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Jewish Federation Of Omaha Inc

Annual Giving
$25.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.0M
Decision Time
2mo

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

Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation

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

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