27 minute read
Nonprofit
Goodwill Omaha’s “Round It Up” Campaign Raises $16.5K for United Way Organizations
Goodwill Omaha’s latest “Round It Up Campaign,” held throughout November and December 2020, collected $16,500 of donations from Goodwill shoppers for United Way of the Midlands (UWM) and Fremont Area United Way. Goodwill Omaha President and CEO Tobi Mathouser presented checks to the organizations in early February to assist them with their efforts for locals affected by COVID-19. Goodwill stores in Fremont and Blair raised $1,500 for the Fremont Area United Way, and stores in UWM’s territory raised $15,000. “We want to be good stewards of the communities we serve, and a significant way we can do that is to help other organizations that can help people in other ways than Goodwill does,” Tobi said. “COVID-19 has caused struggles for so many people, and it seems like everyone’s needs are unique. The best way we can help is by sponsoring a campaign like this.” Goodwill Industries, Inc. in Omaha serves eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa by providing a place to donate used clothing and household items, or find a great bargain. The true mission of the nonprofit, however, is to provide job training and placement services to people with disabilities and other disadvantages. For more information about Goodwill or their 18 regional locations, visit www. goodwillomaha.org or follow them on Facebook (@goodwillomaha), Twitter (@goodwillomaha), and YouTube (@goodwillomahatv).
FAMILY, Inc. Wins $250K Federal Grant to Support Mobile Wellness Unit for Children
FAMILY, Inc. is excited to announce that it is one of only 10 organizations nationwide to receive a Health Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program (HTPCP) grant in 2021. The federal funding comes through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and amounts $50,000 per year for five years, or a total of $250,000! That will go a long way toward supporting FAMILY Inc.’s creation and operation of a mobile wellness unit, which will be a retro-fitted RV that they can take into underserved and rural areas of our community to provide a host of preventive wellness screenings and assessments for children. These will include dental, vision, hearing, and nutritional screenings, as well as lead testing and developmental assessments. “FAMILY, Inc. is honored to be one of the 10 national recipients for this funding and proud to bring the resources to our community,” said Executive Director Kimberly Kolakowski. “This support will help FAMILY, Inc. break down barriers so that children in need—particularly in rural communities—will have access to preventive health screenings for early detection and for intervention when concerns are noted. We are setting children up for their best chances at success!” FAMILY Inc. provides public-health and family support services to women, children, and families in Pottawattamie and Mills counties. HTPCP grant recipients are entrusted to build on past program success facilitating partnerships with pediatric providers that coordinate to bring important health-care services to rural and other underserved populations. For more information or to donate to FAMILY Inc.’s mission, visit familyia.org or contact Kimberly at kkolakowski@familyia.org or (712) 256-9566, ext. 240.
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Heartland Hope Mission Updates Millard Pantry Hours with an Additional Saturday
In an effort to serve working poor families better, Heartland Hope Mission’s Millard location has updated their pantry operating hours by adding a second Saturday each month for families in need. They now will be open from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Volunteer opportunities are available for those who would like to serve families in need. Volunteers help distribute food and hygiene products, restock pantry shelves, and sort clothing to help poor families in our community. Heartland Hope Mission operates one of the largest food pantries in the state but is “More than a Pantry,” as they help families work toward self-sufficiency. They primarily serve working poor families and those who may be facing a crisis situation by providing a week’s supply of food, as well as clothing, diapers, job resources, and community referrals. To sign up to volunteer at the Millard pantry location, please visit HeartlandHopeMission.org. To stay up-to-date about all the great work they are doing in the community, like and follow them on Facebook (@HeartlandHopeMission), LinkedIn (@ Heartland Hope Mission), and Instagram (@heartlandhopemission).
Fundraising Letter Campaign Raises More Than 80K for Assistance League of Omaha®
After COVID canceled plans for their largest annual fundraiser—the Christmas Caravan Tour of Homes—Assistance League of Omaha® bounced back with a fundraising letter campaign that resulted in donations of more than $80,000 to help carry on their programs in 2021. That includes Operation School Bell, Operation Teddy Bear, Assault Survivor Kits, Operation Teen Parent, Operation Literacy, and Operation Recovery, all of which have continued with modifications to meet health guidelines. Assistance League of Omaha also recently opened their new, larger Thrift Shop at 8502 West Center Rd., which currently has limited hours—Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—but they plan to add more days in the future. Operation School Bell (OSB) each year gives more than 4,000 Omaha area school children in need the opportunity to shop for coats and clothing in conjunction with JCPenney at the Westroads. Normally held during the first two weeks of October, it had to be redesigned because of COVID, running for one week in October and two weeks in January. Even with the pandemic adaptations, the Assistance League of Omaha was able to invite 2,750 school children to shop. Because of the large amount of need in the community, they are thrilled about the amount of money they raised. The donations received through the letter campaign will go toward funding OSB and all of Assistance League of Omaha’s other programs.
