But don’t just take our word for it. Hear from professionals in the field like Brian Gough, shareholder at Hancock Dana. Brian specializes in private wealth and trust taxation, serving high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and executive teams. His experience as a Tax Partner at Hancock Dana and certification as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® equip him to guide clients through tax, estate, and gift planning with clarity and confidence. Brian is passionate about helping clients achieve their goals by designing financial strategies that align with their vision for success and legacy, while making it a priority to explain the process every step of the way.  

Are there any common misconceptions clients have about charitable giving or entering into the world of philanthropy?  

Many clients believe that making cash contributions or volunteering their time are the only assets that one can give to an organization to help further their cause. However, often, more unique assets can be contributed with the help of your CPA, financial advisor, estate planning attorney, and advisors from OCF. These include items such as naming OCF as a beneficiary of an IRA or retirement account, establishing a Charitable Remainder Trust or Charitable Lead Trust, contributing highly appreciated publicly traded securities, or contributing stock or an interest in a closely held family business through thoughtful planning. All of these can be ways clients can make meaningful philanthropic contributions to the organizations they care about without relying solely on cash or time.   

What are the questions you are most commonly asked as it relates to philanthropy?   

As a tax accountant, the most frequently asked question is, “Will I get a tax deduction for this?” When I can confirm that they will, they smile and seem more willing to give the asset away. When they are not able to itemize their deductions, they initially feel disappointed.  

However, I remind them that their motivation for giving stems from a desire to make a difference and leave a legacy, not just tax savings. The heart of philanthropy lies in the impact being made, not tax incentives, although that does help.  

How can advisors prompt clients to think about legacy planning or including their children or next generations in their charitable giving?   

As I bring on new clients or have annual check-ins with existing clients, I constantly ask if they have completed their will and estate planning documents. If they say yes, I follow up with: “When was the last time you reviewed or updated them?” Estate plans should be revisited every 3–5 years, after major life events, or in response to significant tax law changes, like the passage of the OBBBA. 

If clients haven’t started planning, we discuss the legacy they wish to leave for their family and community. This naturally leads to conversations about involving children or future generations in charitable giving. It’s an opportunity to align family values with philanthropic goals and encourage a culture of giving with the next generation.  

How does opening an account with OCF make giving simplified for you and your clients? 

Utilizing an OCF account can help streamline the giving process. A single check to OCF can be written at the time the gift is to be made, and the client will receive a single acknowledgment letter in return to provide to their tax accountant as the support needed for their tax return. There is then no need to track the tens or hundreds of acknowledgment letters as the funds are dispersed from the OCF account, a welcome relief to the client. 

Ready to Connect? 

• Download our advisor toolkit and access ready-to-share philanthropic resources.
   
• Schedule a personal session with our Donor Services Team. Ask for Joey Felici, Donor Services Senior Advisor 402-614-8530 or joey@omahafoundation.org 
   
• Explore CAP® training to elevate your philanthropic advising through our Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® program 

We look forward to partnering with you to serve your clients more effectively, and together, to grow a culture of meaningful giving in our community. 

The post Guiding Clients Through Philanthropy with Clarity and Confidence: Q&A with Brian Gough, Partner at Hancock Dana appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

The Director of Community Investment leads the Foundation’s grantmaking strategy and nonprofit capacity-building efforts, working closely with partners serving the community across the Omaha Metro. The Community Investment department draws on community data and nonprofit relationships to understand what’s happening across the region, then translates those insights into pathways for donors to engage in ways that are thoughtful, responsive, and informed by real needs. 

Over the past five years, Laura has been deeply involved in that work. Beginning as Program Manager and then Senior Program Manager, she has managed grant programs from start to finish, guiding application processes, supporting review committees, and communicating decisions and feedback to nonprofit partners. She has also helped lead special initiatives tied to some of the community’s most complex challenges, including COVID-era ARPA funding, food relief efforts, neighborhood recovery following the 2024 tornadoes, and responses to housing instability. 

Her work often brings clarity to situations that are still taking shape, drawing on both a strong understanding of the nonprofit landscape and close relationships with community partners. Through that work, she has helped translate donor intent into action and supported efforts that lead to visible, lasting impact across Omaha and the surrounding region. 

Many of her colleagues have experienced that steady leadership firsthand. One colleague noted, “Anyone who has worked with Laura has seen the thoughtfulness, care, and steady leadership she brings. She has built strong, trusted relationships across our community and within OCF, with a clear commitment to the Foundation’s mission.” 

When announcing this promotion, OCF President and CEO Donna Kush cited Laura’s deep understanding of local nonprofit and donor needs, her commitment to the community, and her strong work with the Foundation as reasons for the selection. 

