Richard A. Shaw Funds for Non-profit Organizations in Nebraska and Iowa

The Richard A. Shaw Fund, administered by the Omaha Community Foundation, aims to support nonprofit organizations through grants. While the overarching mission alignment with the Omaha Community Foundation's broader goals isn't explicitly detailed, the fund's specific focus on history, natural sciences, outdoor education, and animal welfare suggests a commitment to enriching community life and supporting vulnerable populations. This aligns with a general philanthropic mission of fostering education and protecting animal well-being within the designated service area. The grant program targets two primary beneficiary groups: public school programs serving students aged 5-18, and nonprofit organizations benefiting animals. For public schools, the focus is on programs emphasizing history, natural sciences, and outdoor education. For animal-benefiting nonprofits, there is a strong preference for those involved in equine therapy. Organizations must be located in the Omaha metropolitan area, including Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie Counties. The priorities and focuses of the Richard A. Shaw Fund are clear: enhancing educational opportunities in specific subjects for public school students and supporting animal welfare, particularly through equine therapy. The program's design suggests an emphasis on direct service and community impact within these two distinct areas. While not explicitly stated as "strategic priorities," these focus areas demonstrate the fund's intent to channel resources toward specific, impactful initiatives. The expected outcomes and measurable results, while not detailed with specific metrics, can be inferred. For public school programs, the desired outcome is an enhancement of education in history, natural sciences, and outdoor education. For animal-benefiting organizations, the goal is to improve animal welfare, with a specific interest in the therapeutic benefits of equine programs. The grant size, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and the total awarded amount of $3,500 across a maximum of two grants, indicates a focus on smaller-scale projects or programs that can demonstrate tangible benefits within their respective fields. The foundation's underlying theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in public school education and animal welfare programs, particularly those with a therapeutic component, they can contribute to a more educated populace and a healthier, more compassionate community. The limited number and size of grants suggest a targeted approach, aiming for significant impact within specific, well-defined areas rather than a broad, diffuse reach. The preference for equine therapy further underscores a belief in its unique benefits for both animals and, indirectly, human well-being.