Scholarships & 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. Organizations are responsible for raising the remaining 50% from other sources. Project budget not to exceed $10,000.

Applications Due: June 3, 2024

Selection complete: June 30, 2024
Projects completed: June 30, 2025

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 again 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.  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.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Diane Walker at dwalker@jewishomaha.org or 402-334-6551.

The Jewish Federation of Omaha offers grant money for Jewish families so their children have an opportunity to attend a Jewish summer camp, a Birthright trip or travel to Israel.

ISRAEL EXPERIENCE GRANT

The Israel Experience Grant is a one-time grant from the Jewish Federation of Omaha for students in grades 9-12 or young adults ages 18 to 25 for an approved Israel experience. The grant may also be used for domestic airfare for participants in any Birthright Israel trip.
Apply Online

See details about Passport to Israel, an additional Israel experience savings program with matching funds, here.

JEWISH EXPERIENCE GRANT

The Jewish Experience Grant is a gift from the Jewish Federation of Omaha for children in grades 3-11 to encourage attendance at Jewish summer residential camp.
This deadline has passed. Application was due March 4, 2024.

JCC Membership assistance and Jewish Family Service assistance are available support that the Jewish Federation of Omaha offers year round.

With care and dignity, Jewish Family Service (JFS) is wholly focused on providing the services people require when facing challenges in their lives. JFS offers emergency financial help for rent, utilities, food, mental health services, parenting education, medical and dental bills. JFS also assists through holiday meals at Rosh Hashanah, Passover, and Hanukkah; gifts for families during Hanukkah’s “Project Dreidel”; and activities and social skill building for Jews with Special Needs, “Yachad”.

Financial assistance available year-round:

• • JCC Membership assistance
  • Jewish Family Service assistance

If you have any questions regarding this application and reduced JCC Membership or JFS assistance, please contact Linda Cogen at (402)334-6493 or lcogen@jfsomaha.com.

Jewish Federation of Omaha Scholarships

The Jewish Federation of Omaha offers scholarships available for:

• • Youth group programs, music and cultural arts programs (available year-round)
  • JCC Summer Camp, Jewish Overnight Summer Camp, Israel Programs (Due March 4)
  • Friedel Jewish Academy, Pennie Z. Davis Early Learning Center (Due March 4)

View the full 2024 Scholarship and Grant Guide HERE.

Youth Group Programs
This scholarship opportunity is available year-round.
Apply Online

Music & Cultural Arts Programs
This scholarship opportunity is available year-round.
Apply Online

JCC Summer Camp, Jewish Overnight Summer Camp, Israel Programs
This deadline has passed. Application was due March 4, 2024.

Friedel Jewish Academy and/or Pennie Z. Davis Early Learning Center
This deadline has passed. Application was due March 4, 2024.

JFO COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

College Academic Excellence Scholarship
This deadline has passed. Application was due March 4, 2024.

Post-Secondary Scholarship
Undergraduate/Graduate/Professional/Yeshiva Studies/Vocational Studies
This deadline has passed. Application was due March 4, 2024.

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Passport to Israel – a savings program with matching funds

Passport to Israel is a program available to families with children in Kindergarten through the 8th Grade for the purpose of saving funds for the child to make an educational trip to Israel. Families make annual contributions to a dedicated account which are matched by the Jewish Federation of Omaha and the local synagogue to which the family is affiliated. Your savings is matched dollar for dollar, not once but twice!
See details

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

These scholarships may have different criteria than those used by the Financial Aid Committee. Please contact Diane Walker at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation with any questions (402) 334-6551.

Please download the blank application before you begin to complete it.

Bennett G. Hornstein Endowment Fund
Provides scholarships for aspiring law students at either the University of Nebraska College of Law or Creighton University School of Law. Students must also display a commitment to community service.
This deadline has passed. Application was due April 3, 2024.

Robert H. and Dorothy G. Kooper Charitable Foundation Trust
This fund was created to honor the memories Robert and Dorothy Kooper and their many years of service to the Omaha Jewish community. The fund provides scholarships to Jewish undergraduate students that meet eligibility requirements including financial need.

This deadline has passed. Application was due March 4, 2024.

For more information, please contact Jan Roos at Broadmoor Development Company, (402) 384-6471 or email jroos@broadmoor.cc

Bruce M. Fellman Charitable Foundation Trust
The family of Bruce M. Fellman established this scholarship fund in his memory.  The fund provides scholarships to Jewish undergraduate students that meet eligibility requirements including financial need.

This deadline has passed. Application was due March 4, 2024.

For more information, please contact Jan Roos at Broadmoor Development Company, (402) 384-6471 or email jroos@broadmoor.cc

SOKOLOF MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

The Phil & Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Scholarship

•  $10,000 merit scholarships for college or university education to two graduating Jewish high school students in recognition of their overall good character, scholastic performance, personal achievements and community service.
  This deadline has passed. Application was due April 1, 2024.
• $10,000 merit scholarships to two Jewish students currently attending college or university pursuing a course of study leading to a career in the field of health care.
  This deadline has passed. Application was due April 1, 2024.

The Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Scholarship
Up to two annual merit scholarships to Jewish students currently attending college, university or music conservatory who are majoring in or pursuing a degree in music performance, composition, or music education.
This deadline has passed. Application was due April 1, 2024.

Nominate a Teacher Who Has Made a Difference
The Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Fund will present an annual $10,000 award to a Jewish teacher currently teaching in the Omaha metropolitan area, with preference to those who teach K-12. This award recognizes outstanding contributions as a teacher and mentor to the education and overall achievements of his/her students. You may nominate a teacher by writing why you think he/she deserves to win this Sokolof award.  Be sure to include the teacher’s school, your name and telephone number.  (There is no limit to the number of times a teacher can be nominated.)

The nomination is due by April 1, 2024, to the Teacher’s Award Committee, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, 333 South 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Contact Diane Walker at (402) 334-6551 or dwalker@jewishomaha.org with any questions. 
This deadline has passed. Application was due April 1, 2024.