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.
|
Our Mission
The Women's Fund of Greater Omaha examines issues and conducts research
to provide informed support for initiatives that improve the lives of
metropolitan area women and girls.
Our Vision
A community where every woman and girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential.
|