Laura’s leadership also extends beyond the Foundation. She currently serves as Board President for the Latino Economic Development Council and has been involved with several local nonprofit boards. These experiences reflect the same commitment to the community that guides her work at OCF. 

As Director of Community Investment, Laura will continue to shape the Foundation’s grantmaking and partnerships while helping the organization stay closely connected to the people and organizations doing the work on the ground.

The post Laura Contreras Promoted to Director of Community Investment appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

Because strong nonprofits are essential to a healthy community, we have offered capacity‑building workshops for more than a decade. This May, we are launching a new workshop series focused on finance and compliance, collaboration and partnerships, grant writing and fundraising, and other core topics designed to strengthen operations and improve long‑term financial sustainability. These workshops mark the first step in a new collaboration framework the Omaha Community Foundation is introducing this year to provide leadership, resources, and meaningful connections for our community’s nonprofits. All workshops are in person and free to attend.

*The first workshop, Community Foundations and DAFs 101, is full, and the waitlist is full. We will send updates if we are able to schedule another session of this workshop later in the year.

Please watch for an invitation to upcoming nonprofit workshops. If you are not yet subscribed to the nonprofit mailing list, you can join here.

Upcoming Sessions

Future workshop topics include finance and budget basics, donor relations, marketing and communications, and board support. A complete list will be published here once details are finalized.

Nonprofit Finances 101

Strong financial practices help nonprofits make informed decisions, communicate clearly with board members and donors, and plan for long-term sustainability. Understanding how resources are managed and reported builds trust and credibility with funders while supporting day-to-day operations.

June 23: Nonprofit Finance 101

This session will focus on practical insights nonprofit leaders can use to strengthen financial stewardship and align their financial practices with their mission. Learn the fundamentals of the three primary financial statements, including key ratios and metrics. You will gain a deeper understanding of operating activities, balance sheets, and how to analyze cash utilization.

When:
Tuesday, June 23rd 2026
1-3 p.m.

Where:
Project Harmony
11949 Q St.
Omaha, NE 68137

This workshop would be beneficial for Executive Directors and Finance and Accounting professionals. Our July workshop (Basics of Budgeting) will build on this content and be taught by the same team.

This workshop will be taught by Deyna Rouse, MSTax, MAC, CPA, Assistant Professor at Creighton University and Vanessa Denney, Vice President of Donor & Philanthropic Services at OCF.

Questions about the workshop? Contact Danielle Saunders at danielle@omahafoundation.org.

If you are not yet subscribed to the nonprofit mailing list, you can join here for future workshop invitations.

The post New Learning Opportunities for Omaha-Area Nonprofits appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

This year, Omaha Venture Group awarded its largest total grant amount to date, providing $10,000 each to five organizations advancing new and emerging initiatives in Omaha. The event offered an opportunity not only to recognize these organizations but also to bring people together in support of ideas that are strengthening neighborhoods and expanding access to opportunity.

Attendees had the chance to connect directly with this year’s recipients and learn more about the work taking shape across the community. The five organizations represent a wide range of focus areas, reflecting OVG’s commitment to supporting innovative approaches across sectors:

The post Omaha Venture Group Marks Record Year of Grantmaking appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

Jill Lynch‑Sosa, Executive Director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha, shared those words as survivors, partners, and first responders gathered April 29 to mark two years since the Arbor Day tornadoes. For many in the room, her statement reflected not only the urgency of the days after the storm, but the sustained commitment required long after public attention faded. 

On April 26, 2024, multiple EF4 tornadoes cut a 32.5‑mile path across eastern Nebraska, damaging or destroying nearly 1,000 homes in Blair, Bennington, Elkhorn, Kennard, and Waterloo. The scale of destruction made clear early on that recovery would take time, coordination, and trust across agencies, counties, and communities. 

A Coordinated Response  

In the immediate aftermath, with early support from its board of directors, particularly Gail Graeve of Mutual of Omaha, the Omaha Community Foundation was called into action to support a meaningful and coordinated response. Over the following weeks, that call led to the creation of the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund and a broader strategy focused on long‑term recovery rather than short‑term relief alone. 

Donna Kush, President and CEO of the Omaha Community Foundation, said that early leadership set the tone for everything that followed. “After raising $1.3 million in donations for the Arbor Day Tornado recovery, OCF established the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund,” she said. “This enabled us to convene partners and invest in disaster case management, coalition building, and comprehensive coordination across affected communities.” 

Laura Contreras, Senior Program Manager at OCF, emphasized that the response was rooted in neighbors helping neighbors from the start. “They were able to support our community that they all live and work in, and so they wanted to be good neighbors and provide some support,” Contreras said following the commemoration. 

