Knowledge Archives - Omaha Community Foundation

What the 2025 Annual DAF Report Reveals for Omaha

Kathy Schubauer — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:53:02 +0000

At the Omaha Community Foundation, our role goes beyond granting money to nonprofits. We help donors make informed decisions about how and when their generosity can have the greatest impact. Doing that well requires not only deep local knowledge, but also credible national data that adds context and perspective to an evolving philanthropic landscape.

That is why OCF sponsored the 2025 Annual Donor Advised Fund Report, produced independently by the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative. The report provides a comprehensive, data driven look at how Donor Advised Funds are used nationwide and what those patterns reveal about charitable giving today.

A Donor Advised Fund functions much like a charitable savings account. Donors contribute assets, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to nonprofits over time. This structure allows donors to plan their giving thoughtfully, respond to changing community needs, and manage their philanthropy from one place without administrative complexity. Throughout the report, Donor Advised Funds, or DAFs, are examined across different sponsors and communities.

Why Independent Research Matters

Beginning with the 2025 edition, responsibility for the Annual DAF Report shifted to the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative, an independent group of scholars specializing in economics and philanthropy. The Collaborative includes researchers affiliated with BYU, DePaul University, Grand Valley State University’s Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

This independence strengthens confidence in the findings because objective research ensures insights are shaped by data rather than marketing priorities or institutional interests. As Dan Heist, co-founder of the Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative, notes, when donors can trust both the data and the institution helping interpret it, better decisions follow.

“Independent data is most powerful when it’s paired with local context,” Heist said. “Community foundations like the Omaha Community Foundation play a critical connector role by translating national research into insights that help donors act.” 

What the Data Shows Locally

The 2025 report draws on data from nearly 1,500 DAF sponsors nationwide, including community foundations, national providers, and single-issue charities. The findings show that when DAFs are held at community foundations, they often reflect long-term donor relationships, larger average account sizes, and consistent grantmaking. Even during periods of market volatility, grantmaking activity remains steady.

This context is especially meaningful for Omaha. In 2025, OCF distributed $315.8 million through approximately 19,000 grants to 3,670 organizations across 2,143 funds, with DAFs serving as a key giving tool for many fundholders.

“What’s interesting about philanthropy in Omaha specifically is that it blends long-term commitment with immediate responsiveness,” Heist said, “Data shows donors here are thinking beyond single transactions and using tools like DAFs to stay adaptable to changing needs in their community.”

The data also helps address common assumptions about DAFs. Public discussions sometimes suggest that charitable dollars are delayed or withheld. National data does not support that view. In 2024, DAF payout rates exceeded 25%, showing that these funds are actively used to support nonprofits and respond to community needs.

Beyond individual giving decisions, the report highlights how charitable giving responds to broader economic conditions. National trends help donors understand how contributions and grantmaking shift over time and how planning can balance immediate needs with longer-term goals.

Omaha’s philanthropic strength is further supported by a strong network of professional advisors, including experts in estate planning, tax law, accounting, investment management, and trust services. Omaha is also home to the nation’s largest Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy study group, reinforcing a culture of informed, collaborative charitable planning.

Key findings from the 2025 report help put this context into perspective. Nationwide, DAFs distributed $65 billion in grants in 2024. Overall payout rates exceeded 25 percent, with community foundation DAFs averaging payout rates above 20 percent. Despite holding fewer assets than private foundations, DAFs distributed more than half as much in total grant dollars. Community foundation DAFs also continued to reflect larger average account sizes, supporting steady, long-term giving.

Taken together, the 2025 Annual DAF Report offers a clearer picture of how DAFs are used and why they matter. The data shows that these funds consistently move charitable dollars into communities, even during uncertain economic times. By replacing assumptions with evidence, the research gives donors practical insight into how their giving fits within broader trends and how thoughtful, informed philanthropy can strengthen nonprofits and communities over time.

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Creating the Neighbor Recovery Fund: A Community Bank Model

Laura Contreras — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:17:22 +0000

In April 2024, tornadoes tore through eastern Nebraska, damaging and destroying homes across Douglas, Washington, and surrounding counties. In the immediate aftermath, the Omaha Community Foundation moved quickly to support relief efforts by establishing the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund, allowing donors to give within hours of the storms. At the same time, OCF began organizing nonprofit, government, and community partners to coordinate response and reduce duplication. This early work focused on stabilizing households and setting the foundation for longer-term recovery, recognizing that while emergency relief is critical, rebuilding lives and homes requires sustained coordination, flexible funding, and trusted local partnerships.

