The Omaha Venture Group is a giving circle designed to allow young professionals to make a difference in smaller, grassroots non-profit agencies that are vital to the community, but relatively unknown to most donors. Based on the venture capitalist model of investing, young professionals make small personal or employee-assisted donations — also referred to as "seed money" — that are then invested into the OVG Grant Fund. Each year, three Omaha private family foundations make a donation of their own that matches the fund's total. The concept is simple, taking a small amount of funding, multiplying it and making a bigger impact through collaboration.

The grant approval process involves each and every OVG member. Each person is encouraged to join one of three interest groups (youth, community and senior/adult) and is then charged with learning about and meeting with different nonprofits who cater to that particular area of interest. The groups then nominate nine non-profit organizations, three from each area, for grant funding. Together, the 35 members vote on recipients and grant dollars.

But the idea isn’t just about giving. Members are invited to monthly social and educational events that introduce them to small, vital organizations in the community. They also get to hear how past grant recipients have used their funds. This member-driven organization is extremely hands-on, giving members a first-hand look at the issues facing Omaha and providing them with the means to personally impact positive change in the community. It's a way to strengthen the bond between individuals and their city.

Past Recipients

2003-2004:
Arts on the Green
Clifton Hills Neighborhood Association
Highlander Neighborhood Association
Long School Neighborhood Association
Omaha Area Youth Orchestra
Nebraska Friends of Foster Children
Presbyterian Outreach, Inc.
Southern Sudan Community
St. Richard’s School
Take Flight Farms, Inc.

2004-2005:
Autism Society of Nebraska
Burlington Railroad Neighborhood Association
Carl Washington Youth Resource Center
Every Child Deserves a Home
Hot Shops Film Festival
Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly
Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols
Program for Women and Successful Aging
The ARTery

2005-2006:
Center for Workplace Services
Midtown Neighborhood Alliance
North Omaha Good News Bear, Inc.
Nothing But Net Foundation
Omaha Dance Project
South Sudanese Resource Center
Stand Up for Kids – Omaha

2006-2007:
Angels Among Us, Inc.
Augustana Cornerstone Foundation
Bellevue TOPSoccer
Executive Service Corps – Nebraska (ESCN)
Intergenerational Orchestra of Omaha
Omaha School of Music
Special Friends, Inc.

The OVG Calendar runs from October through May of each year. Dates for the 2007-2008 year are as follows:

• 2007-2008 Omaha Venture Group Kick-Off and Information Session – October 19, 2007, 6 pm, Kutak Rock
• Interest Group Luncheon – November 16, 2007, 11:30 am, Spezia Restaurant
• Social/Education Event – January 2008, 6 pm, Location TBD
• Social/Education Event – February 2008, 7:30 am, Location TBD
• Social/Education event – March 2008, 6 pm, Location TBD
• OVG Grant Member Vote Night – May 1, 2008, 6:00 pm, Location TBD
• 2007-2008 OVG Grant Day Presentation – May 29, 2008, 6 pm, Location TBD

For more information about OVG or to become a member, please download the 2007-2008 OVG Enrollment Form below, or contact Hillary Nather-Detisch at hillary@omahafoundation.org or 402.342.3458.