Who We Are

The Women’s Fund of Omaha

We work on the most critical challenges facing anyone who experiences gender-based oppression by identifying issues through research, funding solutions by investing grant money in local nonprofits and leading dynamic change by advocating for effective policy solutions.

“When we center the needs of women, especially women of color, our communities thrive.” – Jo Giles, Women’s Fund Executive Director

Research, Grant Making and Advocacy

Since 1990, the Women’s Fund has provided more than $56 million in grants to programs working on addressing the most crucial issues as identified by our research.

We are the only local foundation that provides grants exclusively to programs addressing gender-based inequities, and we are the leading organization researching issues impacting anyone who experiences gender-based oppression.

Our research looks at intersectional issues, including:

  • Economic conditions
  • Access to sexual health education and health services
  • Domestic Violence
  • Status of Women’s Leadership

Download our fact sheet to learn more about the Women’s Fund. Be an advocate for issues addressing gender-based inequities at the Nebraska Legislature.

Our Mission

The Women’s Fund addresses gender-based inequities in our community through collaboration that identifies, researches and creates solutions to advance, educate and fund lasting impact.

Our Vision

A community where all women and girls have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

How We Discuss Gender
Women and girls includes anyone who identifies as a woman or girl. Our work, including funding and advocacy efforts, is inclusive of all individuals, including transgender and gender expansive people, that experience gender oppression.

Our Values

Equity – We are committed to social justice. We actively acknowledge and continuously work to disrupt systemic oppression and remove barriers to equity in our own organization and throughout all of our partnerships and initiatives. We consistently evaluate the impact of our work through an anti-oppressive lens.

Bold Impact – We impact large-scale innovative systems changes aligned to our vision for the future. We use our privilege as funders and individuals to further our mission. We are willing to show up imperfectly in the name of progress.

Collaboration – We believe that we will go further together than alone. We work through partnerships and relationships built on mutual trust and understanding. We center the voices of those who have been most impacted by the systems we aim to disrupt. We actively work to use our position as a funder to hold our partners accountable to our values.

Community Voice – We listen to, amplify and center the voices of those with lived experience who live at the margins. We utilize our resources and relationships to best amplify those perspectives in our community. We strive to disrupt systems of oppression by amplifying diverse lived experiences.

Intersectionality – We value all aspects of identity and recognize that each create unique experiences of discrimination, power and privilege. This guides the complex and trauma-informed responses and solutions we advocate for in the community.

Bodily Autonomy – We believe everyone has a right to control their own bodies. This belief provides direction for the work that we do and informs our stance on issues. We respect a person’s ability to make their own decisions about their bodies, and work to protect this right.

Rest – We honor that rest is a right and not a privilege or reward. We believe that rest is a foundation to innovate, restore and reimagine our collective work. When we center our team’s rest, care, space, and connections, we can disrupt systems of oppression and build a new future for us all.

Our Research

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Women’s Fund does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, or economic status, in any of its programs, activities, and employment. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, and partners.

The Women’s Fund is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.