As direct assistance needs became more complex, partners recognized that no single organization or funding source could fill the gaps alone. The Neighbor Recovery Fund was created as a direct assistance mechanism using pooled resources totaling approximately $1.6 million from specific Tri-County Long-Term Recovery Coalition partners.

This approach did not create new dollars. It brought existing dollars into one shared decision-making process, so partner funding could be coordinated, reviewed consistently, and applied where it would make the most difference for survivors.

“The Neighbor Recovery Fund was built to close the gaps that insurance and FEMA do not cover,” said Sarah Sjolie, Disaster Recovery Coordinator at the Omaha Community Foundation. “It lets our partners respond to what a household actually needs to move forward, based on a case manager’s assessment, not a one-size-fits-all checklist.”

Funding partners included:

Omaha Community Foundation (Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund)
The Salvation Army
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
Washington County Long-Term Recovery Group
First Lutheran Church (Blair)

Centralized intake partner:

United Way of the Midlands 2-1-1 (routes requests to disaster case managers)

Disaster case management partners:

St. Vincent de Paul
Heartland Hope Mission
Christian Outreach Program Elkhorn
East Central Long-Term Recovery Group

How the Neighbor Recovery Fund Worked in Practice

Across cases reviewed, the panel stayed focused on helping households move toward safe and livable housing. Decisions were guided by case manager assessments and reviewed through a consistent process.

Key elements of the model included:

Intake through 2-1-1 and disaster case management coordination
Biweekly review panel with de-identified case presentations
Shared decision-making across funding partners
Less duplication between organizations
Faster decisions and deployment of dollars
Fewer steps for survivors navigating multiple systems

“Flexibility is what made this recovery effort work,” said Sarah Sjolie. “Without adaptable funding and shared decision-making, we would not have been able to respond to the complexity of these cases.”

As of January 2026, the Neighbor Recovery Fund approved 102 requests, supporting more than 46 households and deploying $864,037 in direct assistance. Most funding (73%) was used for debris removal, repair work, and construction gap funding, helping households prepare for construction or complete rebuilds. Data also showed that many families required more than one round of support as their recovery progressed. Rather than replacing insurance or FEMA assistance, the fund consistently covered critical gaps that were preventing repairs from moving forward.

Impact on Future Readiness

This work strengthened coordination among partners and clarified roles that can be used again in future disasters. It also created a more streamlined intake and review process that reduced confusion and improved follow-through across organizations.

Key outcomes included:

Clearer shared processes and partner roles
A streamlined intake approach between 2-1-1 and case managers
A shared review and decision model among funders
Documentation of lessons learned and what worked in practice
Stronger partner relationships/coordination that can be activated quickly in future events

The Neighbor Recovery Fund created a shared way to review needs, coordinate funding, and reduce delays for survivors. It helped limit the number of organizations survivors had to contact and reduced the burden of repeating their story. Most importantly, it supported households working toward safe housing and stability, even when traditional systems could not cover every cost.

The Neighbor Recovery Fund was made possible through the collective efforts of the Omaha Community Foundation, United Way of the Midlands, The Salvation Army, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, First Lutheran Church ELCA (Blair), and the Washington County Long-Term Recovery Group.

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The Blueprint for Resilient Recovery, a Wrap-Up Report

Sarah Sjolie — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:38:12 +0000

Executive Summary

On April 26, 2024, several EF4 Tornados created large-scale destruction that traveled 32.5 miles across Blair, Bennington, Elkhorn, Kennard, and Waterloo. Nearly 1000 homes were partially damaged or demolished, impacting a majority of vulnerable, elderly, and rural neighbors.

The Omaha Community Foundation was called into action following the tornado by its donors to support a meaningful response, setting up to receive donations on their website within hours. After raising $1.3 million for the Arbor Day Tornado survivor recovery, OCF launched a coordinated recovery effort that was based on the unique assets of each community. Its long-term stewardship of the funds has ensured that even 18 months after the tornadoes, survivors continue to receive case management and can apply for unmet needs support.

