History
In 1990, a small group of visionary women leaders in Omaha recognized that women's
issues and programs were not receiving sufficient funding. They established the
Women's Fund within the Omaha Community Foundation through a grant from the Ford/MacArthur
Foundation. The mission of these women was to create opportunities for the economic,
physical, emotional, social, artistic and personal growth of women and girls. Their
goal was to enable women to achieve full partnership in the Omaha community.
1993 – The Women’s Fund recognized the need for quality child care as a
major issue in our community. In response, the Outstanding Child Care Provider
Awards program was initiated and continued for five years.
1994 – Domestic violence and leadership were added to the Women’s Fund
priorities. The first research report, “How Are Women Doing in Omaha?,”
was produced.
1995 – “Can We Stop the Violence?,” the second research report produced
by the Women’s Fund, laid the groundwork for the Domestic Violence Coordinating
Council. The Leadership Talent Bank was initiated to create a databank of
female candidates for area board positions.
1996 – The first edition of A Celebration for Women was published.
A third research report, “Women & Leadership,” was produced. The first
fundraising program for the endowment closed with 268 founders, and the Fund reached
its initial endowment goal of $1.5 million.
1997 – The magazine, Today’s Omaha Woman, published its premier
issue. The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council began to operate as a separate
organization. The first WomanSpirit Award was presented to Gail Walling Yanney.
1998 – The premier issue of the Women’s Fund newsletter, the rib, debuted
and the Women’s Fund opened its Web site. The second WomanSpirit award was
presented to Margre Durham, and the second edition of A Celebration of Women was
published.
2000 – The third edition of A Celebration of Women was published.
The Workforce Leadership Taskforce undertook the updating of the “Women & Leadership”
research study.
2001 – The Women’s Fund became an independent charitable organization with
new office facilities. The third and fourth WomanSpirit awards were presented
to Dianne Seeman Lozier and Marian Ivers. The first annual fall luncheon was held
featuring Joan Peters.
2002 - The Women’s Fund moved to 7642 Pierce Street. A follow-up
research report was published entitled “What Women Want at Work.” The second
annual fall luncheon featured Judith Hope and attracted an audience of nearly 800
people.
2003 - A new, improved newsletter was introduced. The
fifth WomanSpirit award was presented to Mimi Waldbaum. A five-year, $20,000
pledge to the Latina Resource Center was completed. The first giving circle training
was held. The third annual fall luncheon featured T. Marni Vos and raised
$45,000.
2004 - The Women’s Fund raised money for and produced an $85,000 multi-media
campaign to combat the epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the community
by encouraging testing of young people. The first annual G.I.R.L Summit was
held. Judy Mayotte was the keynote speaker at the luncheon.
2005 - The first Ready to Run Candidate school was held in partnership
with the Lincoln Lancaster Women’s Commission. The sixth WomanSpirit award
honored Mary Heng-Braun. The fourth edition of Celebration of Women was published.
Marie C. Wilson of the White House Project spoke at the fifth annual luncheon which
raised more than $75,000. $110,000 was awarded in grants.
2006 - The second annual Ready to Run Candidate School was held in partnership
with the Lincoln Lancaster Women’s Commission. The second annual G.I.R.L.
Summit was held and featured the release of the G.I.R.L. Report, the product of
two years of research about girls in the Omaha community. The Women’s Fund was awarded
an Alegent Community Benefit Trust grant in the amount of $127,250 to expand and
extend the multi-media campaign educating Omaha’s youth about Sexually Transmitted
Diseases. The grant, along with a $10, 000 match from the Women’s Fund, also
funded two public health educators to reach out to disproportionately affected areas
of the community. The first annual “Ladies Sing the Blues” event was held
to promote women’s health and raise funds for the Women’s Fund. The dynamic evening
featured blues singer Dawn Tyler Watson. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founder and president
of the Center for Work-Life Policy, spoke at the sixth annual luncheon which raised
more than $65,000. $137,000 was awarded in grants.
