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.  This organization’s governing board must approve applications prior to submission.  In addition, priority funding will be given to proposals that:

• Respond to a demonstrated or emerging community need.
• Support effective, proven, or promising solutions.
• Build upon and maximize other community resources.
• Offer a clear plan for financial sustainability.

22 Local Nonprofit Agencies Benefit from the Generosity of the Omaha Community Foundation

The Omaha Community Foundation’s Fund for Omaha completed its fall grant program by awarding $184,520 to 22 area nonprofit agencies.  The grants will go to programs that work with youth, address immigration issues, assist the elderly, and many others that improve the quality of life for many Omaha area residents.

“The programs supported by the Fund for Omaha offer promising solutions that address important community needs,” OCF President and CEO, Mike Leighton, said.  “The Fund for Omaha is one of the many ways the Omaha Community Foundation inspires positive change within the community.”

Since it was established in 1983, the Fund for Omaha has approved over $2.8 million in grants.

Fall 2007 Fund for Omaha grant recipients include:

• Assistance League of Omaha - $9,000 to provide new clothing to approximately 2,000 children from 12 Omaha area public school districts.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands - $15,000 to expand the current mentoring program for children of prisoners by making the coordinator of this program full-time.
• Catholic Charities Nebraska - $10,000 for the Latina Resource Center’s continuing operations.
• Chicano Awareness Center - $15,000 to provide Spanish GED preparation classes for 100 adult learners.
• Christian Outreach Program Elkhorn, Inc. - $9,740 for youth tutoring assistance during established parental ESL language classes.
• Corrigan Heritage Inc. - $4,500 for air conditioning, cleaning the gym floor, and updating the theater facilities.
• Domestic Violence Coordinating Council - $12,000 to provide an extensive public awareness campaign to promote the Family Justice Center.
• Girls Incorporated Omaha - $5,000 for a political advocacy and leadership program for girls ages 13 to 18.
• Heartland Family Service - $10,000 to provide free substance abuse prevention curricula and training to local child care providers.
• Holy Name Housing Corporation - $10,000 to research and acquire four of five lots for a Credit to Own (CROWN) project to be constructed in 2009.
• Hope of Glory Christian Fellowship’s Williams Prepared Place - $5,620 to provide move-in kits, drug test kits, transportation, and additional therapy for dually-diagnosed individuals.
• Iowa-Nebraska Innocence Project - $4,000 to purchase tools needed to exonerate wrongly convicted persons, including legal software for managing cases, liability insurance to cover pro bono attorneys and printing materials for public education.
• Justice for Our Neighbors - $10,000 to provide free immigration legal services to low-income individuals.
• KidVision - $6,000 to provide free vision screenings to children from Head Start, Community Health Centers and the Child Saving Institute.
• Legal Aid of Nebraska - $10,000 to upgrade the ElderAccessLine, a legal assistance hotline available to Nebraskans over the age of 60.
• Lutheran Family Service of Nebraska - $7,500 to create a position to coordinate sponsorship opportunities for refugees in the Omaha area.
• Mission for All Nations - $7,700 to provide 24,000 needy people with a week’s supply of food, as well as clothing, hygiene products, and household items.
• OneWorld Health Center - $10,000 to provide 300 prescriptions to the homeless and near-homeless population in South Omaha.
• Presbyterian Outreach, Inc. - $5,000 to obtain an inventory software system to manage over 9,000 pieces of medical equipment.
• Stephen Center - $7,700 to provide necessary upgrades to the Stephen Center Emergency Shelter Program due to overcrowding and expanded services to women and children as a result of other community shelters closing.
• Voices for Children - $3,760 to update, print, and distribute the Family Assistance Resource Guide.
• Volunteers Assisting Seniors - $7,000 to provide community education regarding the Homestead Exemption and for providing application assistance for low-income senior citizens.

The Fund for Omaha is the OCF’s largest grant program.  Eligible applicants are public, tax-exempt organizations defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that provide services in the Omaha metropolitan area.  The Foundation reviews funding proposals from Omaha area charitable organizations each spring and fall.  A 15-member grant committee evaluates the proposals and awards funding to help address issues within the community.

Grants are awarded to organizations based on:  Response to a demonstrated or emerging community need; support for effective, proven, or promising solutions; ability to maximize other community resources; and evidence of a clear plan for financial sustainability.

For more information, please contact Patrick McNamara, Omaha Community Foundation Director of Philanthropic Services, at 402-342-3458, or patrick@omahafoundation.org.