Jewish Federation Of Omaha Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $25.6 million (program services)
• Grant Range: $250 - $10,000
• Geographic Focus: Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs metro areas
• Total Assets: $64.7 million (2024)
• Decision Time: Varies by program (typically 4-8 weeks)

Contact Details

Jewish Federation of Omaha

• Website: https://www.jewishomaha.org
• Scholarship & Grant Manager: Diane Walker
• Email: dwalker@jewishomaha.org
• Phone: (402) 334-6551

Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation

• Website: https://www.jfofoundation.org
• Executive Director: Amy Bernstein Shivvers
• Board President: Stacey Erman Rockman

Overview

The Jewish Federation of Omaha Inc (EIN: 47-0384659) is the central fundraising and planning organization for Omaha's Jewish community, founded to support Jewish life locally, nationally, and in Israel. With total assets of $64.7 million as of 2024, the Federation raised approximately $49.5 million in revenue during its most recent fiscal year. The organization operates with an annual campaign goal of over $3.8 million from 1,700+ contributors. The Federation umbrella encompasses multiple Jewish organizations including the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Services, and provides support to synagogue schools, Friedel Jewish Academy, and Israel programs. A related but separate entity, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, manages 687 funds including 134 donor-advised funds, 119 teen donor-advised funds, and 347 endowment or discretionary funds, with foundation assets having grown from $28 million in 1998 to approximately $62 million by 2012.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Anything Grants (Community Organizations)

• Amount: $1,000 - $5,000 matching grants (50% match required)
• Funding: Staenberg Family Foundation
• Total awarded since 2017: Nearly $300,000
• Eligibility: Jewish non-profits, organizations, or synagogues with 501(c)(3) status in Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs
• Application: Online application, annual deadline varies
• Project budget cap: $10,000

Kaiman Family Camp Grant

• Amount: $1,200 per overnight camper; $250 per day camper
• Cap: 96 overnight and 100 day campers
• Not need-based

Israel Experience Grant (Youth)

• Target: Grades 9-12 and ages 18-25
• Purpose: One-time grant for approved Israel experiences and Birthright trips
• Application deadline: March 3 for summer programs; 30 days prior for non-summer programs

Jewish Experience Grant (Youth)

• Target: Grades 3-11
• Purpose: Encourage attendance at Jewish summer residential camps

Phil & Ruth Sokolof Merit Scholarships

• Amount: $10,000 per award
• Categories: High school seniors (two awards), healthcare students (two awards), music students (up to two awards)
• Application deadline: April 1

Additional Merit Scholarships

• Bennett G. Hornstein (law students): April 1 deadline
• Kooper/Fellman Foundations (undergraduates): March 2 deadline

Need-Based JFO Scholarships

• Available for youth group programs, cultural arts, JCC summer camp, overnight camps, Israel programs, Friedel Jewish Academy, Early Learning Center, and undergraduate/graduate/professional/yeshiva/vocational studies
• Application deadline: January 28 (except year-round youth/arts programs)

Priority Areas

The Federation supports:

• Jewish educational programs and schools
• Israel connection programs (Birthright, Partnership2Gether)
• Community social services through Jewish Family Service
• Senior services through Jewish Senior Services
• Cultural and educational initiatives
• Jewish Community Center programs
• Holocaust education
• Community relations and advocacy
• Synagogue support
• Emergency assistance (rent, utilities, food, mental health)

What They Don't Fund

Based on available information, the Anything Grants program excludes:

• Individuals (organizational grants only)
• For-profit businesses
• Projects exceeding $10,000 in total budget
• Ongoing operating expenses (preference for one-time needs)
• Requests that are part of larger capital campaigns

Governance and Leadership

Jewish Federation of Omaha Inc

• Chief Executive Officer: Bob Goldberg (Compensation: $208,241 in 2024)
• JCC Executive Director: Mark Martin (Compensation: $204,669 in 2024)

Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation

• Executive Director: Amy Bernstein Shivvers (began July 2022 as the Foundation's fifth Executive Director)
• Board President: Stacey Erman Rockman
• Board: 18 other Jewish community lay leaders

The Foundation's mission is to "gather, preserve and increase philanthropic giving to ensure the continuity and enhancement of Jewish life in Omaha."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Anything Grants (Community Organizations)

• Online application available through the JCC website
• Contact Diane Walker (dwalker@jewishomaha.org or 402-334-6551) for questions
• Application includes project description and budget demonstrating 50% match
• In-kind donations count toward required match
• Must provide evidence of secured matching funds

Youth Scholarships and Grants

• Online applications through JCC website
• Different deadlines for different programs (see specific programs above)
• Need-based scholarships require annual application

Merit Scholarships

• Separate application processes with specific deadlines
• Requirements vary by scholarship program

Decision Timeline

Financial Aid and Scholarships: Applications reviewed by Financial Aid Committee with determinations made by April 1. Applicants receive email notification of award or denial.

