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Tri-County LTRG Honored with Good Neighbor Award for Ongoing Tornado Recovery Work

Molly Mullen — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 17:13:13 +0000

The Tri-County Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) recently received the Good Neighbor Award from the American Red Cross, recognizing its steady humanitarian leadership following the Arbor Day tornadoes of 2024. The award highlights the coalition’s unique strength: a flexible, latticed system that adapts to changing needs across Douglas and Washington counties while keeping survivor support at the center.

This work is part of a broader recovery effort supported by nonprofits, government agencies, volunteer groups, and philanthropic partners. After the initial crisis response ended, the Omaha Community Foundation established the LTRG and hired a Disaster Recovery Coordinator, Sarah Sjolie, to bring structure, communication, and coordination to the long-tail challenges that follow a disaster. Today, the coalition manages casework, unmet needs, volunteer coordination, resource navigation, and community assessments, all while planning for future emergencies.

“A community foundation exists to meet needs as they arise, even in times of great challenge,” said Anne Meysenburg, OCF Director of Community Investment. “By understanding what our community requires and helping to build the LTRG, we demonstrate our commitment to resilience and recovery.”

The impact is already visible in the lives of survivors. One example is Max, a single father and non-native English speaker who spent his savings on repairs and basic expenses after a divorce. Facing the real possibility of homelessness, he connected with the LTRG and received support through the Neighbor Recovery Fund. That assistance covered critical repairs and debris removal, stabilizing his home and giving him a path forward as he returns to work and parenting.

At the same time, the LTRG is helping navigate deeply complex recovery cases that require legal support, technical expertise, and patient coordination. Blair Freeman, the coalition’s survivor owner’s representative, is currently supporting an elderly Washington County resident whose home shifted off its foundation and is no longer structurally secure. Insurance denied the claim, leaving her with few financial options and significant safety concerns. The LTRG is working with partners to explore viable reconstruction paths while ensuring she remains rooted in her community. Cases like this reveal the depth of coordination required to guide survivors through situations no household can navigate alone.

“For the Long-term Recovery Group, they get plugged in wherever the need changes,” said Laura Contreras, OCF Senior Program Manager. “If the group determines that the need changes, the structure stays the same. This is a latticed approach that can be flexed for the needs of the moment.”

To date, the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund, launched by the Omaha Community Foundation in the immediate aftermath of the April 2024 Arbor Day tornadoes, has deployed a total of $1,103,357 to support impacted families. A key component of this effort is the Neighbor Recovery Fund, a collaborative initiative that helps fill financial gaps for households still rebuilding. In partnership with The Salvation Army, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, First Lutheran Church in Blair, and the Washington County Long-Term Recovery Group, more than $739,000 has been committed across 93 approved requests, directly supporting 41 households with urgent needs like home repairs, debris removal, moving expenses, and other essential needs. These investments reflect a region-wide commitment to helping survivors rebuild and regain stability long after the initial emergency.

More than a year after the tornado, the work continues. With each home repair, case management milestone, volunteer effort, and community partnership, the LTRG is helping survivors regain stability while strengthening the region’s long-term resilience.

The post Tri-County LTRG Honored with Good Neighbor Award for Ongoing Tornado Recovery Work appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

Building a Habit of Giving That Grows Over Time

Molly Mullen — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:01:01 +0000

A Q&A with Karen Pesek, Director of Finance at Pesek Law

Your clients rely on your guidance to make important financial decisions. When it comes to charitable giving, we can partner with you to simplify their giving and amplify their impact. But don’t just take our word for it. Hear from professionals in the field like Karen Pesek, Director of Finance at Pesek Law and co-leader of the firm’s community service initiatives.

With a strong focus on helping families align charitable giving with financial planning, Karen believes generosity is less about the size of a gift and more about intention, habit, and long-term impact. In this Q&A, she shares why she values the Omaha Community Foundation as a trusted partner that makes giving accessible, flexible, and meaningful for donors at every stage.

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

Yes. For example, many people think you need a large sum of money to get started with philanthropy. The truth is, even small gifts can have a meaningful impact, especially when paired with matching agreements that multiply the effect of donations. Giving is less about the size of the check and more about the habit of generosity and the intention behind it.

