Nebraska is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. There are a number of reasons for this, but near the top of the list has to be the numerous non profits that operate in our community. Non profits help make our community better in so many ways: they give the homeless shelter and a hot meal, they give underprivileged children a chance to thrive, they raise money to research and fight disease and so much more. However, non profits cannot do it alone, and business owners have a unique opportunity to help them carry out their missions. Holly Baker with TAGG comments, “I think it’s important for businesses to support non profits as much as they are able to. It not only puts them in a positive light and shows community support, but in many cases should provide them with awareness and new business in return.”
“Omaha is blessed with a number of top-notch non profits which provide critical social services to the community at an incredible value,” says Paul Oestmann with CFO Systems, LLC. “We are thrilled when businesses and individuals support these efforts as an important element for building strong, safe communities. Our people contribute time and funds to a number of local non profits and we encourage and support them in their efforts. The firm also donates time and funds to a number of local and national non profits. In addition, we provide a discounted pricing structure on our services which allows organizations access to the top level of financial leadership without committing their resources to the costs of full-time executives.”
TAGG also provides special services aimed at assisting non profits. “We provide non profits with a fresh way to fund raise by asking people to shop online for vouchers to local businesses—something people actually want or need. We understand that most businesses are not able to give to every non profit that approaches them. By promoting their offers on our website, they are helping any participating non profits on our site in one easy step so they don’t have to pick and choose who to support.”
Choosing a non profit to support can be a difficult choice. While we would like to be able to give to every non profit that approaches us, this is simply not possible. The good news is, giving a non profit can be done in a number of different ways. Do you or your employees have some time to volunteer? Many non profit organizations would rather have your time than your money. As a business owner, you can give a few hours off a week to your employees with the understanding that they will use this time to volunteer at their chosen non profit. If your schedule is packed, consider writing a monthly or yearly check to the organization of your choice or support them by donating items to their fundraisers.
Not sure which non profit you should support? Take some time to really think about what’s important to you. While non profits all have an admirable mission, it’s likely that some provide services that are closer to your heart than others. Has someone in your family been affected by breast cancer? Have you always been an advocate of homeless animals? Are underprivileged children the group you want to help the most? By finding what cause you truly want to support, you will not only be able to choose a non profit, but you’ll also know that you will be giving from the heart.
If you need further help choosing, please take a look at some of the wonderful non profits operating in our area:
Completely KIDS
The mission of Completely KIDS is to develop youth and their families through out-of-school time and family strengthening programs in communities where they live. Completely KIDS serves more than 2,000 at-risk youth, ages 4 through 18, and their families in seven elementary schools, three homeless shelters and at the Completely KIDS headquarters. Completely KIDS addresses the needs of the whole child through evidence-based programming in youth development, nutrition, academics and family strengthening. Completely KIDS also offers Prevention Education programs that use education-theater to teach thousands of children and adults how to recognize, report, and avoid inappropriate interpersonal and online interactions.
Needs: Donations to support the continuation of current programming.
Contact: (402) 397-5809, 2566 St. Mary’s Ave.
Christian Business Women’s Fellowship
Christian Business Women’s Fellowship (CBWF), is a non-profit, non-denominational women’s marketplace ministry. CBWF connects, encourages, and equips women through forums, outreach luncheons, discipleship, and periodic workshops, all with the purpose developing disciples and inspiring women to be “salt and light” in the marketplace. Daily we are faced with career, family and financial challenges. CBWF meets women right where they are so they don’t have to “go it alone.”
Needs: Prayer and financial partners, women with a heart to transform lives, volunteer committee members, pro bono website services
Contact: Pam Fischer Korth, CBWF president
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 | Omaha, NE 68154
402-431-0002 or pkorth@cbwf.org
Midlands Community Foundation
Did you know…
Midlands Community Foundation helps donors achieve their philanthropic goals and invest in the power of their communities through a variety of charitable funds.
Affiliated Funds – created by a committee of local community leaders.
Designated Funds – support the good work of a specific program or project.
Donor Advised Funds – allow donors to make an irrevocable tax-deductible contribution.
Field of Interest Funds – designate and support a particular area of charitable interest.
