Scholarships and Grants

Anything Grants are funded by the Staenberg Family Foundation and are administered by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Since 2017, nearly $300,000 has been awarded in Anything Grants supporting Jewish non-profit organizations and synagogues in Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs.
 
This is a funding opportunity for Jewish organizations in Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs, IA. To do anything! Eligible grant applications could be for anything, including:  hiring a nonprofit consultant, purchasing technology, staff/board professional development, building beautification / improvement. These one-time matching grants will range from $1,000 to $5,000, equal to 50% of the project budget. New this year – component parts of larger projects will now be eligible for Anything Grants! Organizations are responsible for raising the remaining 50% from other sources. Also new this year, in-kind donations will be accepted as part of this needed match! Project budget not to exceed $10,000. Your project must be completed, matching funds raised, and paperwork submitted by May 15, 2024 in order to receive your funds.

Michael and Carol Staenberg chose to establish the Staenberg Family Foundation in 2005 to mobilize resources needed to preserve and enhance Jewish life in St. Louis, Israel and around the world. In 2017, they expanded their support to Omaha, where Michael was born and raised. The Staenbergs hope that their actions will inspire others to give back to the community by funding Anything Grants to benefit Jewish organizations in Omaha, Lincoln or Council Bluffs.  We are so grateful to be the recipients of the generosity of the Staenberg Family Foundation.

For more information about Michael Staenberg’s passion for the Omaha community, read this Jewish Press article.

 

Goals of Anything Grants:

• Contribute to local agencies that help create thriving Jewish communities in Omaha, Lincoln and Council Bluffs.
• Leave a lasting legacy by spreading tangible acts of goodwill throughout the Omaha, Lincoln and Council Bluffs Jewish communities.
• Encourage other members of the local Jewish community to support important initiatives, projects and organizations.

 

Eligible Grant Applications could be for anything, including:

• Hiring a nonprofit consultant
• Purchasing technology
• Staff/Board professional development
• Building beatification/improvement
• May also be programmatic, but since this may be a one-time grant, we encourage grants for specific one-time needs

 

Criteria for Anything Grants:

• Grants will be given to Jewish non-profit agencies, organizations or synagogues in the Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs community. No individuals or for-profit businesses.
•  All applicants must have a 501(c)3 tax status.
• Grants will range from $1,000 to $5,000 (so your project budget cannot exceed $10,000).  And new this year – component parts of larger projects may be eligible!
• The request should be for 50% of your projected program budget – you must articulate how the other 50% will be raised. Grantees will be required to provide evidence of the matching funds that were raised.  Also new this year – in-kind donations will be accepted as part of that needed match!
• We encourage submission of proposals for specific one-time needs. If it is for an ongoing project, a sustainability plan must be articulated.
• Projects must be completed by May 15, 2024.