What are the questions come up about philanthropy?

A common question is how philanthropy can help lower taxes while also creating a positive impact in the causes people care about. Donors often want to understand how they can align their charitable giving with both their financial planning and their values, so they’re making a difference in the most effective way possible.

How can advisors prompt clients to think about legacy planning?

Advisors should begin these conversations early, especially with individuals who have the potential to become significant donors over time. It’s not always easy to identify who will step fully into philanthropy, but one thing is clear: people who make a habit of giving when they don’t have much will give even more when they have greater resources. Education and accessibility are key; by offering information and options early, advisors can help clients build a tradition of giving that includes their children and future generations.

What makes OCF a good partner to facilitate giving goals?

The Omaha Community Foundation has a strong reputation for stability, trust, and long-term stewardship. Omaha’s philanthropic community is diverse and vibrant, and OCF serves as a central, reliable hub where people can come together to do good. Their staff is accessible and knowledgeable, which inspires confidence. Another advantage is flexibility: donations can be made in cash or stock, making it easier for donors who want to give in specific ways.

How does opening an account with OCF simplify giving?

Having a fund at OCF creates simplicity and trust. For example, during capital campaigns, being able to receive large donations immediately is invaluable. Donors know their money is safe, designated for philanthropic purposes, and managed by a trusted partner. That sense of security and accountability builds an additional layer of confidence that the funds will be used as intended.

Is there anything else you would like to say about the philanthropic spirit of Omaha?

Omaha is a small big town, and its philanthropic spirit reflects that. There’s a unique closeness here—people are deeply connected and invested in making the city thrive. OCF is a powerful tool that brings like-minded people together, allowing their combined efforts to build the community we are so proud of today.

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 Building a Habit of Giving That Grows Over Time appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

How the OBBBA Could Impact Year-End Charitable Giving

Omaha Community Foundation — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:59:50 +0000

Deyna Rouse, Assistant Professor of Practice, Creighton’s Heider College of Business

Vanessa Denney, Vice President of Donor & Philanthropic Services, Omaha Community Foundation

With the passage of Public Law 119-21, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), several major changes to the tax treatment of charitable contributions take effect in 2026. That makes 2025 the perfect year to review your giving strategy and maximize the after-tax impact of your generosity. Here are two powerful tools to consider before year-end.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs

If you’re age 70½ or older and hold an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) of up to $108,000 in 2025 directly to a qualified charity. Doing so keeps that amount out of your taxable income, which can lower your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and help preserve other tax benefits that phase out at higher income levels.

Although QCDs don’t generate an additional charitable deduction, the ability to exclude the distribution from AGI often provides a greater overall tax advantage—especially when the funds aren’t needed for living expenses.

OCF offers multiple vehicles for QCDs including:

Designated Funds: allows donors to support specific nonprofits or causes over time, with the Foundation managing annual grants to ensure the original intent of the gift is achieved.

Field of Interest Fund: allows donors to target their gifts to address a specific need in the community (geriatric care, the arts, food insecurity, etc.) and our grant committee finds projects and groups that are making an impact in that area.

The “Bunching” Strategy for Charitable Gifts

The current standard deduction for 2025, the amount available to reduce taxable income without any specific spending, is $31,500 for married couples filing jointly and $15,750 for single filers. This means many taxpayers will no longer itemize deductions, potentially reducing the tax benefit of annual charitable donations.

If your typical yearly giving brings you close to the standard deduction threshold, consider “bunching” donations—combining two years of charitable contributions into one tax year. By doubling up gifts in 2025, you may exceed the standard deduction and itemize, maximizing your deduction in one year and taking the larger standard deduction the next.

This approach is particularly effective for those without mortgage interest deductions, who are less likely to itemize. With another 2% increase to the standard deduction expected in 2026, timing your giving at the end of 2025 could make your dollars go further.

A fund with OCF gives you time to distribute your donations on your own timeline. You can take the bunching deduction for 2025 and then decide over time which organizations to grant your funds to. Our Donor Advisors can strategize with you to support areas of greatest needs in the community or make gifts to organizations that are already important to you.

OCF Makes Charitable Giving Simple, Even When Laws Change

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is reshaping how individuals, families, and financial advisors think about charitable giving. Planning now, before the 2026 changes take effect, can help you maximize tax efficiency while living your values through charitable giving.

