Jewish Federation Of Omaha Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $37.6 million (2023 total expenses)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $10,000
• Geographic Focus: Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs metro areas
• Total Assets: $57.4 million (2023)
• Decision Time: Varies by programme (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

Overview

The Jewish Federation of Omaha Inc (EIN: 47-0384659) is the central fundraising and planning organisation for Omaha's Jewish community, founded to support Jewish life locally, nationally, and in Israel. With total assets of $57.4 million and total expenses of $37.6 million as of 2023, the organisation operates with an annual campaign goal of $3.4 million. The Federation umbrella encompasses multiple Jewish organisations including the Jewish Community Centre, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Services, and provides support to synagogue schools, Friedel Jewish Academy, and Israel programmes. 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. As of June 30, 2021, the Foundation's assets under management totalled $107.5 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Anything Grants (Community Organisations)

• 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, organisations, or synagogues with 501(c)(3) status in Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs
• Application: Online application, annual deadline varies
• Project budget cap: $10,000

Israel Experience Grant (Youth)

• Amount: Up to $1,500 for Israel peer programmes; additional $1,000 stipend for bi-annual community teen trip to Israel
• Target: Grades 9-12 and ages 18-25
• Purpose: One-time grant for approved Israel experiences and Birthright trips (may also be used for domestic airfare for Birthright Israel trips)
• Application deadline: Typically early March for summer programmes; 30 days prior for non-summer programmes

Jewish Experience Grant (Youth)

• Amount: Up to $2,000 paid over two years (maximum $1,000 per summer)
• Target: Grades 3-11
• Purpose: Encourage attendance at Jewish summer residential camps (two weeks or longer)
• Application deadline: Typically late January

Phil & Ruth Sokolof Merit Scholarships

• Amount: $10,000 per award
• Categories:
  • High school seniors (two awards)
  • Healthcare students (two awards)
  • Music students pursuing college/university/conservatory degrees (up to two awards)
• Application deadline: Typically April 1

Additional Merit Scholarships

• Bennett G. Hornstein Memorial Scholarship (law students at University of Nebraska College of Law or Creighton University School of Law): Typically April 1 deadline
• Robert H. and Dorothy G. Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust Scholarships (undergraduate Jewish students with financial need): Typically early March deadline
• Bruce M. Fellman Charitable Foundation Trust Scholarships (undergraduate Jewish students with financial need): Typically early March deadline

Need-Based JFO Scholarships

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

Priority Areas

The Federation supports:

• Jewish educational programmes and schools
• Israel connection programmes (Birthright, Partnership2Gether)
• Community social services through Jewish Family Service
• Senior services through Jewish Senior Services
• Cultural and educational initiatives
• Jewish Community Centre programmes
• 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 programme excludes:

• Individuals (organisational 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 (began January 2023)
• JCC Executive Director: Mark Martin

Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation

• Executive Director: Amy Bernstein Shivvers (began July 2022 as the Foundation's fifth Executive Director)
• Board: 18 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 Organisations)

• 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 programmes (see specific programmes above)
• Need-based scholarships require annual application

Merit Scholarships

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

Decision Timeline

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

Anything Grants: Applications typically due in early spring 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 programmes.

Success Rates

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

Award decisions for need-based programmes 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. Organisations may apply for Anything Grants annually, though the programme emphasises 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 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 typically comes by April 1 via email

For Merit Scholarships:

• Academic excellence and achievement are key factors
• Each scholarship programme 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 organisational grants
• Provide detailed budgets showing realistic cost projections
• For Israel experience and camp grants, apply well in advance of programme start dates

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Multiple funding streams available: The Federation offers diverse programmes from organisational grants ($1,000-$5,000) to individual scholarships (up to $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 organisational grants.
• Annual campaign support is foundational: Understanding the Federation's broader mission to raise $3.4 million annually 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 totalling $107.5 million (as of June 30, 2021), the Foundation demonstrates long-term commitment to Jewish community sustainability.
• Timeline planning is essential: Different programmes 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
• Jewish Federation of Omaha Inc - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
• Anything Grant Application - Jewish Community Centre of Omaha
• About Us - Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation
• Jewish Federation of Omaha - Annual Campaign
• Sokolof Merit Scholarships - Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation
• Israel Experience Grant - Jewish Community Centre of Omaha
• Jewish Experience Grant - Jewish Community Centre of Omaha
• Bennett G. Hornstein Memorial Scholarship - Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation