There's no place like Omaha

The philanthropic community in Omaha is like none other around the country. Having lived in major cities I know this firsthand. Foundations and donors take the lead in funding impactful projects and initiatives –  we are fortunate to be in a metro area where this happens frequently. And when the philanthropic community provides financial support it actually validates the work of the beneficiaries.   

I have some very exciting news - the Y has recieved tremendous support from Omaha foundations and donors during the year for a variety of projects and initiatives that will provide life changing hope:

• A unique $7-million grant from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and the Iowa West Foundation that will serve as the lead gift for a new Y in Council Bluffs.
  
  
• Alegent Creighton Health: provided the second capital campaign gift for the Council Bluffs Y.
  
  
• The United Way of the Midlands fully funded our 2013/2014 allocation request.
  
  
• Anonymous donor: providing memberships for families who are at the 200% or greater poverty level.
  
  
• Lozier Foundation and the Lincoln Financial Foundation: teen programming.
  
  
• Millard Foundation: specialized body testing equipment for our diabetes, weight management and cancer survivor programs.
  
  
• CenturyLink: cancer survivor programming.
  
  
• Omaha Housing Authority: teen programming in South Omaha.
  
  
• David Scott Foundation: financial aid for children and families.
  
  
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska: pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes programming.
  
  
• Spectrum Resources and the Department of Labor: juvenile offenders program in North Omaha.
  
  
• First Data Foundation: South Omaha programming.
  
  
• YUSA: start-up funding for early learning readiness programming for immigrant caregivers and a diabetes program.
  

The Y has an impact...one person at at time

There are countless others who provide financial support to the Y through our Strong Communities Annual Campaign. It is an old-fashioned approach to fund-raising that still works today…actually talking to individual donors and telling stories that show life changing impact as a result of the Y’s work. This year we have raised over $700,000 to support the charitable work of the Y.

Although our geographic scope is large and we serve over 77,000 people, our approach is always one person at a time.

We do this through specific programs that have a focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.

Programs that are designed intentionally to cause life-saving hope for:

juvenile offenders who need an alternative to incarceration

immigrant and refugee families who need help assimulating to the US culture

individuals with health conditions that can be improved with exercise and education

preschoolers who need to get ready for kindergarten

teens who need a place to call their own

adults who want to give back to the community by volunteering

children who will learn water safety skills

families who deserve to participate regardless of their ability to pay

The Y is more than a building, it's about a place where individuals can experience life changing hope. Our motivation is simple, we want to be one of the organizations that makes the Greater Omaha area a wonderful place to live and work - a place like none other!

Until next time,

- Len Romano