We at OCF can collaborate closely with you and your financial advisor, attorney, or CPA to design giving strategies that meet both your personal and financial objectives. With numerous giving vehicles, our expertise ensures that every charitable dollar works harder for you and for our community.

The post How the OBBBA Could Impact Year-End Charitable Giving appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

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

The post 2025 Nonprofit Workshop Series: Resources & Presentations appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

Starting the Conversation: Philanthropy Across Generations

Molly Mullen — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:56:59 +0000

For many Omaha families, giving back is part of their identity, something learned from previous generations and passed on to the next. Teaching and practicing philanthropy as a family can solidify family values and develop community connections across generations.

As families prepare to spend time together in the coming weeks, parents and grandparents have a unique opportunity to bring philanthropy into the conversation. Discussing giving back, community impact, and personal values can help families align values, build traditions, and start a legacy.

For advisors and CPAs, encouraging these conversations is both timely and effective. Stacie Neussendorfer, Senior Lead Advisor at Foster Group, notes, “Several recent studies have shown that clients want their advisors to discuss charitable giving with them, so the first step is to have that conversation.”

These conversations often start with simple actions. Families can start with:

Discussing the causes they care about

Visiting a local nonprofit

Volunteer together to gain a firsthand understanding of community needs

Neussendorfer adds, “I love the idea of teaching the next generation to give, and one of the easiest ways is by using a fund at the Omaha Community Foundation. We have grandparents who are using these to teach their grandchildren by bringing them together and allocating each grandchild a certain amount to give to a charity of their choice each year.”

Experiences like these bring families closer while nurturing the next generation’s understanding of philanthropy. “The grandchildren get to spend time with their grandparents and cousins, learning about different charitable organizations while establishing a pattern of giving,” Neussendorfer says. “While there may be many animal-related recipients among the younger grandchildren, as they grow and develop different interests, it is fun to see the various types of charities each child chooses to support.”

Some families are taking these lessons further by giving through their OCF funds to local nonprofits during the holidays rather than exchanging traditional gifts. Whether through shared experiences or new giving structures, the key is intentional communication. As Neussendorfer summarizes, “This is a great way to get started on including children or the next generation, but what it really boils down to is talking with your family members about helping others and what causes are important to them.”

OCF provides flexible, local tools that make multigenerational giving easy to structure and manage:

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) allow families to make giving decisions together and name children or grandchildren as successor advisors.

Field of Interest Funds connect giving to specific issue areas, helping younger generations see the collective impact of pooled philanthropy.

Generation-Skipping Trusts can preserve wealth and charitable intent across generations while providing potential tax advantages.

Whether families want to introduce children or grandchildren to philanthropy, create a long-term structure for family giving, or simplify their charitable plans, OCF offers expert support and local insight.

To learn more about how we can help make giving part of your or your clients’ family legacy, contact the Omaha Community Foundation’s Donor Services team at giving@omahafoundatoin.org or visit omahafoundation.org

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Make the Most of Your Year-End Giving

Molly Mullen — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:55:46 +0000

As the year draws to a close, the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF) is here to help you maximize your charitable impact while meeting important tax and giving deadlines. Whether you plan to make a gift to your Donor Advised Fund (DAF), contribute appreciated stock, or establish a new charitable fund, thoughtful preparation now ensures your giving goals are met before December 31.

Why Consider Non-Cash Assets

Donating appreciated assets instead of cash can be a powerful giving strategy, especially before year-end. When you contribute non-cash assets directly to OCF, you may eliminate capital gains taxes and receive a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the gift. This helps you give more while supporting the causes you care about most.

Common non-cash assets include:

Publicly traded securities such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds

Privately held business interests, including LLCs and limited partnerships

Real estate, farmland, or other property

Life insurance policies

Retirement plan assets

By donating these assets directly, rather than selling them first, you can make a greater philanthropic impact and potentially increase your overall tax efficiency.