Traditional disaster recovery models struggle with significant delays, fragmented services, and funding bottlenecks. This white paper outlines a blueprint for recovery with three pillars:

Coalition Building
Specialized Case Management
Innovative Funding Orchestration

By integrating community assets with expert navigation and a centralized “community bank” funding model, the gap between immediate disaster relief and long-term stability has been bridged for more than 254 closed cases and 54 current active cases. This effort will wrap-up on May 3, 2026 after more than two years of recovery support.

Pillar 1: Building a Coalition of Community-Based Assets

Effective recovery is not the work of a single agency but the synchronized effort of a multi-disciplinary coalition. When the 2024 Arbor Day Tornado struck, there was little infrastructure to support a coordinated response and no resources to drive long-term recovery. For a typical event like an EF4 tornado, recovery can take up to two years after the event.

Following national best practices through United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) case management and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster‘s (VOAD) community asset model, Omaha Community Foundation formed the Tri-County Long Term Recovery Coalition to bring agency experts, neighborhood leaders, elected officials, and donations resources together to coordinate a multi-county response.

The work of the Tri-County Long Term Recovery Coalition focused on integrating six core service areas into a unified response structure:

Community Assessment: Canvass and connect early responder data to obtain community-wide assessment of needs and connect survivors to long term recovery.
Construction Management: Coordinating owners’ representation support services, connection to contractors and skilled labor to prioritize structural integrity and code compliance.
Counseling & Mental Health: Addressing the trauma of post-event experiences with survivors. Tornado survivors were connected to a series of free mental health counseling and partnered with Nebraska Strong via Region 6.
Volunteer Coordination: Partnering with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and local Douglas and Washington counties to train on the importance of tracking volunteer time. Various events were curated by the Tri-County Coalition, and more than 150 long-term volunteers engaged in community clean-up days, tree distribution days, and supporting local move-ins back into permanent housing.
Resource Coordination: Physical donations management was coordinated through partners like Heartland Hope Mission and Salvation Army. Development of physical donations management is still needed. Where the Tri-County coalition thrived was by streamlining the intake and distribution of financial donations to maximize impact through the unmet needs committee – Neighbor Recovery Fund.
Integrated Case Management: Serving as the connective tissue between all other assets to ensure no survivor falls through the cracks, the Tri-County Coalition partnered with UMCOR to train 12 specialized case managers to lead the survivor recovery outreach. This highly successful team has positively impacted more than 292 cases.

Pillar 2: The Specialized Disaster Case Management (DCM) Workforce

The heartbeat of this work is a specialized DCM workforce. They are the key ingredient to the survivor recovery journey success. Unlike general social work, disaster-specific case management requires high-level technical expertise about property damage assessment, insurance coverage and claims processes, FEMA process, and the ability to co-currently serve the survivor and hold them accountable to complete their self-driven recovery journey. This complex relationship places the survivor and the DCM as partners in the process.

Due to the Arbor Day Tornado’s national disaster declaration for individual assistance, the Omaha Community Foundation was awarded a $1M FEMA grant that provided paid Disaster Case Management time for the workforce to canvass, advocate, and serve the survivors as they work to reach a new normal.

Expert Navigation and Insurance Advocacy

Our DCMs were trained as subject matter experts in:

Insurance Literacy: Navigating complex policy language, understanding “Actual Cash Value” (ACV) vs. “Replacement Cost Value” (RCV), and identifying “underinsured” gaps and when to make an appeal to the insurance company or FEMA.
Claims Processing: Assisting survivors in documenting losses and appealing denied claims to maximize private recovery funds before tapping into public or philanthropic resources.
The Recovery Roadmap: Moving survivors through a phased approach—from stabilization to rebuild—ensuring that every family has a tailored, achievable path home.

Pillar 3: The Neighbor Recovery Fund (NRF)

To ensure that Arbor Day Tornado funding was aligned for maximum impact, eight major funding organizations engaged into a Community Bank Model, called the Neighbor Recovery Fund. This centralized fund, totaling $1.6 million, revolutionized how investments were made among more than 46+ households and 102 unmet needs across Douglas and Washington Counties.