Memorial Funds – honor the name and accomplishments of the deceased.
To learn more about Midlands Community Foundation’s charitable funds, visit www.midlandscommunity.org or call 402-991-8027.
Angels Among Us
Our Mission: To financially assist families with a child battling cancer living or being treated in Nebraska.
Through funds raised from community events, donations, grants and corporate sponsorships, we provide support for each family in our program up to $500/month, $5000 per family. Since we began our mission in 2006 over $500,000 has been paid directly to creditors to ease the financial stress on 100+ families.
We take on additional families as our financial capacity allows, unfortunately we always have families on a waiting list.
Needs: Donations, volunteers
Contact: Shari Holl at 402-885-4840 or shari@mayangelsamongus.org
American Heart Association
Cardiovascular diseases including heart disease, stroke, and congenital heart defects claimed nearly one in three Nebraska lives in 2009. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases. We are the go-to source for science-based cardiovascular knowledge for individuals and medical professionals alike and currently fund more than $4 million in research in Nebraska. Every Nebraska community benefits from our nationwide research discoveries, which include CPR, pacemakers, bypass surgery, artificial heart valves and microsurgery. Our annual Omaha Metro fundraising events are the Go Red For Women Expo (September), the Heart ball (February) and the Heart Walk (May).
To volunteer or donate, contact: 402-346-0771 or Omaha@heart.org
NAWIC
The National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC) Greater Omaha chapter extends an open invitation the 2nd Thursday of the month including dinner, professional education, and general membership meeting. NAWIC is open to any woman working in the construction industry. The Chapter is currently awarding scholarships to individuals entering the construction field, funded by an annual golf outing to be held on August 29th at Indian Creek Golf Course.
Chapter President, Martha Bang (mbang@boydjones.biz) invites anyone who is interested to attend a meeting saying “Guests are always welcome!”
More information is available on the web at www.nawicomaha.com or www.nawic.org .
Ted E. Bear Hollow
Ted E. Bear Hollow (TEBH), founded in 2001, offers free grief support to children, teens, and their families following the death of a loved one. TEBH offers support groups, day camps, teen retreats and educational programs for the public. Children and caregivers who experience TEBH describe it as a safe place where they rediscover hope and healing. They share they feelings and stories with peers who “get it” under the guidance of trained volunteer facilitators. TEBH serves hundreds of families through the greater Omaha/ Council Bluffs area and beyond.
Visit our website at www.tedebearhollow.org to learn more.
JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities to cure, better treat and prevent T1D.
The 21st Annual Walk to Cure Diabetes is the fastest growing fund raising event. This year, 4,000 walkers will participate on Saturday, August 11th at Lewis & Clark Landing with a goal of raising $1 million for T1D research. In addition to the 2 mile walk course, there will be a 5K Run for something more challenging.
To register please visit walk.jdrf.org.
For more information, please call (402) 397-CURE (2873) or visit www.jdrf.org/omaha.
Midlands Mentoring Partnership
WANTED: Mentors for Omaha’s Youth
SKILLS NEEDED: Willingness to be a friend, lend support, and be good listener.
BENEFITS: Gain a greater sense of purpose in your personal life & experience new things, all while becoming more connected to the community.
HOW DO I APPLY? Midlands Mentoring Partnership has information on a multitude of exciting mentoring programs and will help find the right program for you! Learn more about all of the options including: age groups served & different types of programs.
For more information please visit www.mmpomaha.org or call 402-715-4175.
WasteCap Nebraska
www.wastecapne.org
WasteCap Nebraska’s mission is to partner with business leaders to implement resource conservation strategies that improve profitability, community goodwill, and employee pride. WasteCap assists businesses through “green team” training, peer-to-peer networking, recycling technical assistance and sustainability planning. Community programs include a speakers’ bureau, fluorescent lamp and electronic scrap take-back programs, and a Guidebook of recycling service providers. Last year, members saved more than $100,000 through waste prevention, recycling and service discounts.
Needs: Seeking leading businesses that would like to increase their contribution to a healthy environment and society and a sustainable economy.
Contact: Rozz Beckman at (402) 436-2383 or rbeckman@wastecapne.org.
