Advancing Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant Program
This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Iowa and Nebraska that are dedicated to advancing racial equity and social justice for Black, Indigenous, and people of color in their communities.
Description
The Omaha Community Foundation is accepting applications to support organizations leading racial and social justice work in the community.
Donor Name: Omaha Community Foundation
State: Iowa, Nebraska
County: Cass County (NE), Douglas County (NE), Pottawattamie County (IA), Sarpy County (NE)
Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/01/2025 Grant Opens (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/01/2025
The Foundation sees it as a fundamental human right and sign of a healthy, inclusive community for Black, Indigenous, and people of color to learn, work, and thrive in the place they call home. The community is stronger and more connected when they embrace diversity, acknowledge areas of racial inequity and injustice, and invest in organizations leading the way.
Program Goals
Foundation are committed to addressing existing funding gaps by expanding opportunities for organizations that intentionally amplify and care for BIPOC voices. Program goals include:
Building grassroots capacity of nonprofit organizations.
Supporting advocacy efforts to address systems change in communities of color.
Increasing connections within and across communities.
Working to ensure equitable access for people of color throughout the community.
Priority Areas
The Foundation believes this work can happen through investments that address racial equity gaps. Funding priorities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Mental & Behavioral Health: Ensuring individuals can obtain comprehensive services, removing barriers to care for both mental and behavioral health needs
Maternal Health & Birth Outcomes: Enhancing healthcare, resources, and support provided to pregnant individuals for safe pregnancies and childbirth experiences, and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality rates.
Housing & Neighborhoods: Ensuring affordable housing options, facilitating pathways to homeownership, and developing public spaces that foster social connections for people of color to feel safe and supported.
Economic Opportunity: Expanding access to high-quality education, meaningful employment and career development opportunities, and equitable pay in the community for people of color.
Funding Information
Applicants can request up to $25,000. This grant is for general operating support.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants are those defined as public, tax-exempt organizations by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that provide services in the Omaha metropolitan area (Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties), or working with a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent who can receive funds on your behalf.
Organizations that have an annual operating budget of $5 million or less are eligible to apply.
Organizations that received funding in the prior year are no longer prohibited from funding. This is a change from past funding cycles in which organizations were not funded for consecutive years.
For more information, visit Omaha Community Foundation.