2025 Year-End Giving Deadlines

To ensure your gifts are processed by December 31, please note the following important deadlines:

Complex assets like real estate, closely held business interests or stock, and legacy gifts: Initiate by December 9

Wire and ACH transfers: Must be received into OCF bank accounts by December 31

Check contributions: Must be postmarked by December 31

Grant recommendations from your fund: Submit by December 29 to allow time for year-end processing

Online gifts: Can be made through your donor portal or at omahafoundation.org until 11:59 p.m. on December 31

If you plan to give complex assets such as stock, real estate, or business interests, it is best to start the process early so all paperwork and valuations can be completed before year-end.

Partnering for Impact

At OCF, we work closely with donors and their professional advisors to streamline complex giving, align philanthropic goals, and ensure charitable intent is fulfilled. Our team can handle the administrative details of processing non-cash gifts and provide charitable receipts for your records, making it simple to give with confidence and purpose.

Get Started Today

The final weeks of the year offer an opportunity to reflect on your values and invest in the future of our community. Whether you are an advisor guiding clients or a donor shaping your own legacy, OCF is here to help.

Contact Kathy Schubauer, Director of Donor Services, at 402-614-9510 or kathy@omahafoundation.org to discuss your year-end strategy, explore options for giving non-cash assets, or open a new fund that supports the causes most meaningful to you.

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How Local Giving Powers Omaha: A Conversation with Vanessa Denney

Omaha Community Foundation — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:21:15 +0000

Trenton Magid and guest cohost Dave Fanslau, the City of Omaha’s director of planning, sat down with Vanessa Denney, vice president of donor and philanthropic services at the Omaha Community Foundation. Their conversation explored Giving Tuesday, trends in charitable giving, and how local donors can make a meaningful impact heading into year-end.

Grow Omaha: Vanessa, thanks for joining us. To start, give us the 30,000-foot view of the Omaha Community Foundation.

Vanessa: Thank you for partnering with us, Trenton. We’ve been in existence for over 40 years. We offer a variety of giving tools to help donors like yourself who want to give back to the community. Our goal is to help establish giving plans and use our community knowledge and expertise to ensure that donors who want to make a difference in the community can do so during their lifetime, but then also leave a lasting legacy that can make an impact on the Omaha community long term.

Grow Omaha: Giving Tuesday is coming up. What should people know about it?

Vanessa: Giving Tuesday is coming up Tuesday, December 2nd. It’s one of the largest giving days globally, but here in Omaha, it makes a significant impact every year. Omaha Community Foundation fund holders continue to play a major role in its success. And last year, we saw a 60% increase in grants to nonprofits through OCF charitable giving accounts. We count the donations that come through for the entire month of November in that total giving goal.

Grow Omaha: How long has Omaha been participating in Giving Tuesday?

Vanessa: It grew through a partnership with Share Omaha and has really became a major focus. It follows a national giving trend that we’re proud to support.

Grow Omaha: If someone wants to open a charitable giving account, how do they do it?

Vanessa: It’s simple. They can call us or visit our website. Because OCF is a 501(c)(3), donors can make one gift, receive one tax receipt, and then recommend grants over time to any qualifying nonprofit. We take care of the administrative details.

Grow Omaha: Omaha is known for generosity. How does local giving compare to other communities?

Vanessa: In 2024, OCF fundholders distributed $235.8 million through nearly 18,000 grants. Eighty percent of those dollars stayed in Douglas and Pottawattamie Counties. That level of local reinvestment says a lot about this community.

Grow Omaha: With so many ways to give, why do people choose the Omaha Community Foundation?

Vanessa: Our mission is to maximize the power of philanthropy to strengthen our community. We make giving easy, provide research and expertise, help donors engage their families, and step in where community needs and gaps exist. Recent examples include long-term recovery efforts after the Arbor Day tornadoes and the Food Relief Fund, which has already granted more than $120,000 to local food pantries.

Grow Omaha: What should people keep in mind as they plan their year-end giving?

Vanessa: Year-end is a busy time, so we encourage donors to reach out early. Many people are discussing charitable bunching, which involves making a larger contribution upfront to qualify for a deduction and then spreading their giving over time. With changes in the tax landscape, it’s a good idea to loop in your tax advisor as you plan.

Grow Omaha: Where can people find more information?

Vanessa: For Giving Tuesday details, visit the Omaha Community Foundation website or Share Omaha. And anyone interested in opening a fund or planning their giving can reach out to our team directly.

