$133,000 in Grants

Fall 2013

Total Now Exceeds $1.5 Million

With the presentation of $133,000 in grants this year, the total amount awarded by the Women’s Fund of Omaha since its inception now exceeds $1.5 million. Representatives of 13 nonprofit agencies were on hand at the Women’s Fund’s Oct. 24 Fall Luncheon to receive their checks. Over the years, more than 100 organizations have benefited from these awards.

This year’s grants recognize agencies for innovative programs that will make a substantial impact on local women and girls in areas Women’s Fund research has identified as priorities – economic self-sufficiency, domestic violence and sexual literacy programs for young women.

Excellence Awards

Two organizations received merit grants for their outstanding work in the community. A $25,000 grant recognizing excellence in programming for women went to the Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) for its Bridges to Opportunity program that moves participants from multi-generational poverty to self-sufficiency. Clients receive assistance in developing short- and long-term goals that identify their assets and also identify and reduce barriers. Girls Scouts Spirit of Nebraska received a $20,000 award for excellence in girls’ programming for its Girl Scout Leadership Experience. The program helps girls understand what leadership is and how a leader can use her skills to make a difference in the world.

Community Impact Grants

Catholic Charities – $9,500 for Immigration Legal Assistance Services that help immigrant women who have been victimized by domestic violence and/or sexual assault navigate away from the cycle of abuse and self-petition for legal status in the United States.

Family Housing Advisory Services – $10,000 for the Financial Education Program that empowers women to take charge of their finances through a combined strategy of financial education, energy efficiency education and matched savings incentives.

Girls Incorporated of Omaha – $7,500 for the Sexpertise program that addresses sexual and reproductive health by providing medically accurate information and reinforces each girl’s vision of a self-sufficient and desirable future.

Intercultural Senior Center – $5,500 for the Threads of Life program that teaches basic sewing skills to immigrant and refugee women. Participants also learn micro-business skills and are able to build social support networks.

Justice for our Neighbors – Nebraska – $10,000 for its Legal Services for Battered Immigrant Women program that provides education on their rights, works with community service providers to enhance support for immigrant women, and provides clients with free legal services.

Legal Aid of Nebraska – $5,000 for the ElderAccessLine® that assists elderly women with legal services and advice related to credit card debt, contractual issues, home loan scams and pay day loans.

Nebraska Children’s Home Society – $10,000 for the Teen Chat program that focuses on STD education, pregnancy prevention and development of a healthy sense of personal well-being.

OneWorld Community Health Centers – $7,500 to develop a sexual literacy and reproductive health curriculum and train lay Latina community members to provide community health education and screenings for girls and women ages 13 and older.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland – $5,000 for sex education programs in partnership with Girls Inc. that focus on abstinence and prevention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

Additional Awards

Heart Ministry Center – $5,000 Changemaker grant for its Pathway self-sufficiency program that helps women overcome the challenges of poverty and builds participants’ confidence and self-esteem. Women’s Fund donors who contribute $200 or more annually choose the recipient of the annual Changemaker grant.

Youth Emergency Services – $1,000 Little Women award to provide financial literacy classes for young women in its Maternity Home. Girls enrolled in the Women’s Fund Little Women program vote on the grant.

WomanSpirit Awards – $1,500 awards are given annually to honor women whose leadership has had a significant impact on the lives of Omaha-area women and girls. WomenSpirit honorees and the recipient agencies are:

Margre Durham (memorial) – Domestic Violence Council
Mary Heng-Braun – University of Nebraska Foundation/Marian Ivers Community Leadership Award
Marian Ivers (memorial) – Completely Kids
Dianne Seeman Lozier – Domestic Violence Council
Maryanne Stevens – College of Saint Mary Scholarship Fund
Mimi Waldbaum (memorial) – Planned Parenthood of the Heartland
Barbara Weitz – Omaha Girls Rock
Gail Walling Yanney – Women’s Fund of Omaha