Assistance League of Omaha is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit service organization whose members identify, develop, implement, and raise funding for ongoing philanthropic programs to serve specific needs of children and adults in the Greater Omaha area. Learn more at alomaha.org.
NAM Affinity Groups for HR Professionals, Executive Directors, and CEOs of Nonprofits
The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) is highlighting its Affinity Groups for Executive Directors/CEOs of nonprofits and Human Resources professionals who are members of NAM. The Executive Director/CEO networking Affinity Group gives nonprofit leaders a chance to connect, brainstorm ideas, and problem solve, while the Human Resources networking Affinity Group is aimed at those working in HR or nonprofit leaders who want to learn more about nonprofit human resources. The group gives leaders a chance to discuss relevant HR topics from a nonprofit perspective, including a mix of skill levels among participants to maximize the networking and mentoring opportunities. The meetings are currently being offered virtually due to COVID-19. The Executive Directors/CEO Affinity Group Roundtable meets the first Tuesday of every month, from noon to 1 p.m., with the next meeting on tap for March 2. The HR Affinity Group Roundtable meets the fourth Wednesday of every month, from noon to 1 p.m., with the next meeting slated for March 24.
The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands represents more than 650 nonprofit organizations in Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Their goal is to strengthen the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofits to enrich the quality of community life throughout the region. To inquire about joining NAM or an Affinity Group, contact Kelly Koepsell, director of membership and operations, at Kelly@ nonprofitam.org or visit nonprofitam.org/events.
Best Care EAP Hosts First HR Insight Series of Year, Monthly Training Session in March
Best Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has scheduled their first HR Insight series program for March 9 from noon to 1 p.m. Guest attorneys from Baird Holm will join the nonprofit to present a virtual session entitled “Understanding Employer Implications with COVID-19.” The program is intended for leadership and HR professionals—and is free! Best Care EAP also encourages people to join them for their next free virtual training session—“Good Grief: Moving Forward from Recent Losses”—on March 17 at 9 a.m. Best Care EAP Counselor, Amy Monzingo and Training Consultant, Kim Hurst will dive into how to identify and act on feelings of grief and how to experience and cope with it, without being consumed by it. During the last year, everyone has experienced abundant uncertainty and change. If you are someone who’s typically felt in control of your life, it can be quite jarring to have it suddenly disrupted in so many ways. The sense of loss can be profound, and this session will help you understand that it is grief and for many people, there are effective ways to push back. Best Care EAP offers emotional/mental health support to your employees, helping them focus on their jobs when problems in their personal lives get too overwhelming. They also offer a number of professional development options, performance coaching, and leadership training to help your organization be the best that it can be. To register for either of the programs listed above, please email Best Care EAP at EAP@BestCareEAP.org, call (402) 354-8000, or visit bestcareeap.org and view upcoming Training & Events under the Services tab.
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Habitat Omaha Hosts Educational Sessions About Estate Planning, Property Taxes
Habitat for Humanity of Omaha recently held two educational webinars for community members—one about wills and estate planning and another about property taxes. Habitat Omaha is working with community partners to provide these educational sessions about housing-related topics that impact everyone who owns, or hopes to own, a home. Although most people don’t want to talk about the need for a will or other estate planning documents, they’re critical to providing people with a voice in determining how their property will be transferred and identifying the people who will care for their loved ones and handle their affairs when they’re gone. If you missed the Wills and Estate Planning 101 webinar in December 2020, it can be viewed on Habitat Omaha’s YouTube channel. Property taxes are another hot topic in Omaha, considering that thousands of residents recently saw an enormous increase in their taxes—some as much as 200%! Habitat Omaha and Omaha Together One Community hosted a session in January to explain the step-by-step process homeowners can take to protest property tax valuations. If you missed that webinar, head over to habitatomaha.org/property-taxes to find the information covered. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, visit habitatomaha.org or call (402) 457-5657.