The Role of Disaster Case Managers 

At the center of the recovery effort were disaster case managers, who served as consistent, trusted guides for survivors navigating complex and often overwhelming decisions. Their work frequently involved sitting at kitchen tables, reviewing insurance policies line by line, helping families avoid fraudulent contractors, and staying engaged long after temporary aid ended. 

“This recovery effort was possible because so many partners stayed engaged over the long term and showed up in meaningful ways for survivors,” Contreras said. “From navigating complex cases to meeting immediate needs and building systems that will serve communities in the future, the work reflected a shared commitment to walking alongside neighbors for as long as it took.” 

Partners included:

• Christian Outreach Program of Elkhorn (COPE) – Nancy Lary
• East Central Long-Term Recovery Group – Jan Zurcher (not pictured)
• First Lutheran Church of Blair – Erika Cada (not pictured)
• Heartland Hope Mission – Kaylin Behrens, Michelle Rodgers
• Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Omaha – Jill Lynch-Sosa, Diego Padilla, Lily Reyes
• Meristem Consulting – Sarah Sjolie

Tangible Outcomes and Future Preparedness 

That coordination produced results felt both immediately and long term. Recovery partners augmented UNMC’s CASPER survey findings with direct supports for affected neighborhoods. Increased awareness helped leverage a private donation that ultimately covered remaining tornado‑related damage at a local cemetery. 

Community clean‑up days in Elkhorn and Washington County supported more than 15 homes, while two tree distribution events helped restore neighborhood tree canopy by providing 350 trees. Partners also facilitated two asset‑mapping events that identified more than 35 physical and people‑based resources Douglas County can draw on during future large‑scale weather events, strengthening local infrastructure for response. 

Two years after the storm, the gathering marked the conclusion of a formal recovery effort while recognizing the people and partnerships that made it possible to stay, adapt, and see the work through. 

The post Survivors and Partners Gather to Commemorate Arbor Day Tornado Recovery  appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

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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. 

The post What the 2025 Annual DAF Report Reveals for Omaha  appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

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.

The post Creating the Neighbor Recovery Fund: A Community Bank Model appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

But don’t just take our word for it. 

Hear from professionals in the field like Jerry O’Doherty, Partner at CPA firm Eide Bailly. A graduate of the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy program and a fundholder himself, Jerry brings both professional expertise and personal experience to conversations about philanthropy in Omaha. 

Tell us about your relationship with the Omaha Community Foundation. 

My relationship with OCF is multifaceted. I went through the CAP program, I have an account myself, and I stay connected by attending events and recommending clients to consider using OCF’s services. 

I first learned about the Charitable Checkbook from an OCF presentation I attended.  For charitably inclined clients who want to minimize income taxes before the end of the year but do not know which charity to give to, it is the easiest solution to present. If they want to build something more robust later, that can come in time. But this is an easy place to start. 

How does this relationship benefit your clients? 

In the public accounting world, most individuals specialize in audit or tax.  I began my career in the audit department.  I serve many clients in the not-for-profit industry, so I see the sector from their angle. It is important to me that my clients understand the philanthropic vehicles people are using in Omaha and how those tools can support their goals. 

For clients with charitable interests, what makes OCF a strong partner? 

It is seamless. OCF is easy to work with, and they are willing to sit down and have real conversations with clients. I recently introduced a client who was exploring what he wanted his giving to look like, and OCF listened carefully and responded thoughtfully. 

When I refer someone, I need to trust that the referral source will provide the person with a good experience. I know OCF is responsive and solutions-oriented. There are no hurdles. Recommending OCF reflects well on me as a professional because I know my clients will be well served. 

How can clients use OCF within their financial plans? 

At year-end, some clients need to give for tax reasons but are not ready to decide exactly where those dollars should go. A fund with OCF allows them to make the gift now, maximize tax benefits, and take time to be thoughtful about the grants they are giving. 

And frankly, it makes generosity easy. If you are having a rough day, you can log in and give money away. That is a pretty good reset button for your general outlook! 

How can advisors encourage clients to involve their children or the next generation in philanthropy? 

I believe it starts with estate planning. A surprising number of people plan to leave charitable gifts within their estate but have not shared that information with their families. Bringing children into those conversations now creates alignment and builds shared values long before a will is read. 

How has being a fundholder shaped your perspective? 

When you use something yourself, you can explain it mechanically and confidently. I know how simple the process is because I have done it. When you believe in a tool, it is easy to recommend it. Clients know if someone is authentic or not.   

What makes Omaha’s philanthropic culture unique? 

The generosity here is simply remarkable and it creates an atmosphere that feels like a friendly competition to do the most good. As a born-and-bred Omahan, I have seen people step up time and time again. For those who live here, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, no explanation will suffice.  That spirit of generosity is what defines Omaha and makes it such a wonderful place to live. 

The post A Conversation with Jerry O’Doherty, CPA Advisor and OCF Fundholder  appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.