The post How Local Giving Powers Omaha: A Conversation with Vanessa Denney appeared first on Omaha Community Foundation.

2025 Year-End Giving Deadlines

Omaha Community Foundation — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:36:41 +0000

As we approach the end of 2025, the Omaha Community Foundation is here to assist with your year-end giving. The timing of your year-end charitable gifts affects your eligibility for a charitable income tax deduction in the 2025 tax year. As you move forward with your year-end giving, please keep the following deadlines in mind.

Gifts to Your OCF Fund

Publicly Traded Securities — Gifts of publicly traded securities must be received into OCF brokerage accounts by 3 p.m. Wednesday, December 31. We encourage you to communicate with your broker about your gift plans, as many brokerage firms have their own year-end deadlines. As a general rule, we recommend you initiate your gift at least 10 business days prior to the deadline. Before you initiate your gift, please contact a Donor Services team member who will provide you with the appropriate transfer instructions.

Complex Assets — Gifts of complex assets such as real estate, closely held business interests or stock, and legacy gifts should be discussed with our donor services advisor by December 9 to allow OCF’s Gift Acceptance Committee adequate time to review for approval and transfer by year-end.

Wire and ACH Transfers: Initiated at your bank — Wire and ACH transfers must be received into OCF bank accounts by December 31. We encourage you to communicate with your banker about your gift plans, as many banks have their own year-end deadlines.

ACH Transfers: Initiated from the fundholder’s OCF online account — Please initiate the transfer by December 17. Wire and ACH transfers must be received into OCF bank accounts by December 31.

Credit Cards — Online credit card contributions must be submitted via the fundholder’s online OCF account by 11:59 p.m. December 31.

Checks — For a mailed check to qualify as a 2025 gift, it must be mailed on or before Wednesday, December 31, and the mailing date must be verifiable. Due to new U.S. Postal Service (USPS) rules effective Dec. 24, 2025, standard postmarks are no longer a reliable way to confirm when a gift was mailed. To verify a December 31 mailing date, donors must hand the envelope directly to a USPS employee and use one of the following services:

A Postage Validation Imprint (PVI) purchased at the counter
A manual (local) postmark applied by USPS staff
Certified Mail, Registered Mail, or a Certificate of Mailing

*Checks placed in a mailbox or mailed using a self-service kiosk may not provide proof of a 2025 mailing date. Checks sent via private carriers such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL must be physically received at the OCF office on or before December 31.

Grants to Nonprofits from Your OCF Fund

Grant requests must be submitted to OCF through your OCF online account or via email by 5 p.m. Monday, December 29. The final day for processing grants to nonprofits in 2025 is Tuesday, December 30. Please note that the timing of grants does not impact eligibility for a charitable income tax deduction.

OCF Office Hours

The Omaha Community Foundation office will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 31.

Contact Us

Please contact a member of our Donor Services team at (402) 342-3458 or giving@omahafoundation.org with any questions you may have. The entire OCF team is deeply appreciative of your generosity this year and every year. Thank you for your dedication to our community.

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Early Giving Opens for #GivingTuesday402

Molly Mullen — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 06:53:18 +0000

The Omaha Community Foundation and SHARE Omaha are once again joining forces to spark generosity across our region through #GivingTuesday402. Starting November 1, donors can make early gifts that count toward the community’s total impact ahead of Giving Tuesday on December 2.

Early giving turns momentum into meaning. Each contribution made in November is included in Omaha’s Giving Tuesday totals, showcasing the power of local generosity to sustain the organizations that care for our neighbors.

“Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to maximize collective generosity in our community,” said Donna Kush, president and CEO of the Omaha Community Foundation. “As nonprofits face mounting challenges from an increased demand for services to rising operational costs, this one-day emphasis on giving plays an important role in sustaining the organizations that strengthen and serve our community.”

Research shows that communities with a coordinated Giving Tuesday effort raise nearly twice as much as those without one. Omaha has proven that time and again. Before SHARE Omaha launched its metro-wide campaign in 2019, Giving Tuesday brought in about $800,000. By 2024, local giving had grown to $3.7 million, totaling 30,000 gifts that reached 470 nonprofits across the metro.