The Neighbor Recovery Fund “Community Bank Model” was made possible by the following funding partner agencies:

The Salvation Army
Omaha Community Foundation
Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church
Washington County Long Term Recovery Group
First Lutheran Church of Blair
Heartland Hope Mission
COPE Elkhorn
The Society of Saint Vincent dePaul

Each of these organizations is a member of the Tri-County Long Term Recovery Coalition and thus were aligned and ready to join the Neighbor Recovery Fund as a united collaboration on behalf of tornado survivors.

The “Community Bank” Mechanics

Instead of families applying to six different grants, they call 211 or they work directly with their own Disaster Case Manager to apply. The NRF operates on a collective impact principle:

Unified Deployment: Decisions are made by a Rapid Review Panel of agencies, thereby ensuring equitable distribution and a focus on the donor intention for the funds.
Efficiency: Reduced administrative overhead by centralizing the vetting process through the DCM workforce. Using one system and one, neutral facilitator, the Community Bank partners can commit to the county or specific need that aligns with their criteria.
Impact Metrics: To date, the NRF has served 46+ families and distributed $864,037 across Arbor Day Tornado-impacted survivors.

Metric	Achievement
Approximate Initial Fund Value	$1.6 Million
Families Served	46+
Funds Distributed	$864,037
Participating Funders	8 Organizations

Conclusion: A Scalable Blueprint

The success of the Arbor Day Tornado recovery demonstrates that when community assets are organized, case managers are specialized, and funding is centralized, the timeline for recovery is drastically shortened. This blueprint serves as a scalable model for any municipality facing the aftermath of a natural disaster.

Work continues to capture this established infrastructure in a shared coalition manual for replication in future large-scale disasters. Douglas County Emergency Management Agency has committed to convene the first long-term recovery coalition in the event of a future disaster, using the current protocol. The Red Cross and Salvation Army have stepped in as anchor institutions to lead the future volunteer and physical donations processes. Finally, the coalition facilitated local planning sessions to help curate key resources across Douglas County to utilize in the event of the next disaster. These maps continue to grow resources and remain a critical resource for emergency response.

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2025 Nonprofit Workshop Series: Resources & Presentations

Molly Mullen — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:46:30 +0000

The 2025 Nonprofit Workshop Series was designed to strengthen nonprofit capacity, build community trust, and provide valuable insights into key topics identified by local organizations. Hosted by the Omaha Community Foundation in partnership with nonprofit experts, these workshops covered essential areas such as grant writing, financial management, strategic planning, and more. Whether you attended a session or want to catch up on what was covered, this page serves as a hub for all materials and presentations.

Workshop Presentations & Recaps

OCF 101: Understanding the Omaha Community Foundation

This session introduced nonprofits, board members, and financial advisors to the Omaha Community Foundation’s role in supporting local organizations. Participants gained insights into available funding opportunities, donor-advised funds, and strategies to strengthen collaboration with OCF.

Download the Presentation

Agency Funding: Building Financial Stability

This workshop focused on equipping nonprofits with tools to strengthen financial stability through endowments, emergency funds, and strategic banking relationships. Participants learned how to prepare for future funding needs and explore OCF’s financial support options.

Download the Presentation

Fiscal Sponsorship Fundamentals

This workshop aimed to help nonprofit leaders, board members, and community groups understand the structure and benefits of fiscal sponsorship. Participants explored key elements such as roles, agreements, financial oversight, and how this model can support emerging projects or initiatives without 501(c)(3) status.

Download the Presentation

Winning Grants

This workshop provided a practical overview of fiscal sponsorship, including the roles, responsibilities, and agreements involved in the model. Led by One Omaha and The Foundry Community, the session helped attendees explore how fiscal sponsorship can support nonprofit growth, expand community impact, and provide financial and administrative structure for emerging projects.

Download the Presentation

Navigating Funder Relationships to Sustain Support

Strong relationships with funders are key to long-term sustainability and deeper impact. This interactive session covered strategies for donor recognition, communicating outcomes effectively, framing operating support requests, and low-cost tools for prospect research.

Download the presentation

Developing a Strategic Plan for Growth

Strategic planning is more than a document, it’s a powerful tool to align an organization’s mission, goals, and resources. This session explored the purpose of strategic planning, how it supports organizational success across departments, and how to get started or strengthen an existing plan.

