Grow Omaha
Non-Profit News

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha will honor Diane Duren as Power Woman of the Year at its 19th annual Women’s Power Luncheon Friday, March 27, at the downtown Hilton. Duren retired from Union Pacific Corporation in 2017 after serving as executive vice president and has been a cornerstone of Habitat Omaha’s long-term viability and mission advancement. Racquel Henderson, community liaison for North Omaha for Mayor John Ewing’s Office, has been named the Power Partner. Steve and Amy Lindsay, longtime supporters of Habitat Omaha, will serve as the event’s honorary chairs.

The Women’s Power Luncheon helps fund the Women Build Program, which empowers women volunteers to build Habitat Omaha homes. This year, these volunteers will work on multiple houses in the Bluestem Prairie development near 52nd and Sorensen Parkway.

The Sports For Kids Foundation will host its 35th annual Benefit Auction & Dinner on Saturday, March 14 at the DC Centre. The event will feature over 200 items, including world-class sports memorabilia, entertainment collectibles, vacation packages and more. Proceeds from the nonprofit’s annual fundraiser go toward year-round support of children with disabilities and their families, with a focus on those who have limited financial resources.

This year’s auction features autographed jerseys from Caitlin Clark, Steph Curry and Cristiano Ronaldo; helmets from Patrick Mahomes and Christian McCaffrey; and a signed item from musician Taylor Swift.

Nebraska Humane Society is hosting a Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic for cats and dogs this Saturday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. In addition to vaccination services, the clinic will also offer licensing and microchipping.

Girls Inc. of Omaha is hosting Stand Up For Girls 2026 today, March 12, at the Holland Center. The event aims to highlight what is possible when a community invests in its girls. This year’s event will feature programming which celebrates the stories and experiences of Girls, Inc. Artist and Comedian Jessi Realz will headline the event. Handcrafted art and jewelry will be available for purchase, with proceeds going toward programming for Girls, Inc. in Omaha.

Yates Illuminates is hosting a Rain Barrel Giveaway event on March 14. The free workshop, presented by Keep Omaha Beautiful, Omaha Stormwater Program and Yates Illuminates, will provide a free rain barrel, parts and supplies for setting it up, and hands-on instruction.

$2,853,337 in federal grant funds awarded to Omaha’s Threshold Continuum of Care from HUD through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) are now being dispersed to four projects with the goal of addressing and preventing youth homelessness in the Omaha metro area:

• Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc. – Supportive Services Coaching
• Institute for Community Alliances – HMIS & Data Management
• Together – Rapid Rehousing
• Youth Emergency Services – Joint Transitional Rapid Rehousing
• Threshold CoC – YHDP Planning

Project Intentional, an Omaha nonprofit, which provides resources for women and families, has partnered with local business Storm Bath & Beauty to create a custom, cream-based, scent-free deodorant made with just five clean ingredients and packaged in reusable tins. The product is intentionally fragrance-free and housed in recyclable, reusable packaging to reduce waste and stay aligned with Project Intentional’s sustainability values. The deodorant will officially launch on April 26 during Storm Bath & Beauty’s one-year anniversary celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 14455 W. Center Road. The open-house event will be free to the public.

Hillside Fund, the nonprofit arm of Hillside Solutions, is launching a curbside compost pickup program in April, serving City Council District Three to start and moving into additional neighborhoods based on demand. Interested parties can sign up for the waitlist now. The service will cost $35 a month, but the organization will offer sponsorships for families who may not otherwise be able to participate.

More than 300 families visited Oak View Mall last Sunday for the 22nd Annual Walk and Roll For Disabilities event, which raised $40,000 for the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute.

Child Saving Institute (CSI) announced the launch of Summer Camp at CSI, an expansion of its early childhood education program designed to bring learning, adventure and quality care to school-aged children ages five to ten over the summer months. Known for high-quality early childhood education, CSI is expanding its care to meet the growing needs of families with school-age children—all summer long. Summer Camp at CSI features weekly field trips to Omaha Children’s Museum, Kiewit Luminarium, Fontenelle Forest and more.

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha is seeking applicants for its first new housing build in Papillion. The Tallgrass neighborhood, located near 72nd & Capehart Road, will feature 30 single-family row homes —the organization’s latest type of housing — designed for hard-working professionals and families. The modern, maintenance-free row homes are connected to places of employment, schools and perfect for startup families who are nurses, teachers or small business owners.

Lily Haven, in partnership with The Set Me Free Project, is hosting a Dinner & Dialogue event today, February 26, at Salted Edge in Waterloo. The one-of-a-kind event creates space for open, guided discussion about human trafficking in a setting designed to feel welcoming rather than intimidating. Organizers say awareness begins when communities feel equipped to talk about difficult issues without fear or stigma.

The Sarpy County Museum at 2402 Clay Street in Bellevue has permanently closed. The museum held a collection of artifacts and historical resources, covering the history of Sarpy County.