The mission of the Jetton Charitable Fund is to support youth exposure to cultural education. Its purpose is to provide the people of Omaha with assorted performing and visual arts programs, as well as a range of instructive programs grounded in natural wonders, technological advancement, and historical perspective. While the Jetton Charitable Fund supports specific traditional academic pursuits, this fund also strives to provide a more cultural edification the whole community can share and enjoy.

This grant program supports youth engagement in:

• Performing and visual arts (with a focus on performing arts)
• Educational pursuits in the areas of natural science, technologies, zoological, botanical, or historical programs.

The grant will be awarded to organizations that:

• Have been in existence for at least 5 years.
• Spend at least 75% or more of the annual operating budget on the delivery of its programs.
• Serve the general population, rather than a subset limited by various demographic data.

Application Details

• Grants of $5,000 and up are awarded.
• The application period is open annually June 1 – July 15. Awards are announced via email in September.
• Applications must be submitted online.
• The Jetton Charitable Fund will make grants primarily to organizations in the Omaha metropolitan service area. Under special circumstances, eligibility could be extended to Lincoln, Nebraska, and to arts and educational organizations across Nebraska and Southwest Iowa. The primary purpose of such grants is programmatic with very special exceptions for capacity building.

Eligibility Requirements

• Public, tax-exempt organization as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or working with a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent who can receive funds on your behalf
• Applicants from previous years may apply again this year. Those who received grants last year are eligible provided an evaluation report has been submitted to the Omaha Community Foundation.

Applicants’ policies and practices must be in alignment with the following non-discrimination clause: The applicant organization does not discriminate in hiring practices or service provision to clients and/or customers based on race, ethnicity, religious preference, age, [mental, emotional, or physical] ability/disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military service, or gender.

Founded in 1887, the Creche Home for Children was Nebraska’s oldest nonprofit organization. Over the next 127 years, Creche operated in different capacities with many prominent Omaha philanthropists serving on the board of directors.

The one characteristic that never changed throughout Creche’s long history was its focus on helping children. Whether it was a lay nursery, kindergarten, custodial care facility, or childcare center, the heart of the organization was always on helping children.

In 2014, a decision was made to close the nonprofit and donate the endowment to the Omaha Community Foundation with the hope that the Creche mission—to better serve children in the Omaha metro area—will continue in perpetuity.

Application Details

• A maximum of three grants will be awarded, totaling approximately $25,000.
• The application period is open annually June 1 – July 15. Awards are announced via email in September.
• Organizations may apply every year but are only eligible to receive a grant once every three years.
• Applications must be submitted online.

This grant program supports:

• Educational programming and projects for children.
• Grant monies may not be used for operating expenses.

The grant will be awarded to organizations that:

• Provide childhood educational services to underserved children up to 12 years of age.

Eligibility Requirements

• Public 501(c)(3) organizations that benefit childhood educational services to children.
• Organization must be located in the Omaha metropolitan area (Douglas, Sarpy, or Pottawattamie Counties).

Applicants’ policies and practices must be in alignment with the following non-discrimination clause: The applicant organization does not discriminate in hiring practices or service provision to clients and/or customers based on race, ethnicity, religious preference, age, [mental, emotional, or physical] ability/disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military service, or gender.

The Richard A. Shaw Fund was established to honor the life and legacy of Richard A. Shaw by supporting nonprofit organizations that contribute to the passions and values he held so dear.

Richard Shaw was born in Lakewood, Ohio and moved to Omaha in 1962. A graduate of Benson High School, Richard earned a degree in Education from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He taught elementary grades in Ralston, and later taught at Elkhorn Middle School until his retirement in 2006. Richard continued his support of the school system as a bus driver and substitute teacher for Elkhorn until his death. Throughout his life, Richard was an avid historian and exhibited a true connection with nature.

Through his many personal and professional pursuits, Richard sought to foster an appreciation for history and the wonders of the natural world. Richard’s life-long commitment to these endeavors moved his family to ensure that his influence on young minds and the elements of nature that surround them would continue for years to come through the creation of the Richard A. Shaw Fund.

The grant program is available for:

• Public school programs emphasizing history, the natural sciences, and outdoor education. Applications from schools/school systems will only be accepted from public schools serving students from 5-18 years of age.
• Nonprofit programs benefiting animals, with preference given to equine therapy.

Application Details

• $3,500 is awarded through a maximum of two grants.
• The application period is open annually June 1 – July 15. Awards are announced via email in September.
• Applications must be submitted online.
• Grant dollars are to be limited to programming and projects, and will not support operating expenses. Religiously-based and private educational institutions will not be considered.
• Organizations are welcome to apply for the grant each year.

Eligibility Requirements

• Public schools or public school systems emphasizing history, the natural sciences, and outdoor education programs; or public 501(c)(3) organizations that benefit animals, both wild and domesticated. Preference will be given to organizations and programs involving equine therapy.
• Organization must be located in the Omaha metropolitan area (Douglas, Sarpy, or Pottawattamie Counties).

Applicants’ policies and practices must be in alignment with the following non-discrimination clause: The applicant organization does not discriminate in hiring practices or service provision to clients and/or customers based on race, ethnicity, religious preference, age, [mental, emotional, or physical] ability/disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military service, or gender.