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NAMI Omaha Announces March Affiliate Meeting is Set for March 4 Through Zoom
NAMI Omaha’s next Mental Health NAMI Affiliate meeting will be held virtually through Zoom on March 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. The speaker is yet to be determined, but advance registration is required through Zoom, so contact namiomaha@gmail.com to request registration link. NAMI Omaha is a nonprofit organization made up of consumers, family members, professionals, and friends who have come together to share and take comfort in the commonality of their experiences and to educate members of their communities about serious brain disorders. Along with providing education, literature, support, workshops, conferences, and more, NAMI Omaha actively advocates at the local, state, and national levels to improve the services for and the lives of those affected by mental illness and their families. For more information about NAMI Omaha, visit namiomaha.org or call (402) 345-8101 / (877) 463-6264. For helpful articles about mental illness, follow NAMI Omaha on Facebook (@NAMIOmaha).
Nebraska’s Animal Loving Advocates Rescue Another 106 Animals, Seeking Forever Homes
After their rescue of 96 cats and dogs on December 23, “Just in Time for Christmas,” Nebraska’s Animal Loving Advocates (NALA) took in another 106 animals from the same overwhelmed Arkansasbased organization on January 30, for a total of 202 animals in five weeks! Founder Angie Hospodka and volunteers continue to work tirelessly to provide shelter, medical coverage, nutrition, love, and foster homes to these desperate animals and are working to find them safe, forever homes. The Omaha-based animal-rescue organization saves animals from across the country and could not exist without the tireless efforts of volunteers and the generous contributions from donors. NALA's mission is to revolutionize the way people think about animals and animal rescue. They educate people about the dangers of puppy mills and the realities of backyard breeders, in their effort to provide loving homes to all the dogs and cats they encounter, including the feral, the unwanted, the damaged, and the lost. NALA believes that every living creature not only deserves love but also has so much love to offer. NALA approaches this mission through their core values of love for all living things and faith that our culture can change, and together we can create a world where rescues are no longer needed. If you are interested in adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating, please visit www.nalarescue.org or their Facebook page (@nalarescue), where you’ll also find wonderful photos of some of the cats and dogs ready for adoption!
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Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue is adapting its logistics and distribution model to meet emerging needs for more food to feed the hungry during the pandemic. When donations from regular food donors dropped because of business closures and supply-chain issues, Saving Grace joined the community conversation addressing increased food insecurity. Offering Saving Grace’s transportation and logistics services led to partnerships with the Omaha Restaurant Association, Food Bank for the Heartland, Millard Public Schools, Catholic Charities, and the COVID-19 Garden/Farming Response group. Capacity-building was also a focus, as a new refrigerated van and two team members—a deputy director and manager of field operations—were added.
“The pandemic underscored the need for greater equity in access to healthy perishable foods, and this expansion enables us to make a larger impact,” said CEO and Founder Beth Ostdiek Smith. During 2020, this response to the pandemic resulted in Saving Grace transporting 700,000 pounds of nutritious perishable food. As businesses closed their kitchens, Saving Grace rescued their surplus food. Drivers also transported Farmers to Families food boxes from partner locations to other nonprofits that feed the hungry.
Since operations began in October 2013, Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue has rescued 5,367,709 pounds of perishable food. This translates to 2,680 tons of food that has been kept out of the landfills. To learn more, call (402) 215- 6718 or visit savinggracefoodrescue.org.
The Hope Center for Kids is accepting registrations for the 19th annual The Hope Golf Classic, scheduled for Monday, June 14—and you’ll want to register your foursome quickly because it sells out fast every year. The outing will be at Champions Run golf course in Omaha, with a shotgun start at noon, and meals and prizes included. Proceeds from the event support lifeimpacting programs at The Hope, the mission of which is to inspire hope in the lives of youth and children through education, employability, collaboration, and faith. The Hope Center for Kids provides a safe after-school and summer program where children and youth can take part in the academic support, youth development, faith-based learning opportunities, and receive a hot meal every night. It all started with a vision in the heart of the late Pastor Ty Schenzel, who saw the need for hope in the lives of kids who could not see beyond their circumstances, and his vision became a reality in 1998. More than 20 years later, The Hope is led by Pastor Ty’s son-in-law, Paul Lanphier, and is home to multiple learning spaces, including an Employment & Learning Academy, a commercial kitchen and cafeteria, and the Hope Skate roller rink. To learn more about The Hope Center for Kids or register for The Hope Golf Classic, visit hopecenterforkids.com, or contact Lou Valla at (402) 341-4673, ext. 1050 / lou@hopecenterforkids.com. Sponsorships are available for this year’s event by contacting Emily at (402) 341-4673, ext. 1028.
