Refugee Community Grant Fund

The Refugee Community Grant Fund is one of five Community Interest Funds administered by the Omaha Community Foundation, with the goal of supporting initiatives that benefit refugee communities in Omaha. The fund is currently guided by an advisory board, with plans to transition to a leadership model composed of individuals who identify as current or former refugees. This shift underscores the foundation's commitment to community-led investment and decision-making rooted in lived experience. Funding decisions are informed by individuals who understand the distinct challenges and opportunities within local refugee populations. This approach ensures that grantmaking is responsive to the most pressing needs, while also promoting representation, inclusion, and empowerment within the communities served. Refugee representation among staff, leadership, and clients is actively considered during proposal evaluations, reinforcing the fund's focus on culturally competent programming. The fund prioritizes programs and services that support family stabilization, youth development, education, and cultural enrichment. Additional focus areas include mental and physical health, belonging, and social inclusion. Applications that involve collaborations between multiple organizations are particularly encouraged, fostering a coordinated approach to community support. Each year, the Refugee Community Grant Fund distributes up to $165,000 in total grant funding. Individual funding requests must not exceed $25,000. The average grant size typically falls between $5,000 and $15,000. Projects funded through this program must be completed within the same calendar year that the award is granted. Applications must be submitted via the Omaha Community Foundation’s online grant portal, with an annual application window that runs from January 1 to March 1 at 11:59 PM. Awards are announced in May. Eligible applicants include public tax-exempt organizations as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or groups working under the fiscal sponsorship of such organizations. Eligible projects must directly serve refugee communities in Douglas and Sarpy Counties in Nebraska. Prior grant recipients may reapply if they have submitted a final report. As a condition of eligibility, all applicants must align with the fund’s anti-discrimination clause, which prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, or military status. A copy of the organization’s anti-discrimination policy must be submitted with the application. The next application cycle is scheduled to open on January 1, 2026 and close on March 1, 2026.