the development, deployment, and facilitation of efforts to impact the community?
• Capacity Building: Does the grant increase the nonprofit’s reach and bolster its efforts in the above three ways?

2023 Impact Report (PDF)