For the past 5 years, generous metro Omahans have utilized SHAREomaha.org to create the change they wish to see in our community.
SHARE Omaha inspires year-round support and service by connecting impact makers to 600+ local nonprofits to do good by giving dollars, time, items and attending events.
This Generosity Report gives a glimpse into what donors and volunteers in our area care about and how they are giving their support and service. Data shared in this report represents SHAREomaha.org activity from 2019-2023.
KEY INSIGHTS:
Metro area residents are generous in multiple ways. Volunteers donate and vice versa. 55% of volunteers say they are likely to or already donated to the organizations they served.
Donors cite a wide variety of motivators for why they give to the organizations of their choice.
There is an urgent need to increase and diversify donors and volunteers to sustain our local nonprofits.
5-YEAR SUMMARY:
SHARE Omaha giving campaigns and year-round fundraising efforts have inspired $20+ million in giving and more than 10,000 volunteer applications.
275,000+ web visitors have utilized SHAREomaha.org to connect to 600+ nonprofits to choose their ways to make a difference.
DONOR INSIGHTS:
are first time donors to the organizations they choose
There is an urgent need to increase and diversify donors and volunteers to sustain the missions of our local nonprofits.
DONORS
AGE RANGE & GENDER BREAKDOWN
The majority of donors’ household income ranges between $50k and $149K.
“The site makes it very easy to locate organizations and donate. Thank you!” – SHARE Omaha User
EDUCATION
Tech/Vocational Training
Just under 75% of donors have a college degree or higher.
DONATION AMOUNTS
20K 15K 10K 5K
0K
27% of donors gave to a nonprofit for the first time
Donors often choose to introduce themselves to new nonprofits with a $20 gift.
WHY DONORS SAY THEY GIVE
I like to support nonprofits who are advocates for policy I believe in.
I’ve been blessed with generosity from others in the past and am now in a position to forward on the generosity to others.
Feels nice to give back to a cause that I support.
To help charities I care about.
Because there’s a need, and I have means. I believe in
I love to contribute to things bigger then myself that make a true difference in people’s lives.
For the kids. I believe in the ripple effect. I am blessed and want pass along support as best I can.
sharing.
Every little bit helps.
I believe in young people.
To help animal causes.
To make Omaha a better place for all.
It feels right to give back. I want to be a blessing to others.
VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEER INSIGHTS
Inspired volunteers, including individuals, families, community groups and corporations, have sent 10,000+ interest forms to local nonprofits.
The current value of a volunteer hour
$33.49
*calculated annually by the Do Good Institute at the University of Maryland
VOLUNTEER SEASONALITY
April, National Volunteer Month, receives the greatest amount of volunteer applications
“Choosing a volunteer opportunity from the SHARE Omaha site allowed us to learn more about a new local non-profit and learn more about our community. We were moved by the story of the nonprofit - and happy to help!”
“SHARE Omaha made it easy to connect and schedule my volunteer hours with a local nonprofit. I didn’t have to go searching, they had it all compiled in a list and I was signed up in minutes.”
SHARE Omaha Users
AGE GROUP DESIRED
Families are volunteering together. About 40% of volunteer applications are sent for opportunities that accept volunteers under the age of 18.
ON-SITE PREFERENCE
Volunteers are looking for flexibility! Almost 40% of volunteer applications are for opportunities that volunteers can do from anywhere.
GROUP SIZE PREFERENCES
As community groups and corporations are looking to make an impact together, and more companies are offering Volunteer Time Off (VTO) as a part of the employee benefits package, there is demand for volunteer opportunities for groups with 20+ people.
CAUSE
Volunteers are interested in serving a variety of causes, Human Services leading the list.
of volunteers say they are likely to or already donated to the organizations they serve.
“SHARE Omaha connected me with a nonprofit that is important to me. Volunteering gave me joy and a sense of purpose helping teens in the community with positive thoughts and how to seek help. My favorite memory is laughing and talking with other volunteers and employees while we made posters for mental health.”