Since 2019, donors in our region have contributed over $22.5 million on Giving Tuesday, helping hundreds of local nonprofits continue their vital missions. Nearly one in four donors last year supported a nonprofit that was new to them, demonstrating how this movement inspires both discovery and connection.

Omaha Community Foundation fundholders continue to play a major role in this success, with a 60% increase in grants to nonprofits through OCF charitable accounts last year. Many donors say the day motivates them to give more throughout the year, regardless of economic conditions.

This Giving Tuesday, you can help keep Omaha’s spirit of generosity growing. Make your gift directly through your Omaha Community Foundation fund or at SHAREomaha.org. Every contribution counts toward both Omaha’s community total and the global Giving Tuesday movement, reminding us that giving together makes a difference that lasts all year.

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Where to Give to Support Food Insecure Nebraskans

Omaha Community Foundation — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:09:10 +0000

More than 259,000 Nebraskans are currently food insecure. With recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), households are experiencing disruptions in their food benefits. To help ensure families have continued access to food, the City of Omaha has coordinated a community-wide effort to support local food pantries—an essential resource for many during this time.

The Omaha Community Foundation is partnering with the City to establish the Food Relief Fund, which will provide direct support to local organizations working to keep shelves stocked and families fed. You can contribute to this effort by donating to the Food Relief Fund or any of the organizations below.

“Since 2018, we’ve seen a fourfold increase in the number of households visiting our pantries, and we are on the verge of an ongoing food crisis,” said Tim Williams, Government Affairs and Advocacy Officer at Food Bank for the Heartland. “Just in one year alone, we’ve seen a 6.5% increase in people served alongside an 11% reduction in resources.”

Anyone can make a credit card donation to the relief fund. OCF Fundholders can also make an immediate impact by recommending a grant from their fund to support local food pantries or by contributing directly to the Food Relief Fund in partnership with the City of Omaha.

Below is a list of local organizations helping to meet the community’s food needs.

Food Bank for the Heartland	Regional hub that supplies food to 500+ partner pantries, schools, and programs across Nebraska and western Iowa.
Heart Ministry Center	Large, low-barrier choice pantry offering food and wraparound support.
Together Omaha	Choice pantry model with flexible access and multiple metro locations.
Hanscom Park United Methodist Church	The All People’s Pantry is a culturally inclusive pantry featuring African, Asian, and Latin American staples.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha	Operates food pantry and emergency assistance programs.
Heartland Hope Mission	Food assistance and household stability support.
Brookside Church – Brookside Care Center	Free food center integrated with basic needs services.
Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership	Food support and connections to broader stability resources.
Kountze Commons Community Outreach Center	Weekly, low-barrier pantry welcoming walk-ins.
Catholic Charities of Omaha	“The Market” is a choice pantry that emphasizes nutritious, culturally relevant foods.
Iglesia Luterana San Andres	Bilingual, church-based pantry serving South Omaha families.
House of Bah Foundation	Launching November 2, 2025, House of Bah will provide culturally affirming meal distributions for affected households, in partnership with Grammercy Park Collective and Green Line Café. Donations will help cover food and supply costs.
Christian Outreach Program Elkhorn	Operates a food pantry with a variety of fresh foods, meat, nonperishables, personal care items, diapers, clothing, and home furnishings to families in need.
Whispering Roots	Operates a 26,000-square-foot Community Food Hub to source, store, and distribute emergency food in the Omaha metro, serving over 40 partner organizations and addressing food access gaps not covered by the Food Bank.
Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue	Rescues and redistributes high-quality perishable foods—such as produce, dairy, and proteins—to nonprofit partners across the Omaha metro, reducing food waste while addressing hunger.
The Salvation Army – Burrows Center	This center provides a monthly food pantry, offering canned goods, frozen foods, boxed nonperishables, and fresh produce.
City of Omaha – Food Relief Fund	A fund established through the Omaha Community Foundation to collect donations and ensure local pantries receive support for households facing food insecurity.

Individuals seeking help can contact 211 for local food resources by calling 211, texting their ZIP code to 898211, or visiting NE211.org.

If you have questions about opening a fund or making a credit card donation, email giving@omahafoundation.org.

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