Download the presentation

Partnerships, Collaborations & Mergers

When does it make sense to formally join forces with another organization, and when is a strategic partnership the better path? How can nonprofits build toward long-term sustainability through collaboration? And what role can fundraising play in making these strategies a reality?

Download the presentation

More resources: Download the Memorandum of Understanding template, the partnership explorer tool, and the strategic alignment spectrum.

Strengthening Nonprofit Finance

This interactive session focused on financial best practices, including cash flow planning, budgeting, forecasting, and how to present financial information clearly to stakeholders. It included aligning an annual budget with mission growth for long-term sustainability.

Download the presentation

Exploring Nonprofit Business Models

In today’s rapidly changing landscape, nonprofit leaders must understand not only how to fulfill their mission but also how to sustain it. This workshop explored the spectrum of nonprofit business models, from traditional funding strategies to innovative, revenue-generating approaches that are reshaping the sector.

Download the presentation

The Nonprofit Lifecycle

Every nonprofit goes through predictable stages of development, from startup to maturity and beyond. Understanding where your organization stands on that journey can help you plan strategically and lead with clarity.

Download the presentation

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How to Support Wildfire Relief Efforts in Los Angeles County

Omaha Community Foundation — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:05:54 +0000

As wildfires continue to devastate communities in Los Angeles County and beyond, thousands of families, businesses, and first responders need immediate assistance. If you would like to contribute to the relief efforts, here are trusted organizations that are making an impact:

Monetary Donations

California Community Foundation: Donate to their Wildfire Recovery Fund to support intermediate recovery and long-term relief for affected communities.
Pasadena Community Foundation: Contribute to the Eaton Canyon Fire Relief Fund to aid recovery efforts in the Pasadena area.
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: Provide vital equipment such as fire shelters and hydration packs to first responders through their donation page.
American Red Cross: Support shelter, food, and medical services by donating via their website, calling 800-733-2767, or texting REDCROSS to 90999.
California Fire Foundation: Give to their Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund to assist impacted residents statewide.
Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is currently accepting donations through the Emergency Disaster Fund to help meet the urgent need across Southern California.
World Central Kitchen: Help provide nourishing meals to first responders and families in need by donating online at World Central Kitchen.

Stay updated on the latest needs by visiting the websites of these organizations. You can support any of the organizations above directly from your Omaha Community Foundation fund by logging into your online account. If you have questions about how to contribute, please contact us at giving@OmahaFoundation.org or (402) 342-3458.

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Non-cash assets can be a great giving opportunity

Donna Kush — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 16:50:19 +0000

Know which type of asset donation will do the most good in the community and provide you with the biggest tax benefit.

There is still time to plan for your charitable giving, and there are many options beyond writing a check. Sometimes, utilizing other assets can have the dual advantages of maximizing tax benefits for you and your family and allowing you to give more to nonprofits. This ensures that your donations have the greatest impact in the community while also providing you with the most tax advantages possible.

While cash is easy to donate, it may not be the right option for all situations. Below are some examples of non-cash assets you can donate that will benefit your favorite nonprofits and your tax planning.

Charitable IRA Rollover

If you own an IRA, a Charitable IRA Rollover (also known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution) is a tax-savvy way to use your retirement assets during your lifetime to make charitable gifts.

If you are 70½ or older, you can donate up to $105,000 in 2024 ($210,000 for a married couple) from an IRA directly to a charitable organization, including a fund at the Omaha Community Foundation. The donation is excluded from your taxable income and counts toward your required minimum distribution if you are required to take one.

The Charitable IRA rollover operates separately from the percentage rules that limit the tax benefit of individual charitable giving. So, if you are inclined to give more than the standard deduction, this rollover is a great option for you. You may find that the rollover provides greater tax savings than cash donations because your adjusted gross income is lower.

In addition, if you name a nonprofit as a full or partial beneficiary on your IRA or other retirement accounts, neither you nor your heirs will pay taxes on that portion of the distribution.

Real Estate

Donating real estate is another fantastic way to support causes you care about. It is also one of the most financially beneficial types of gifts for donors.

As with gifts of other long-term appreciated assets, donating real estate to a charitable organization, such as a Donor Advised Fund at the Omaha Community Foundation, is generally deductible at the property’s fair market value at the time of the gift and avoids capital gains taxes. That means the charity will receive more value from the property donation than if you sold the property then donate the proceeds.

