Omaha may not be the largest city in the nation, but when it comes to generosity, we punch well above our weight. Consistently ranked among the top states for charitable giving, Nebraska, and Omaha in particular, maintains a culture of philanthropy that fuels innovation, opportunity, and community connections.
According to IRS data, Nebraskans gave 3.5% of their adjusted gross income to charitable causes in 2022, placing the state seventh in the nation for giving. And within Nebraska, Omaha leads the way.
This deep-rooted generosity isn’t just sentimental, it’s structural. Omaha is home to more than 1,200 private foundations and countless Donor Advised Funds, family foundations, and corporate giving programs. In 2018 alone, foundations in Douglas and Sarpy counties distributed more than $286 million in grants. That’s a staggering figure for a city of just over half a million people.
A Legacy and Strategy of Giving
Philanthropy in Omaha isn’t new. For more than a century, individuals and families have used their resources to invest in public goods, from hospitals and universities to parks, museums, and human services. Generational giving remains a hallmark of the city, with many of today’s donors carrying forward traditions started by their parents and grandparents.
“When people think of Omaha’s generosity today, some think it all goes back to Warren Buffett, but before Buffett there were many people encouraging local philanthropy since the beginning,” said Donna Kush, President & CEO of the Omaha Community Foundation. “The names Joslyn, Durham, and Doorly all come to mind as individuals who moved to Omaha and instilled the value of giving back into the fabric of the community.”
At the center of the modern giving ecosystem is the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF), one of the largest community foundations in the country. With more than 2,000 fundholders and $2.2 billion in assets under management, OCF has become a powerful convener—linking donors, nonprofits, and civic efforts to maximize impact across the Omaha-Council Bluffs region.
“Giving is part of who we are as a community,” Kush said. “What sets Omaha apart is that we don’t just give, we invest. Our donors think long-term, collaborate across sectors, and work together to create real, lasting impact.”
A Hub for Philanthropic Connection
Last year alone, OCF fundholders granted more than $235 million to over 3,000 nonprofits, from grassroots organizations to national initiatives. But OCF isn’t just a pass-through for funds. It acts as a convener, bringing together people, data, research, community knowledge, and ideas to maximize impact.
This includes research-backed initiatives like The Landscape, a regional dashboard tracking disparities in health, housing, education, transportation and other metrics. The foundation also serves as the Omaha Pathways Community HUB, which connects pregnant individuals and their families to care coordination and social support.
Fundholders — individuals, families, businesses — are at the center of this work. Through personalized support and philanthropic advising, OCF helps donors of all sizes make informed decisions and uncover new opportunities.
“Being part of a community means seeing its needs and stepping up where you can,” Maggie McMeekin shared. “That’s what my parents did, and that’s what we’ve tried to do.”
Maggie and Mike McMeekin are people who value generational community service, giving back through their professional careers, leadership in nonprofits, hands-on volunteering, and financial generosity. You can learn more about them here.
Giving That Builds a Future
Omaha’s reputation for generosity isn’t just a reflection of a few wealthy donors, it’s a community-wide value. From local businesses that quietly give back to employees, to families who establish charitable funds in honor of a loved one, philanthropy is part of the city’s identity. It’s in our DNA.
That culture has been shaped, in part, by some of the most influential names in philanthropy. Warren Buffett’s recent announcement that he will retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway marks the end of an era. So does the news that the Peter Kiewit Foundation, a major philanthropic force in Omaha for decades, will wind down operations over the next 10 years.
These changes signal a turning point, not an end to Omaha’s generosity. This is merely the torch being passed to a new generation.
The responsibility of growing good in our community now belongs to all of us. Business leaders. Professionals. Families. Individuals who care deeply about the place they call home. And in this moment, the Omaha Community Foundation is here to help guide that collective effort.
Through Donor Advised Funds, corporate giving support, and community-driven initiatives, OCF connects people to purpose.
As we look ahead, sustaining Omaha’s legacy of generosity won’t rely on any one person or institution. It will depend on all of us stepping forward to give back to help build a thriving community for all of our neighbors.
Because in Omaha, generosity isn’t just something we value. It’s who we are.