2007 – The “Women & Leadership in Omaha” report was released, comparing
data with research from a decade earlier. A second “Ladies Sing the Blues”
event was held. The third annual Ready to Run workshop informed 40 women on the
fundamentals of running for political office. $25,000 was granted to G.I.R.L. for
a summer workshop on media literacy for teens. The Women’s Fund received an Alegent
Community Benefit Trust grant in the amount of $47,500 to expand and extend the
newspaper campaign educating Omaha’s youth about STDs. Sally Helgesen, author and
expert on women in leadership, spoke at the seventh annual luncheon which netted
$63,000. She also appeared at special events held for human resource professionals
and chief executive officers. $122,500 was awarded in grants to community organizations.
Today’s Omaha Woman magazine celebrated its tenth anniversary.
2008 – The “Women & Leadership in Omaha” findings continued to have
an impact in the community, as local companies and agencies implemented report recommendations.
The Ready2ServeOmaha Web site that matches volunteers with nonprofit leadership
opportunities was launched in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals
Council. $93,336 was awarded in community initiated grants. Excellence grants were
presented to Interfaith Health Services’ Latinas in Action program ($25,000 women’s
award) and Girls Inc.’s Success Prep program ($20,000 girls’ award). Networking
expert Susan RoAne spoke to 740 people who attended the annual fall luncheon. The
Women’s Fund launched a new Web site with interactive features, such as online donations.
Barbara Weitz was the seventh recipient of the WomanSpirit award. The fourth annual
Ready to Run workshop provided information on fundraising. The Women’s Fund relocated
to a larger office at 7602 Pacific St., Suite 300, which provides space for meetings.
2009 – With $125,000 awarded in grants, the total amount given by the Women’s Fund
since its inception exceeded $1 million. The 2009 total included Excellence Grants
awarded to Visiting Nurse Association ($25,000) and Camp Fire USA ($20,000). Nearly
200 participants attended the inaugural Ready To Serve board training workshop developed
to foster women’s leadership. A survey of nonprofit service providers led to a series
of focus groups and launch of Talk of the Town to promote networking between agencies.
More than 700 people attended the annual fall luncheon, which featured communications
expert Audrey Nelson and netted $68,000. Twelve of the women elected to recent office
were graduates of the Ready to Run candidate school, which continued to be held
annually. The campaign educating Omaha’s youth about Sexually Transmitted Diseases
continued. Sixty Omaha-area leaders attended a CEO breakfast that featured two of
the most powerful women in U.S. healthcare. More than 20 women were introduced to
the Women’s Fund and its work at the first Empower Hour.
2010 – The cumulative amount invested in local initiatives exceeded $2.5 million as the Women’s Fund celebrated its 20th anniversary. Grants totaling $125,000 were awarded, and the first Recycled Rides mini-van was presented to a College of Saint Mary nursing student. More than 800 people attended the 10th annual fall luncheon featuring Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the National American Red Cross. Omaha Fashion Week selected the Women’s Fund as its beneficiary, and special events were held in conjunction with the runway shows. Nearly 60 individuals and businesses supported the Women’s Fund with Platinum Circle contributions in honor of the 20th anniversary, and the Changemaker fundraising campaign was launched. The “Intimate Partner Violence in Omaha” research study looked at survivors’ needs and available services in the community.
2011 – A record crowd of nearly 900 attended the Annual Fall Luncheon to hear Wall Street veteran Carla Harris’ “pearls” of advice on how to thrive in the workplace. Grants totaling $133,000 and a Recycled Rides mini-van also were presented. The Women and Leadership in Omaha update expanded to include women on corporate boards and in senior management positions at Omaha’s largest employers. The Women’s Fund Circles group was launched to introduce young women leaders to the Women’s Fund’s work, as well as provide opportunities to network, interact with established professional women and learn about philanthropy.
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