Big Give 2025 by Omaha Magazine

“People don’t think about how things end up on their doorstep. We do.”

Brian Elsasser Commercial Lending

OMAHA GIVES BACK

“Your Guide to Making a Difference Right Here at Home”

Omaha has always been a city of givers. Whether it’s in dollars, time, or effort, giving has always come easy to people in our city. But choosing where and how to give? That can be a little harder.

At every turn, there’s a great cause, an urgent need, or people doing great work. At a time when resources sometimes feel stretched thin, it’s easy to feel like you don’t know where to begin.

Enter Omaha Magazine ’s Big Give.

This 18th annual guide is meant to help cut through the noise and point you toward action. Inside, you’ll find more than 25 profiles of local nonprofits making a real impact in our community, as well as two features that look at the bigger picture. One looks at how federal funding cuts are pushing Nebraska nonprofits to the brink, and the other explores the meaning behind Warren Buffett’s unprecedented $6 billion gift to five foundations.

The nonprofit world is no stranger to scarcity, but this year feels different for many. As Anne Hindery, CEO of the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands, puts it, “Nonprofits have been doing more with less for a long time, and I think we’re going to see people may have to do less with less, and that’s going to impact us all.”

And yet, despite everything, there is still so much hope in these organizations—you’ll see it on every page. Whether you’re drawn to mental health support, animal rescue, youth mentoring, or another cause, chances are something in this book will speak to you, and maybe even stir you to act.

That’s our hope, anyway: to make the choice to give a little easier, to shine a light on the people doing the work, and to remind you that generosity is still one of the most powerful tools we have.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for caring.

Sincerely, Isaac

Nielsen

Assignment Editor, Omaha Publications isaac@omahapublications.com

Heartland Family Service is celebrating 150 years of dedication to the community. Each year, we connect with more than 100,000 individuals who turn to us for housing, survivor services, counseling and prevention, and support for basic needs.

EDITORIAL

Associate Editor & Staff Writer

NATALIE VELOSO

Assignment Editor & Staff Writer

ISAAC NIELSEN

Contributing Editor JEN LITTON

Editorial Intern

LUCY MASON

Contributing Writers

KARA SCHWEISS · TIM TRUDELL CREATIVE

Creative Director

RACHEL BIRDSALL

Senior Graphic Designer RENEÉ LUDWICK

Graphic Designer II NICKIE ROBINSON

Graphic Designer I JOEY WINTON

Chief Photographer

SARAH LEMKE

SALES

Branding & Digital Specialists

GIL COHEN · GREG BRUNS · DAWN DENNIS · FRANCINE FLEGG

GEORGE IDELMAN (POSTHUMOUS) · SANDY MATSON

TIM McCORMACK · KRISTEN SPRINGER

Senior Sales Coordinator

ALICIA HOLLINS

Sales Coordinator SANDI M cCORMACK

Director of Business & Development

CAROLE SPRUNK OPERATIONS

Business Manager KYLE FISHER

Ad Traffic Manager

DAVID TROUBA

Digital Manager

LUIS DE LA TOBA

Distribution Manager

CARSON KRUSE

EXECUTIVE

Publisher

TODD LEMKE

CEO

BILL SITZMANN

For Advertising & Subscription Information : 402.884.2000

18th Annua l

PROFILES

12. Autism Action Partnership

13. Avenue Scholars

14. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands

15. Child Saving Institute

16. Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement

17. Collective for Youth

18. Completely Kids

19. Elite Disability Services

20. Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation

21. Florence Mill and Winter Quarters Mill Museum

22. The Jewish Federation of Omaha

23. Hillcrest Foundation for Enhancing Lives

28. Metro Area Youth Foundation

29. Metropolitan Community College Foundation

30. Midwest Geriatrics

31. Nebraska Humane Society

32. Nebraska Public Media (NET)

33. Omaha Children’s Museum

34. Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards

35. Omaha Home for Boys

36. Open Door Mission

37. Partnership 4 Kids

38. QLI

39. The Salvation Army

40. The Sheltering Tree

41. Stephen Center

42. Set Me Free Project

43. YMCA of Greater Omaha

44. Together

45. Visiting Nurse Association (VNA)

EVENTS

46. Carole’s House of Hope

46. Table Grace Cafe

46. Vita Nova

FEATURES

8. Balancing Act

24. Generous Gift

Nebraska’s Nonprofits Brace for a Tipping Point

STORY Tim Trudell

PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Lemke

DESIGN Rachel Birdsall

Whether Nebraskans realize it or not, nonprofits touch their lives on a daily basis. Their impact can range from swimming to healthcare in lifethreatening situations.