Anything Grants: Typical timeline shows applications due in early spring (April 1) with selections completed by mid-May. Projects must be completed within one year of the deadline.

Israel Experience Grants: 30-day advance notice required for non-summer programs.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the Anything Grants program has distributed nearly $300,000 since 2017 across Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs Jewish organizations and synagogues, indicating consistent annual funding availability.

Award decisions for need-based programs are based on:

• Financial need of applicants
• Number of requests received
• Amount of funds available

Reapplication Policy

Need-based scholarships and financial aid require annual applications. Organizations may apply for Anything Grants annually, though the program emphasizes one-time project support rather than recurring operating expenses. For multi-year initiatives, applicants should present component parts that can qualify as distinct projects.

Application Success Factors

For Anything Grants:

• Demonstrate clear matching support: Applications must articulate how the other 50% of project budget will be raised. In-kind donations are now accepted toward the match requirement.
• Keep projects discrete and achievable: Requests should be for specific, one-time needs under $10,000 total budget rather than ongoing expenses or parts of larger campaigns.
• Show sustainability planning: For continuing initiatives, present a clear plan for how the project will be sustained beyond the grant period.
• Focus on community impact: Projects should clearly benefit the Jewish community in Omaha, Lincoln, or Council Bluffs.
• Eligible project types include: Hiring nonprofit consultants, purchasing technology, staff/board professional development, and building beautification/improvement.

For Need-Based Scholarships:

• Financial need is the primary criterion
• Annual application is required
• Award amounts depend on number of requests and available funds
• Decision notification comes by April 1 via email

For Merit Scholarships:

• Academic excellence and achievement are key factors
• Each scholarship program has specific eligibility criteria
• Adherence to stated deadlines is critical

General Application Tips:

• Contact Diane Walker early with questions to ensure eligibility and completeness
• Complete all required documentation demonstrating 501(c)(3) status for organizational grants
• Provide detailed budgets showing realistic cost projections
• For Israel experience and camp grants, apply well in advance of program start dates

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Multiple funding streams available: The Federation offers diverse programs from organizational grants ($1,000-$5,000) to individual scholarships ($250-$10,000), allowing various Jewish community entities to find appropriate support.
• Matching requirement is crucial: For Anything Grants, the 50% match must be clearly documented and can include in-kind donations—secure matching commitments before applying.
• Geographic specificity matters: Focus on demonstrating impact within Omaha, Lincoln, or Council Bluffs Jewish communities for organizational grants.
• Annual campaign support is foundational: Understanding the Federation's broader mission to raise $3.8 million annually from 1,700+ contributors provides context for aligning grant requests with community priorities.
• Diane Walker is your primary resource: As Scholarship and Grant Manager, she handles all inquiries and can provide guidance before application submission (dwalker@jewishomaha.org, 402-334-6551).
• Foundation manages significant assets: With 687 funds under management and growing legacy commitments ($25.6 million in Life & Legacy pledges), the Foundation demonstrates long-term commitment to Jewish community sustainability.
• Timeline planning is essential: Different programs have different deadlines throughout the year—plan ahead and note that decisions for spring deadlines typically come by April 1.

References

• Jewish Federation of Omaha - Scholarships & Grants (Accessed December 2025)
• Jewish Federation of Omaha Inc - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (Accessed December 2025)
• Anything Grant Application - Jewish Community Center of Omaha (Accessed December 2025)
• About Us - Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation (Accessed December 2025)
• Jewish Federation of Omaha Financials (Accessed December 2025)
• Charity Navigator - Jewish Federation of Omaha (Accessed December 2025)
• Jewish Federation of Omaha - Staff Contact (Accessed December 2025)