Your real estate donation can also support nonprofits for years to come with a Charitable Remainder Trust. The trust produces income for you during your lifetime, then the remainder goes to a charitable organization of your choice named as your beneficiary. Naming a Donor Advised Fund at the Omaha Community Foundation as your beneficiary has a variety of benefits: the ability to support organizations directly from the fund, working with us to leverage our deep knowledge of the community and its needs, and building a lasting legacy your family can continue to participate in.

The income tax deduction takes place when your property is transferred into the trust based on the present value of the assets that will eventually go to the charity.

Business Interests and Stocks

Business owners can also take advantage of tax-wise charitable giving. If you plan to sell your business, pass it to the next generation, or hold long-term highly-appreciated stock, consider donating some of your closely held or publicly traded stock to your favorite nonprofit.

Donating stock outright avoids capital gains tax. The transaction results in more dollars to support causes than you would have had if you had sold the asset, paid capital gains, and given the remaining proceeds to charity.

This is the perfect time of the year to think through how to enhance tax planning while supporting your community.

If you have any questions about charitable giving, reach out to the team at the Omaha Community Foundation about ways to increase your impact with the most tax-effective method: 402-342-3458 or giving@omahafoundation.org.

Disclaimer: This blog provides an overview of the possible tax advantages of donating non-cash assets and is not intended to provide tax or legal guidance. The Omaha Community Foundation recommends discussing these strategies with your accountant, financial advisor or attorney.

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Announcing the 2024 Community Interest Funds report: Strengthening communities through resident-led grantmaking

Omaha Community Foundation — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 16:06:28 +0000

The Omaha Community Foundation is excited to announce the release of the 2024 Community Interest Funds report, showcasing the power of resident-led grantmaking across five grant programs. These funds, driven by the leadership and expertise of local committee members, reflect the needs and priorities of metro-area residents.

What You’ll Find Inside

Record Number of Requests: In 2024, we received 240 applications requesting $3.8 million in funding. The committees awarded 90 grants totaling $845,000 to local nonprofits and neighborhood groups.
Key Insights: From Arts & Culture to Community initiatives, explore which focus areas received the most funding requests.
Committee Perspectives: Hear from committee members who helped shape the 2024 funding decisions.

For a detailed look at the 2024 Community Interest Funds and all of the supported projects, view the full 2024 report now.

Why Resident-Led Grantmaking Matters

At the heart of our Community Interest Funds is the belief that those closest to the issues should lead the solutions. By placing decision-making power in the hands of community members, we ensure that grant funds are used where they can have the greatest impact.

Support Community-Driven Change

Interested in supporting this work? Donate to the Community Interest Funds to help strengthen local nonprofits and neighborhoods.

DONATE

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Where to give to support tornado victims in Nebraska and Iowa

Omaha Community Foundation — Wed, 15 May 2024 23:53:27 +0000

Tornadoes swept through eastern Nebraska and western Iowa on Friday, April 26, destroying homes and businesses in the path of the storm. As the emergency response continues, we know many people want to help and lend support to the individuals and families dealing with this emergency.

The team at the Omaha Community Foundation compiled a list of organizations that are supporting the immediate needs and long-term recovery efforts of those affected by the storm. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list.

Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund – The Omaha Community Foundation established this fund to support immediate and long-term recovery efforts. The Omaha Community Foundation partners with nonprofit organizations across the Omaha metro area and across the state of Nebraska.
Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund – The Community Foundation for Western Iowa supports communities through this fund. Donations will support Iowa nonprofit partners, communities, disaster relief organizations, and public health organizations who are on the front line of disaster relief efforts.
American Red Cross – Omaha-Council Bluffs & SW Iowa Chapter – The American Red Cross set up emergency shelters for tornado victims and is responding to communities in Nebraska and Iowa.
Christian Outreach Program – Elkhorn (COPE) – provides food, clothing, household items, diapers and personal care products. COPE also provides case management and financial assistance for rent and utilities.
Heartland Hope Mission – Operating as a long-term crisis response center, assisting families with finding new homes, coordinating cleanups, and offering long-term case management.
Omaha Rapid Response – Provides volunteer support during crises.
Salvation Army – Providing on-site assistance in communities hit by the storms in Nebraska and Iowa.