ONI
Since its beginning in 2000, ONI, a 501(c)3 organization, has positively impacted the lives of the blind and visually impaired through employment at our tissue converting facility. The opportunities they are given here allow them to live meaningful, productive, and independent lives. We are the largest employer of the blind and visually impaired in Nebraska. ONI Has developed additional services for our blind and visually impaired associates, such as our Education and Training Program. This provides them with technology training that allows them to excel in their professional and personal lives.
To learn more, call 402-614-3331 x10 or visit www.outlooknebraska.com.
Omaha Performing Arts
www.OmahaPerformingArts.org
Omaha Performing Arts is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching Omaha’s cultural life by presenting world-class artists and ensembles from Broadway to jazz, dance, comedy and more at our two outstanding venues, the Orpheum Theater and the Holland Performing Arts Center. Central to our mission is the development of educational and community involvement programs designed to deepen appreciation for and understanding of the arts. Since 2005, we have served over 140,000 students and had more than 1.7 million patrons attend nearly 1,500 performances. Play a role in cultivating vibrant arts experiences in Omaha by joining our community of arts patrons.
The Kroc Center
Located in South Omaha, the Kroc Center is an amazing multi-use facility that uses its resources to enrich the lives of all who enter its doors of opportunity. The Kroc Center offers an array of mental, physical, and spiritual programming to stimulate a healthy mind and body – housing a Sports Complex, Arts Studio, Fitness Deck, Aquatics Facility, Chapel, and so much more.
In addition, the Kroc boasts some of the best venues in Omaha for community-minded businesses and groups to host meetings and special events, complete with outstanding menu options prepared by our award winning executive Chef.
For information or to donate, please visit www.OmahaKroc.org.
Kids Can Community Center
The mission of Kids Can Community Center is to empower children and parents to reach their potential and enable older adults to maintain their independence. Located at 49th and Q Streets, Kids Can is not your everyday daycare and our programs are built on four cornerstones: education, recreation, nutrition, and evaluation. We offer programs for children 18-months to 13-years-old including preschool, childcare, before and after school services, tutoring, mentoring, and out-of-school care all designed to make sure children are ready for school and successful in school. We also have a fantastic full-day summer programs with many fun activities, field trips, and swimming! Kids Can is state-licensed, Title XX accepted. We also offer many community programs such as senior transportation, tax assistance, gymnasium rentals, neighborhood events and computer classes.
Please visit www.kidscanomaha.org for more information.
Heartland Family Service
As the oldest agency of its kind in the region with a rich history of service and 136 years of proven success, Heartland Family Service is a respected leader in the human services field—identifying societal trends, anticipating client needs and creating solutions to the most urgent challenges facing individuals and families in need. Each year we serve more than 38,000 clients of all ages—most on a sliding fee scale—in the areas of addictions, child abuse, domestic violence, early childhood development, juvenile delinquency, mental health, neighborhood enrichment and poverty and homelessness, through 40 programs at 16 locations in eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa.
Learn more at www.HeartlandFamilyService.org or by calling (402) 553-3000.
The Nebraska Safety Council
“Accidents” are the fifth leading cause of death for Nebraskans and the leading cause of death for ages 1-44. Accidents are preventable.
The Nebraska Safety Council’s mission for over 50 years is providing safety education. We assist businesses in providing a safe workplace for their employees through training and education; teach driving safety for all ages through classroom and hands-on learning and provide resources to promote safety in the home and in our communities.
We want you and your family to work..drive..live safe!
Contact: Nebraska Safety Council – 402/483-2511
Visit our website – nesafetycouncil.org to learn how we can be a resource for your safety.
Suburban Rotary of Omaha
Rotary is a global network of business, professional, and community volunteers. Suburban Rotary of Omaha is changing lives in our community and around the world through Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” Suburban Rotary has given over $600K in Scholarships in 30 years to students with special needs in the Omaha metro area. Each year we conduct local and international service projects ranging from highway clean-up, house painting for the elderly, food drives for local pantries as well as supporting projects to provide clean water, education, and nutrition to international communities.
Needs: Like-minded community members who would be interested in membership.
Contact: Jennifer Jirak-Brungardt 402-397-7335