“Nonprofits were involved in the Clean Air Act, so we can breathe easier,” said Anne Hindery, chief executive officer of the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. “Many hospitals in Nebraska are nonprofits, so if you know anybody who had a baby. Culture like the Omaha Performing Arts. They’re just everywhere. We’re the community fabric that really underlines everything.”

With 800 members across Nebraska and western Iowa, Nonprofit Association of the Midlands supports organizations seeking to make a difference in their communities, Hindery said. Omaha nonprofits make up about half of its membership.

Metro area nonprofits received more than $250 million in contributions in 2024, according to the Omaha Community Foundation, one of NA M’s members.

“Omaha has a very generous community, compared to others nationally,” Hindery said. “We have a greater footprint, or philanthropy does, than in other states, and many of the local foundations are serving statewide, as well.

“Most of the foundations have an endowment that they spend, at least 5% of it,” she said. “We’ve seen a lot of generosity, especially through the pandemic. Local foundations kept a lot of agencies, especially the human services, alive.”

Among major supporters of Omaha nonprofits, Susie Buffett’s Sherwood Foundation offers local organizations ongoing support, H indery said.

“Sherwood Foundation is unique,” she said. “They don’t have an endowment. Whatever they get, they pass it on.”

Among Omaha’s top nonprofit benefactors are the Walter Scott Family Foundation, Peter Kiewit Foundation, the Mammel Foundation, Robert K. Daughtery Foundation, and the Eagle Foundation (Ja mes Cabela).

Working with nonprofits of all sizes, missions can vary from childcare to domestic violence, H indery said.

“I like to say we’re the third leg of the economy,” she said. “We partner with the government to offer services at a more nimble and cost-effective manner. We partner with the private sector to offer services to their employees and thei r families.”

Since President Donald Trump took office in January, nonprofits across the country have been targeted for cuts in federal funding, with many organizations losing support. Congress rescinded nearly $9 billion in previously approved funds that included budget for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, jeopardizing the future of public media nonprofits nationwide.

It’s part of a changing landscape, Hindery said. Nonprofits face an uncer tain future.

“A lot of community nonprofits are invisible. We’ve always been there, so people don’t see it until it starts disappearing. Nonprofits have been doing more with less for a long time, and I think we’re going to see people may have to do less with less, and that’s going to impact us all.”

—Anne Hindery

“I know those nonprofits that have been notified that they’re losing money, they’re starting to have those conversations just to get their staff aware and along,” Hindery said. “I think in the first couple months, everybody was just keeping their head down. We’re still seeing some of that, except for the ones that they know it’s coming, and they have to prepare their employees and the ir clients.”

Suzanne Smith of The Bridge, a Fremont nonprofit that works with victims of domestic violence, prepared three budgets for her fiscal year—one with full federal funding, one with a 30% reduction in federal funds and one without fe deral funds.

Smith said she was determined not to cut assistance for people.

Smith isn’t alone in making tough decisions, H indery said.

“You have to look at who you serve, and the consequences if you cut those programs ,” she said.

As nonprofits look at deep cuts to their budgets, several have to consider job cuts or at least leaving open positions unfille d.

Nonprofits play a major role in Nebraska’s economy with about 90,000 people working for a 501(c)(3)—one in 11—she said. Nationall y, it’s 10%.

“I think that’s so aggravating, and it’s going to be a really rough ride, but I don’t know how aware people in the community are ,” she said.

Nonprofits across the state face challenges like they’ve never seen before, H indery said.

“There was a childcare workforce shortage before all this began, so that’s going to grow from there,” she said. “Food insecurity is going to be an ongoing concern. One in seven Nebraskans is food insecure. And so, with the cuts, the food banks and pantries are going to b e stretched.