OCF Fundholders: To make a grant through your OCF fund, please visit your OCF online account, contact your relationship manager, or call the Donor Services team at 402-342-3458.

If you have been impacted by the tornadoes, please call 211 or visit ne211.org to be connected to service providers.

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The Community Foundation Edge

Omaha Community Foundation — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:58:50 +0000

Advisors frequently comment that they’re surprised to discover the many ways the Omaha Community Foundation can help their clients, especially compared with national Donor Advised Fund programs. Here are three examples of the types of comments community foundations have heard from professional advisors:

“I didn’t realize that the community foundation’s Donor Advised Fund offering was so much more than just an online account. My clients have loved getting to know other donors, accessing first-hand knowledge about what’s going on in the community, and being able to involve their children in philanthropic events and activities.”
“I’m amazed at the variety of funds the community foundation can administer. Many of my clients have established Donor Advised Funds and have also augmented their philanthropic planning with a specialized fund such as a Designated Fund or Field-Of-Interest Fund. A big bonus for my retirement-age clients is that the community foundation can receive a Qualified Charitable Distribution from a client’s IRA into some of these specialized funds.”
“My clients who sit on nonprofit boards have been so happy that grants from Donor Advised Funds–their own and others’–count toward the IRS’s public support test. That’s really helped new organizations in our community get off the ground.”

The Donor Services team at the Omaha Community Foundation is a resource and sounding board as you serve your clients. We understand the charitable side of the equation and are happy to collaborate as you manage the relationship with your clients.

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Omaha Home for Boys Branches Out when Providing Permanent Housing and Life Skills with ARPA Funds

Molly Mullen — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 21:10:09 +0000

Youth in the foster care system and those who have aged out of the system face a higher rate of negative life outcomes than their peers. They are more likely to become homeless, face teen pregnancy and experience the juvenile justice system. A recent study stated that only 58% will graduate from high school by the age of 19 and fewer than 3% will earn a college degree. The odds are not in their favor.

As a teenager in the foster care system, Maggie’s cards were stacked against her. She lacked motivation and the support of a trusted adult to encourage her aspirations. The absence of a stable foundation made her path to success seem out of reach.

Maggie’s life took a turn when she connected with the staff at the Omaha Home for Boys. This marked the beginning of a life-changing chapter for her, thanks to the guidance and support provided by her Independent Living Specialist from OHB.

This specialist at OHB is part of the larger Branching Out Independent Living Program. Branching Out assists young adults in developing the skills and confidence needed to live successfully on their own. This program is partially funded by the $260,000 The City of Omaha’s ARPA Community Grant Program.

Maggie’s journey to becoming an independent adult began with the basics – driver’s education, budgeting classes and resume writing. From there, she worked on saving for a car and eventually moved into her first apartment where her newfound independence flourished.

Maggie’s educational support at OHB was also a tremendous building block to help her reach her goals. She graduated from high school, and with encouragement from her Specialist, she applied for a scholarship.

“It’s a big blessing on my end to have this scholarship. I’m so glad I have the opportunity to use it,” she said.

Today, as an independent adult, Maggie has beat the odds that so many former foster care youth succumb to. Only three or four percent of youth who age out of foster care earn a four-year degree.

“It makes me feel really blessed. I’ve had this amazing support system on my side since I started this program,” she shared. “They’ve helped throughout everything – high school, college, my homelessness. I wouldn’t be here where I’m at without it.”

Maggie is on track to graduate from college with her Criminal Justice degree in May and hopes to pursue a Master’s Degree after that.

OHB’s ultimate goal is to equip youth, young adults, and families with the skills and confidence needed to succeed.

ABOUT THIS STORY

The City of Omaha partnered with the Omaha Community Foundation to administer the ARPA Community Grant Program because of the foundation’s work with local nonprofits and awareness of community needs. The grant program focused on providing funding to expand or enhance existing programs in areas of Crisis Intervention & Violence Prevention, and Workforce Development.

The City of Omaha ARPA Community Grant Program awarded $9.6 million to 35 nonprofit organizations. Eligible programs included youth programs such as mentoring, gang prevention and intervention, mental health, crisis response, and assistance to unemployed workers including workforce readiness training, certification, and employment services.

See all City of Omaha ARPA Community Grant Program grant recipients.

This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0230 awarded to the City of Omaha by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

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