“I got to hear some amazing stories about other people’s experiences at the shelters. It was a very humbling experience. I will continue to donate and offer my time and effort.”
SHARE Omaha Users
What the metro needs:
DOLLARS:
The Fundraising Effectiveness Project shares that the “latest quarterly data acutely shows the growing challenge for American nonprofits: a near-universal decline in fundraising metrics, including dollars raised, donor counts, and retention.”
Locally, the need to engage new, younger donors is clear. When we welcome a more diverse cross-section of givers to be a part of everyday philanthropy, all can have a say in shaping our community.
– Teresa Mardesen, SHARE Omaha Executive Director
VOLUNTEERS:
SHARE Omaha’s March 2024 survey of Omaha metro nonprofits revealed that 51% of volunteer needs are going unfilled each week .
94 organizations report needing a total of 69,865 volunteer hours each week with 34,249 being served currently.
The current Omaha metro volunteer shortage is creating a gap of $1.1 million in value across these 94 nonprofits each week, and more.
Our metro needs to encourage more people to discover meaningful and contagious volunteer experiences, so we can recruit the volunteer support urgently needed by local nonprofits to continue to carry out their missions.
“Absolutely enjoyed my time volunteering. Felt great to give back to our community!”
“It was easy to find the organization that I wanted to donate to. Just a few clicks and entering the necessary info and all was done. Just as simple as online shopping!”
“I love that I can donate to multiple nonprofits at once.”
SHARE Omaha Users
Circle Moments
A Circle Moment is when vital community pieces come together, align perfectly, and create a moment of magic - for good. We at SHARE Omaha are blessed to witness these special instances every day. Whether its givers discovering a cause to support wholeheartedly, volunteers raising their hands to help when a crisis or challenge arises around them, or nonprofit organizations giving their all to strengthen our community, these are the stories that fuel progress.
8-year-old volunteer, Anabel, created artwork and notes of gratitude for those who use SHARE Omaha to do good.
Volunteers read to preschoolers during Do Good Days.
Farm Credit Services of America volunteers thank Giving Tuesday donors.
Opportunities
Opportunities are abundant to join forces with likeminded donors and volunteers to be the future change-makers the metro needs!
600+ Nonprofits to sort, filter, find and fund
Education, Human Services, Youth Development, Health, Community, Arts & Culture, Food & Nutrition, Housing & Shelter, Animal Welfare, Environment
440+ Volunteer opportunities
Individuals, families, youth, groups, committee and board member positions, skills-based, at home and virtual volunteering, one-time and ongoing
Find your fit at
Thank You!
200+ Upcoming events to discover
200+ Shopping wish lists to send needed items directly to nonprofits
SHARE Omaha’s supporters make it possible to continue our mission of connecting the community to meaningful ways to do good. Please join us in thanking:
Annette and Paul Smith
Children’s Nebraska
City+Ventures
Cox Communications
CQuence Health
E Creative
First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation
Fiserv
Iowa West Foundation
Kiewit
Lozier Foundation
Mammel Family Foundation
Medical Solutions
Metropolitan Utilities District
Mutual of Omaha Foundation
Nebraska Health Network - Community Relay
Omaha Community Foundation
Omaha Public Power District
Omaha Steaks
Physicians Mutual
Rhonda and Howard Hawks
Robert B. Daugherty Foundation
Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation
The Sherwood Foundation
TS Bank
Wells Fargo
About SHARE Omaha
SHARE Omaha influences social change by connecting energized individuals, groups and organizations with ways to take action. SHARE Omaha helps Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders and Washington county nonprofits fulfill their missions by recruiting donors to share money, material goods and time. SHARE Omaha expands our area’s culture of giving by promoting and celebrating all ways of doing good for over 600 metro nonprofits. A one-stop everyday donation platform, SHARE Omaha does not keep any portion of what is donated. Use SHARE Omaha to find volunteer, donation and event opportunities that shape the community you want to live in at SHAREomaha.org.
