Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6.3 million (fiscal 2020-2021)
• Total Assets: $130.8 million (June 2024)
• Grant Range: $250 - $10,000 (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs metro areas
• Decision Time: Varies by program
• Application Method: Mixed (rolling and fixed deadlines)

Contact Details

Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation

• Address: 333 S. 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154
• Phone: (402) 334-6498
• Website: https://www.jfofoundation.org

Key Staff:

• Amy Bernstein Shivvers, Executive Director: ashivvers@jewishomaha.org, (402) 334-6466
• Diane Walker, Fund & Scholarship Administrator: dwalker@jewishomaha.org, (402) 334-6551
• Jen Goodman, Scholarship and Grant Manager and Administrator
• Laurie Peatrowsky, Operations Manager

Overview

The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation was established in 1983 and became a separate non-profit corporation in 2004. With assets that have grown from $7.5 million in 1985 to $130.8 million in June 2024, the Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Omaha's Jewish community. The Foundation's mission is to gather, preserve and increase philanthropic giving to ensure the continuity and enhancement of Jewish life in Omaha. In fiscal year 2020-2021, the Foundation made $6.3 million in charitable distributions—$1.9 million from endowment funds (86% supporting Federation agencies) and $4.3 million from donor-advised funds. The Foundation manages 134 donor-advised funds, 119 teen donor-advised funds, 347 endowment, custodial or discretionary funds, and five supporting foundations. Through its Life & Legacy program, the Foundation has secured 685 legacy commitments from 339 individuals and couples with an estimated value of $25.6 million as of June 30, 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Anything Grants (funded by Staenberg Family Foundation)

• Grant Range: $1,000 - $5,000
• 50% matching requirement
• Project budget cannot exceed $10,000
• Since 2017, nearly $300,000 awarded
• Application Method: Annual cycle with fixed deadline

Kaiman Family Camp Grant

• $1,200 per overnight camper
• $250 per JCC day camper
• Not need-based
• Caps: 96 overnight campers, 100 day campers
• Application Method: Email for application link

Israel Experience Grant

• For students grades 9-12 or young adults ages 18-25
• One-time grant for approved Israel experiences
• Can cover domestic airfare for Birthright Israel trips
• Application Deadline: Typically late January

Jewish Experience Grant

• For children in grades 3-11
• Encourages attendance at Jewish summer residential camp
• Application Method: Contact foundation for details

Sokolof Merit Scholarships ($10,000 each)

• Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Scholarship (2 awards for graduating high school seniors)
• Health Care Scholarship (2 awards for college/university students pursuing healthcare)
• Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Scholarship (for music performance, composition, or education students)
• Application Deadline: April 1

College and Educational Scholarships

• Academic Excellence Scholarship
• Post-Secondary Scholarship (undergraduate/graduate/professional/vocational)
• Bennett G. Hornstein Endowment (for law students)
• Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust (undergraduate students)
• Bruce M. Fellman Charitable Foundation Trust (undergraduate students)
• Application Deadline: Typically late January

Priority Areas

The Foundation prioritizes funding that:

• Strengthens Jewish identity and community connection
• Supports Jewish education at all levels (preschool through graduate studies)
• Enables Jewish camping and Israel experiences for youth
• Sustains local Jewish agencies and synagogues in Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs
• Builds organizational capacity for Jewish non-profits (technology, professional development, facility improvements)

What They Don't Fund

Anything Grants Exclusions:

• Individuals or for-profit businesses
• Organizations without 501(c)3 status
• Projects that are part of larger capital campaigns
• Projects outside the Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs service area
• Non-Jewish organizations

Camp Grant Exclusions:

• Students enrolled year-round in Pennie Z. Davis Early Learning Center
• Non-Jewish camps (residential camps must be recognized by the Foundation)

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership:

• President: Stacey Erman Rockman
• Board of Directors: 18 Jewish community lay leaders

Executive Staff:

• Amy Bernstein Shivvers, Executive Director (began July 2022, fifth executive director)
• Diane Walker, Fund & Scholarship Administrator
• Jen Goodman, Scholarship and Grant Manager and Administrator
• Laurie Peatrowsky, Operations Manager

Stacey Erman Rockman, whose father Mike Erman was one of the founding members of the Foundation, stated: "I am proud to have been involved in the Jewish community of Omaha for my entire life. I have been lucky enough to serve on the boards of several synagogues, as well as serving multiple roles within the Jewish Federation of Omaha." She also noted: "My strength is the Jewish community that I have built for myself. There is no better group to seek advice or help from. We are all better together."