Omaha Beef Faith & Family Night Set for April 3 to Benefit Open Door Mission
Mark your calendars for April 3 to enjoy the Omaha Beef Faith & Family Night, which benefits Open Door Mission. The football game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Ralston Arena and will include “Sock it to ‘em” night, where fans are asked to bring brand new packaged men’s tube socks to throw out onto the field after the first Beef touchdown. All of the socks will be donated to Open Door Mission. Tickets for the game are $18 apiece, and $4 from each ticket sale will also be donated to the Mission.
Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission that meets the needs of individuals and families while inspiring HOPE for lasting change. Each day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 917 safe shelter beds to homeless men, women and children, serves nearly 4,750 nutritious meals and provides preventive services to more than 1,000 people living in poverty. For more information, visit opendoormission. org or contact Kristen Dineen at (402) 829-1538 / KDineen@ opendoormission.org. To purchase your tickets for the Omaha Beef Faith & Family Night, visit FEVO.ME/BEEF-OPENDOOR.
Omaha Home for Boys Golf Classic June 9
The annual Omaha Home for Boys (OHB) Golf Classic, presented by RBC Wealth Management, is slated for Wednesday, June 9 at Tiburon Golf Club in Omaha. Proceeds from this fun-filled day benefit the more than 1,300 youth, young adults, children, and families served by OHB every year. Check-in will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and a shotgun start at noon. The day concludes with a dinner, raffle, brief program, and awards. “We always have such a great time at the Golf Classic every year, and Tiburon is just such a beautiful course,” said OHB Chief Development Officer Lori Bechtold. “We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone on June 9 and raising funds for the youth and families here at OHB.” The Omaha Home for Boys equips youth, young adults, and families with the skills they need to become self-sufficient and productive members of the community. Programs include Inspiration Hill Residential Living, Jacob’s Place Transitional Living, Branching Out Independent Living, Supportive Housing, and clinical services, in addition to support services in the form of education and scholarships, Youth Mart, and Valley View 4-H. Registration for the four-person Golf Classic scramble tournament now is open, and spots are filling up quickly, so register right away at OHB.org or by contacting Lori Bechtold at (402) 457-7014 or email giving@ohb.org.
Jennie Edmundson Foundation Seeks Donations to COVID-19 Response Fund
The Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation created its COVID-19 Response Fund, and they are encouraging the community to continue supporting their efforts by donating supplies or making a financial contribution. Your gift to the Jennie Edmundson Foundation’s Emergency COVID-19 Pandemic Response Fund will be used to help patients and caregivers who are impacted by this disease and to address emerging areas of greatest need, including:
• Assisting uninsured and underinsured low-income patients to cover healthcare costs related to COVID-19. • Providing financial help with necessary everyday living expenses and housing for some of the most vulnerable patients who may not be able to shelter at home. • Support and enable their healthcare staff to sustain resilience as they continue to provide safe, high-quality care to patients and the community. • Ensuring that Jennie Edmundson has sufficient personal protection equipment, supplies, and medical equipment to keep healthcare workers healthy while caring for patients. The Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation is indebted to the longtime support they have received from large and small communities across southwest Iowa and the Omaha metro area. Consider making an impact by honoring the Jennie Edmundson healthcare providers who are facing the pandemic challenge with confidence and grace. Your tax-deductible gift will provide much-needed support during this unprecedented time. For more information, please visit http://jehfoundation.org/greatestneeds/covid-19-response/ or call 712-396-6040.
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Midlands Community Foundation Raises $930K in Matching Charitable Program
Midlands Community Foundation is pleased to announce that its MCF Matching Charitable Program that ran from December 1, 2020, through January 5, 2021, raised nearly $930,000, with $476,020 qualifying for matching funds. Under the Matching Charitable Program, MCF provided matching funds for NEW contributions made to existing and newly created Affiliated General, Designated, Donor Advised, Field of Interest, and Scholarship Funds. Matching donations were made on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to a limit of $5,000 per individual donor, and subject to a maximum of $100,000 of matching dollars being available in the aggregate for all Funds. Because more than $100,000 was contributed on an aggregate basis to all Funds, the matching dollars were prorated among such donors based on the total contributions made. “We are so pleased to be able to help our donors stretch their charitable dollars. The results exceeded our expectations and allowed us to provide our more than 150 charitable funds an opportunity to raise awareness, and most importantly, encourage new donors to support their charitable causes in the areas of arts, education, health care, human services, and community and economic development,” said Tonee Gay, Midlands Community Foundation executive director.