“But they’re only going to have so much that they can do. It’s interesting, because during the pandemic, the need really increased for food banks, and I don’t think it’s gone down at all. It’s going to continue to increase, and we’re going to see more people who are going to be hungry, and more children who are going to be hungry. And how we as a community want to address some of these needs, we’l l find out.”

It’s realistic to expect an uptick in unemployment, homelessness, and lack of childcare, Hindery said. That will impact people acros s the board.

“If domestic violence programs are cut, we’re going to see an increase in domestic violence,” Hindery said. “If after-school programs are cut, we’re going to see an increase of juveniles, maybe not little kids, but teenagers or junior high, out and about on the streets, may likely see an increase in teen pregnancy, as we saw before we had a lot of childcare options. So it’s just going to impact ev ery aspect.”

Besides cuts in federal funding, nonprofits are experiencing less support among private foundations, Hindery said. Omaha’s charitable organizations have been beneficial, but NAM understands their priorities are changin g, she said.

“The transfer of wealth that we’ve heard about for years is actually happening,” Hindery said. “Maybe the mom and dad who started the foundation, they’ve passed it on to their children, who may or may not live in Nebraska. Will that money stay in Nebraska or will it go elsewhere?”

The Holland Foundation announced almost 10 years ago it would sunset contributions by 2026. The Peter Kiewit Foundation recently announced it is spending down donations by 2030.

“They’ve been very generous with what they support, and I’m grateful that they gave people a five-year notice,” H indery said.

As the key players for charitable donations age or die, foundations begin to review their role in community suppor t, she said.

“They don’t want to be there in perpetuity,” Hindery said. “So it’s just really a personal decision for foundations, some that want to be there and some that don’t.

“I think because the farther you get away from the donor, it’s easier to get away from what the donor’s intent for that foundation is, the impact, and who’s going to run it. Some foundations are plan ning ahead.”

Buffett’s Sherwood Foundation and the Lozier Foundation plan to continue supporting local causes, Hindery said. But while Omaha remains a charitable community, as funding dries up, people will eventually not ice changes.

“A lot of community nonprofits are invisible,” Hindery said. “We’ve always been there, so people don’t see it until it starts disappearing. Nonprofits have been doing more with less for a long time, and I think we’re going to see people may have to do less with less, and that’s going to impa ct us all.”

MISSION STATEMENT

To improve the quality of life of persons on the Autism Spectrum and their families through education, advocacy, and support, thereby enabling them to be an integral part of the community.

UPCOMING EVENTS

A Vintage Affaire XVII Gala

September 27, 2025

World Autism Day Celebration

April 4, 2026

6th Annual Swing for the Spectrum Golf Fundraiser

May 4, 2026

WISH LIST

• Corporate partners

• COMPASS inclusion training opportunities with organizations & corporations

• Employment opportunities for Prosper Workforce Services

• Inclusion event opportunities

• Volunteer Guild members

• Donations

AUTISM ACTION PARTNERSHIP

10909 Mill Valley Road, Suite 205

Omaha, NE 68154

402.763.8830

AutismAction.org

info@AutismAction.org

FOR EXPANDED CONTENT:

Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears.

BACKGROUND

Autism Action Partnership (AAP) is Nebraska’s only organization solely dedicated to serving the autism community. For nearly 20 years, AAP has offered programs that fill critical gaps—especially for those who may not qualify for public services. While many supports end after high school, we continue to expand opportunities for autistic adults and promote lifelong inclusion and prosperity.

We also advance inclusion by training first responders, healthcare providers, employers, arts/entertainment venues and others to better support autistic individuals. AAP relies on generous local donors and partners to sustain our work. We do not offer reimbursable services—instead, we provide innovative, community-based supports that meet people where they are and help them build connection, independence, and quality of life.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Today, 1 in 31 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and an estimated 1 in 45 adults are autistic. These growing numbers highlight the urgent need for meaningful programs, inclusive environments, and compassionate support systems.

AAP is committed to meeting this need by providing innovative services and creating opportunities across the lifespan. As the autism community grows and diversifies, so must our efforts.

Support from individuals, businesses, and foundations helps ensure the sustainability of our mission. Whether through a donation, partnership, or shared advocacy, your support helps build a more inclusive future. Join us in making a lasting impact.