Regarding the Foundation's recent work, Rockman shared: "With new hire Amy Bernstein Shivvers at the helm, The Foundation has done an incredible job educating our community."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Anything Grants:

• Applications submitted through online portal
• Annual cycle with fixed deadlines (typically due in spring)
• Must demonstrate 50% matching funds (including in-kind donations)
• Projects must be completed within one year of award
• Contact Diane Walker for application link and guidance

Kaiman Family Camp Grant:

• Email Diane Walker at dwalker@jewishomaha.org for application link
• Complete application for each camper
• Provide camp details including session dates and tuition cost
• Payment made directly to camp; reimbursement available if already paid

Scholarships (Sokolof Merit):

• Submit by April 1 to: Sokolof Scholarship Coordinator, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, 333 S. 132 St., Omaha NE 68154
• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered

Other Scholarships and Grants:

• Deadlines vary by program (many in late January)
• All financial aid and scholarship awards require annual application
• Contact Diane Walker for specific program requirements

Decision Timeline

Anything Grants:

• Application deadline: Spring
• Selection completed: By late spring/early summer
• Projects must be completed: Within one year

Scholarships:

• Application deadlines: Late January to April 1 (varies by program)
• Decision timeline: Not publicly specified

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. Award decisions are based on the financial need of applicants (for need-based programs), the number of requests, and the amount of funds available.

Recent Award Examples:

• 2025 Sokolof Merit Scholarship Recipients: Miles "Mo" Blair, Joe Scioli (high school seniors); Julia Brodkey, Lillian Cohen (healthcare); Ainsley Meyerson (music); Ali Sherman (Outstanding Jewish Teacher) - each received $10,000

Reapplication Policy

All financial aid and scholarship awards require an annual application, indicating that recipients must reapply each year. Unsuccessful applicants are welcome to reapply in subsequent years. No specific waiting periods are mentioned for denied applicants.

Application Success Factors

For Anything Grants:

• Clearly demonstrate how your project will benefit the Jewish community in Omaha, Lincoln, or Council Bluffs
• Show specific, one-time needs rather than ongoing operational costs
• Provide detailed budget showing 50% matching funds are secured or have clear plan to secure them
• Projects related to organizational capacity building (technology, professional development, facility improvements) have been funded
• Keep project budget under $10,000 total
• Ensure project is realistic and can be completed within the specified timeframe

For Scholarships:

• Apply on time—late or incomplete applications will not be considered
• For need-based scholarships, provide complete financial information
• For merit scholarships (Sokolof), demonstrate strong academic performance, personal achievements, and community service
• Provide all required documentation with initial application

General Factors:

• The Foundation values confidentiality and handles all applications with discretion
• Contact Diane Walker or other staff early if you have questions about eligibility or application requirements
• For camp grants, ensure the camp is recognized by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation before applying
• Jewish community involvement and commitment to Jewish identity strengthening are valued

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic focus is strict: Must serve Jewish communities in Omaha, Lincoln, or Council Bluffs metro areas
• Multiple funding streams: Don't overlook smaller programs like camp grants; nearly $300,000 has been awarded in Anything Grants alone since 2017
• Annual applications required: Even if funded previously, you must reapply each year for ongoing needs
• Matching requirement for Anything Grants: Have a clear plan for securing the 50% match, including potential in-kind contributions
• Approachable staff: Diane Walker and the team are available to answer questions—reach out before applying if uncertain about eligibility
• Timing matters: Pay attention to deadlines as late applications are not accepted for some programs
• Foundation values sustainability: For ongoing projects applying to Anything Grants, demonstrate how the project will continue after grant funding ends

References

• Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Official Website: https://www.jfofoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
• About Us page: https://www.jfofoundation.org/about-us (accessed January 2026)
• Scholarships & Grants page: https://www.jewishomaha.org/jewish-youth-and-families/scholarships-grants/ (accessed January 2026)
• Anything Grant Application: https://www.jccomaha.org/anything-grant-application/ (accessed January 2026)
• Kaiman Family Camp Grant: https://www.jccomaha.org/kaiman-family-camp-grant/ (accessed January 2026)
• Sokolof Merit Scholarships: https://www.jfofoundation.org/sokolof-merit-scholarships (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (Form 990 data): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/201123519 (accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jewish-federation-of-omaha-foundation,201123519/ (accessed January 2026)
• "Profiles in Service: Stacey Rockman," The Jewish Press, May 2024: https://www.omahajewishpress.com/news/profiles-in-service-stacey-rockman/article_443482ac-1200-11ef-b2f5-cff0a5dee2d7.html (accessed January 2026)
• Donor-Advised Funds page: https://www.jfofoundation.org/DAFund (accessed January 2026)