United Way of the Midlands (Omaha, NE)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $28.7 million (FY 2024, total functional expenses per 990 filing)
• Success Rate: ~65-70% (highly competitive with 220+ applications for limited funding)
• Decision Time: Multi-year funding cycle; specific timelines vary by programme
• Grant Range: Up to $25,000 for new programmes; $50,000-$75,000 typical for returning programmes
• Geographic Focus: Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area (Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties)

Contact Details

Main Office:

• Website: unitedwaymidlands.org
• Phone: (402) 342-8282 / (402) 342-8232
• Email: communityinvestments@uwmidlands.org (for grant enquiries)
• Address: 1229 Millwork Avenue, Suite 402, Omaha, NE 68102

Overview

United Way of the Midlands has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area for nearly 100 years, functioning as a bridge between the business and nonprofit sectors to address social and economic disparities. With approximately $32 million raised in FY 2023-2024, the organisation strategically invests more than 95 cents of every donated dollar directly into the community. In FY 2024, UWM distributed $12,780,224 in grants, supporting over 150 local nonprofit programmes through various funding mechanisms including the Community Care Fund ($8 million to 140 programmes), the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund ($400,000 to 12 programmes), and the City of Omaha ARPA Community Grant Programme ($2.5 million to 33 programmes). The organisation recently relocated to Millwork Commons and continues to expand its impact through direct services including the 211 Helpline (315,000+ contacts annually), JAG Nebraska, and the Weatherization Assistance Programme.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Community Care Fund (CCF)

• $8 million invested into 140+ programmes
• Two-year funding cycle providing financial stability
• Grant awards typically range from $50,000-$75,000 for returning applicants
• New programmes (no prior UWM support) can request up to $25,000
• Applications accepted periodically; check website for current application windows

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Fund

• $400,000 first-year investment
• Supports 12 programmes focused on racial equity
• Targets BIPOC-led nonprofits
• Focus areas: Workforce Development, Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Financial Empowerment
• Requires 50% of senior leadership to be BIPOC (or 25% if ED/CEO is BIPOC)
• Requires 65% of programme's client population to identify as BIPOC

Karnett Trust

• $500,000 total investment for three-year cycle
• Funding 10 metro-area programmes
• Exclusive focus on care, education, and training of children with intellectual disabilities
• Letters of Intent typically accepted in late January annually
• Virtual LOI training held in early January

City of Omaha ARPA Community Grant Programme

• $2.5 million in investments administered by UWM
• Supports 33 programmes
• Focus areas: Basic needs, food and shelter access, healthcare services, mental health support

Priority Areas

UWM focuses on four strategic areas that create a "Circle of Support":

1. Community Resiliency - Programmes that help families withstand and recover from challenges
2. Youth Opportunity - Education programmes, early childhood education, mentoring, career preparation
3. Financial Security - Job training, financial literacy, employment support
4. Healthy Communities - Physical and mental health services, healthcare access

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions were not publicly documented, UWM requires:

• Programmes must serve economically vulnerable populations in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area
• Must hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• UWM investment cannot exceed 50% of total programme budget
• Programmes must demonstrate meaningful partnerships
• Must use evidence-based or promising practices driven by direct consumer input

Governance and Leadership

Shawna Forsberg - President and CEO

• Appointed following nationwide search
• Previously served as interim president since July 2014
• Under her leadership, UWM achieved 7th ranking out of 1,200 United Ways for campaign performance

Chanda Chacón - Board Chair

• President & CEO, Children's Nebraska
• 20 years of experience in pediatric healthcare

Chris Leitner - Board Chair-Elect

• Chief Executive Officer, Tenaska

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Process:

1. Create a profile in UWM's online system
2. Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) during the application window
3. Attend due diligence meeting with UWM staff (if invited)
4. Submit full application (if invited)
5. Volunteer review process through Community Investment Review Team (CIRT)
6. Board approval of funding recommendations

Contact: communityinvestments@uwmidlands.org

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed by Community Investment Review Team (CIRT) composed of community volunteers
• CIRT prepares funding recommendations for UWM Board of Directors
• Board makes final funding decisions
• Two-year investment cycle provides same level of funding in second year (contingent on meeting reporting requirements)

Success Rates

• During 2022-2024 cycle: 152 programmes requested funding; 140+ programmes funded
• Process described as "highly competitive"
• UWM invested $8 million from CCF despite $15+ million in requests

Reapplication Policy

• Community Care Fund operates on two-year cycles
• Programmes funded in Year 1 receive same funding in Year 2 if they meet reporting requirements
• Programmes must reapply when their two-year cycle ends
• Returning applicants typically eligible for $50,000-$75,000 grants
• New applicants limited to $25,000 maximum

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors:

• Demonstrate measurable impact with evidence-based practices
• Align with UWM's four strategic focus areas
• Serve economically vulnerable populations in the metro area
• Build meaningful partnerships with clients and other agencies
• Incorporate trauma-informed care approaches
• Maintain financial sustainability (UWM investment cannot exceed 50% of programme budget)
• Strong data collection and reporting capabilities

Programme-Specific Tips:

• Karnett Trust: Focus exclusively on children with intellectual disabilities; demonstrate historical impact data
• DEI Fund: Must be BIPOC-led organisation with 65% BIPOC client population; focus on workforce/financial empowerment

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Check application windows: Community Care Fund has periodic application cycles; check website for current opportunities
• Multi-year stability: Two-year funding model reduces reapplication burden but requires strong reporting
• Highly competitive: ~65-70% success rate with requests far exceeding available funds
• New applicants face limits: First-time applicants capped at $25,000 versus $50,000-$75,000 for returning grantees
• Budget diversification required: UWM investment cannot exceed 50% of programme budget
• Data capacity essential: Must commit to reporting client-level demographics and measurable results
• Strategic alignment matters: Explicitly align with UWM's four focus areas and trauma-informed approaches

References

• United Way of the Midlands official website: https://unitedwaymidlands.org/ (accessed January 1, 2026)
• 2024 Annual Report: https://unitedwaymidlands.org/2024-annual-report/ (accessed January 1, 2026)
• Community Care Fund page: https://unitedwaymidlands.org/community-care-fund/ (accessed January 1, 2026)
• Karnett Trust page: https://unitedwaymidlands.org/impact/investments/karnett-trust/ (accessed January 1, 2026)
• Board of Directors page: https://unitedwaymidlands.org/about/board-of-directors-page/ (accessed January 1, 2026)
• For Nonprofits page: https://unitedwaymidlands.org/for-nonprofits/ (accessed January 1, 2026)
• Community Investments page: https://unitedwaymidlands.org/community-investments/ (accessed January 1, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/470376605 (accessed for 990 filing data)