The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to benefit the diverse needs of the Sarpy and Cass county communities by providing financial support, involvement, and service. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $10 million dollars to many worthy organizations through its grants program, discretionary giving, and special events. Learn more online at midlandscommunity.org.
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JDRF’s 2021 Promise Gala Set for April 17
Mark your calendar for the virtual 2021 JDRF Promise Gala, airing LIVE at 7 p.m. on April 17. Get comfy on your couch and make it a special night with your family. By joining in virtually, YOU control the guest list, the dress code, and more. The Gala promises to be an incredible event, with a goal of preserving the beloved elements of the Gala programs that you have come to know and love, including an online auction and inspiring giving opportunities. This year’s theme, Stronger Together, honors our resilient community, which has come together to fight for cures and therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D). The JDRF Nebraska-Southwest Iowa Gala—Stronger Together will be an unforgettable evening uniting the T1D community to share progress made, celebrate this community’s philanthropic spirit, and remind the world that we won’t stop until we cure this disease! Watch Party Packages for the Gala are available at $400, $2,500, and $5,000, and sponsorships are offered at $10,000, $15,000, and $25,000. If you are unable to attend, you may make a 100% tax-deductible donation to research through JDRF’s Fund a Cure Program. JDRF is the leading global organization funding T1D research. Their goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, policy influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D. For more information or to register for the JDRF Promise Gala, call (402) 397-2873 or visit jdrf.org/nebraskaiowa and scroll down to “Events.”
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‘commUNITY: Herald Native Women’ Marks Vision Maker Media’s 45th Anniversary
In commemoration of its 45th anniversary, Vision Maker Media has launched its first online program for 2021, titled “commUNITY: Herald Native Women.” The online program celebrates Women’s History Month with the communitythemed online film streaming event. The celebration will be a panel discussion and a program of films available for streaming 24/7 throughout March, both free and open to the public. commUNITY: Herald Native Women is the culmination of six documentaries all produced or directed by Native women. The program portrays Native women in leadership, coming of age, and language revitalization. All the films will be available worldwide. In partnership with Americans for Indian Opportunity (AIO), Vision Maker Media is presenting a moderated panel with Native women leaders who are among the more than 250 graduates of AIO’s Ambassadors Program. For more than 50 years, AIO advances, from an Indigenous worldview, the cultural political and economic rights of indigenous peoples in the United States and around the world. Vision Maker Media is a nonprofit established in 1976 with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Nebraska Educational Television (NET). Their mission is to empower and engage Native people to share stories. Currently, Vision Maker Media has 28 projects in various stages of production and 34 films in publicmedia broadcasting, five of which were added in fiscal year 2020. To learn more about “community: Herald Native Women,” visit visionmakermedia.org.
HETRA Recognizes Volunteers of the Year, Seeks More Volunteers to Provide Support
Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA) recently held a Volunteer Appreciation Event to recognize people who have provided extraordinary service to their mission during the last year. In fact, HETRA has always relied heavily on volunteers, and they’re looking for more people who want to help them serve a good cause! Session volunteers work with participants to provide emotional, educational, and physical support throughout each session, and barnmaintenance volunteers help ensure they have a clean, functional barn and a healthy herd. You don’t need any experience, as HETRA provides all the training you need. If you’re interested, learn more at hetra.org/volunteer. At its recent Volunteer Appreciation Event, HETRA recognized the following amazing people for their service: Masha Borchert, Youth Volunteer of the Year; Carol Teske, New Volunteer of the Year; Tracy Robledo-Clark, Substitute Volunteer of the Year; Jill Shwiner, Special Programs Volunteer of the Year; Roberto Macedo, Barn Maintenance Volunteer of the Year; Carrie Lindell, Conditioning Volunteer of the Year; Kyle Black, Feeding Volunteer of the Year; and Deborah Bean, Adult Volunteer of the Year. HETRA’s mission is to improve the quality of life both physically and emotionally for adults and children of all ability levels through equineassisted activities. Year round, HETRA serves a variety of participants including children and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, TBI, autism, developmental delays, and strokes. HETRA also has robust Veterans and First Responder offerings as well. For more information or to participate or donate, call (402) 359-8830, or visit hetra.org.
Stephen Center Serves 1,278 People in Need in 2020
Despite the unprecedented challenges of the past year, Stephen Center continued to deliver safe services to individuals and families, which included 1,278 individuals in need. With the community’s support, Stephen Center served 203,472 meals, moved 89% of clients to positive housing destinations, served 30,000 collective volunteer hours, and donated furniture and household items to 68 households in 2020. “It’s easy to focus on the number served, meals provided, and volunteer hours…all of these things have impact in the lives of individuals and facilities in our community,” Executive Director Michael Wehling said, “but the real impact is measured in the smiles of people who experienced homelessness, addiction, or poverty as they find stable housing for themselves and their loved ones.” Located in South Omaha, Stephen Center serves the homeless, addicted, and those in poverty. The campus includes a homeless emergency shelter, inpatient/outpatient co-occurring treatment, and permanent supportive housing for disabled and low-income individuals. To learn more or to donate, go online to www. stephencenter.org or call (402) 715-5442.
Unrestricted Endowments Growing Across Nebraska Community Foundation Network
Five communities in the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) network recently raised a combined $3.75 million to pursue hometown dreams. By the end of 2020, NCF affiliated funds in Howells, Columbus, Imperial, Keith County, and Stuart had each met a $500,000 fundraising goal. Their success means each will receive a $250,000 match, for a grand total of $750,000. That money goes straight into their affiliated fund’s unrestricted community endowment—a savings account that grows forever and provides perpetual annual payout, which offers volunteers opportunities to award locally-controlled grants for community betterment. Currently, 80 NCF affiliated funds are building community unrestricted endowments—46 of which have an annual payout of more than $10,000. Altogether, these unrestricted endowments total more than $60 million—a substantial increase from $12 million in 2012. Grants from unrestricted endowments are creating change that may otherwise not occur across the state. Some examples include affordable housing development in Keith County, early childhood development in Boone County, non-traditional scholarships in Nebraska City, K-12 curriculum enhancement in Shickley, entrepreneurship and small business development in Valley County, youth engagement in Norfolk, and leadership development in Brown County. Headquartered in Lincoln with employees working from hometowns in every corner of the state, Nebraska Community Foundation provides financial management, strategic development, donor education, and training in partnership with 1,500 volunteers serving 272 hometowns in 83 Nebraska counties. Since 1994, NCF has reinvested $393.1 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org or call (402) 323-7330.
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RISE & Shine Online to Learn More About RISE Academy at 8 a.m. Friday, March 5
RISE Academy is hosting is RISE & Shine Online via Zoom from 8 to 9 a.m. on Friday, March 5. This casual, opentable gathering is where the RISE staff loves to meet new people, catch up with volunteers, answer questions, and tell anyone and everyone in the community about their programs and events. If you’ve ever been curious about what RISE does or would just like some casual community time with staff and past volunteers, this is a great way to connect—and you can start off your ‘Casual Friday’ with a smile.
RISE Academy’s mission is to help people find freedom from cycles of incarceration. They work with incarcerated individuals, include pre- and post-release. Their inside-out model bridges incarceration to the community and considers all the critical steps in that journey. RISE Academy prepares and trains people for each phase through intensive character development, employment readiness, job creation through entrepreneurship, and case management. To learn more, visit seeusrise.org. To get a link to the March 5 RISE & Shine Online, contact Chantal Randall at crandall@seeusrise.org or (531) 233-9348.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands Partners with Mobile Giving Platform
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands (BBBSM) recently partnered with the mobile giving platform, Roundit, to make donations easier. By signing up for Roundit, patrons can donate to the adult volunteers and children involved in BBBSM’s programs with every purchase they make. By signing up for a free, secure account (it only takes two minutes), interested donors can set a monthly spending limit and allow Roundit to round up their spare change so they can automatically donate to BBBSM and help kids throughout Omaha. BBBSM recognizes that relationships are more important now more than ever during these stressful times. That’s why BBBSM is giving patrons the opportunity to make an impact so they and other community members can help match youth on their waitlist with every grocery run, coffee, or other every day purchase. Sign up to help BBBSM through Roundit by visiting signup.roundit.com/cause/00093. For more than 60 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands has been creating meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers and children ages 7 – 21 in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area, with a goal of helping children realize their potential and build their futures. For more information or to volunteer, visit bbbsomaha.org.
