Four years ago, the Los Angeles Times released a study comparing charitable giving in Wichita, Kansas, and Omaha. In every category save education, Omaha came out on top: arts, hospitals, and health and human services. Omaha, quite simply, experienced “a higher level of giving.” While many of the big names are familiar to those of us in the metro—Buffett, Holland, Scott, Hawks, Kiewit, Weitz, Lozier, et al.—philanthropic efforts are frequently an integral part of life for many local business owners and businesses writ large.
Why do they choose to spend money, resources, and precious time giving back? It’s because they want to benefit the community in which they live and do business. For many business leaders, it’s simply the right thing to do. And they accomplish this through volunteering, donations, and other philanthropic efforts, such as offering pro bono services.
Take, for example, Kate Betsworth, assistant vice president of workforce resource initiatives at Union Pacific Railroad, who serves as president of the Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska board of directors in her off hours. She has volunteered with the organization for nine years, and throughout her time with the nonprofit, she has overseen numerous initiatives, such as creating a special committee made up of Girl Scouts. “I am very inspired by the growth we see in our girl leaders,” she said. “The work of Girl Scouts encourages them to use their voices, gain confidence, and dream of what they can do. And we do that at every age and every stage throughout their lives.”
Attorneys at the venerable law firm Kutak Rock are similarly deeply involved in the community. In addition to working with pipeline groups, children’s charities, Habitat for Humanity, and United Way, among many others, attorneys also volunteer their time, talent, and expertise to Legal Aid of Nebraska, which “promotes justice, dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency through quality civil legal aid for those who have nowhere else to turn.”
Founded in 1963, Legal Aid of Nebraska provides free civil legal services to low-income clients, who typically earn an average annual salary of around $22,000. Its mission is to “ensure the fair enforcement of the law, to protect the rights of the people, and to address the urgent legal needs of our communities.” The organization believes that everyone should receive proper legal representation—regardless of socio-economic status or the ability to pay attorney fees.
Amy Van Horne, a partner at Kutak Rock and current president of the board of Legal Aid of Nebraska, said, “Legal Aid is so important to the firm as a whole. It’s been baked into the DNA of Kutak Rock from its founding; there was always a belief that one of the responsibilities of attorneys was to participate in and serve the local communities.”
The partnership has made it possible for countless Nebraskans to receive legal assistance. “In 2022, we had an impact of more than $11 million on behalf of our clients,” said Laurie Heer Dale, executive director at Legal Aid of Nebraska. “In 2023, we had over 19,000 requests for assistance and we’re looking at over a $13 million impact.”
Expertise isn’t the only way metro businesses give back to the community. While famed for its double-stuffed crust pizza, Papa Johns also provides grants to organizations in local communities where it does business through the Papa Johns Foundation for Building Community, which it established in 2019.
Jenn Garner, the company’s senior director of corporate affairs and sustainability, said, “This program creates an impact nationwide for our franchises and it’s part of Papa Johns as a Global Brand. The program reflects our core values, which are: people first, do the right thing, and everyone belongs.”
Omaha Papa Johns franchise owner Eric Murphy and his team have volunteered, participated in helping to direct grant funds, and delivered pizza donations. “We consider it a great privilege to be able to contribute to all of these deserving organizations—the work they do in our communities is tremendous, and we are thrilled to have been able to help in this way,” he said.
First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) is also more than happy to help and remains dedicated to doing its part to build a successful future. This year, the company awarded Impact Grants totaling $1,143,000 to 53 organizations across Nebraska and Western Iowa. Grants support programs focused on workforce development and entrepreneurship, affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization, and adult education, financial literacy, and security.
Whitney Baker, FNBO’s director of philanthropy and giving, remarked, “FNBO recognizes that investments in [these areas] have returns that far outlast a one-time donation. Through this grant program, our goal is to find community partners working in these areas that not only impact individual lives, but build stronger and more financially successful communities…There’s a component of that commitment embedded in the culture at FNBO. Employees take pride in the way that FNBO supports the community.”
Omaha businesses often put competition to the side to come together for the common good. Major businesses like CQuence Health Group, NP Dodge Company, Security National Bank, First National Bank of Omaha, SilverStone Group, Noddle Companies, Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, and others all support the Aksarben Foundation, which benefits Nebraskans and Western Iowans through education, scholarships, career training, community grants, farm family recognition, and honoring volunteerism, philanthropy, and community service.
Founded in 1895, the organization has raised funds through numerous endeavors, including the Aksarben Stockshow & Rodeo, the Aksarben Racetrack and Coliseum (demolished during the 2000s to make way for present-day Aksarben Village), and of course, the legendary annual Aksarben Ball.
Nathan P. Dodge, President of NP Dodge Company, is on the foundation’s board of governors and is proud of how business leaders come together in support of a higher purpose. “I’ve never seen a foundation like this,” he said. “You see business competitors come together and drop the guard of competition to better the community.”
For Dodge, that’s what makes Aksarben Foundation special. “We have talented people who care a lot about the community and connect over this passion,” he observed. “Under Aksarben Foundation, we work together, and our only goal is the community. That is fundamentally unique.”
This holds true for Omaha’s philanthropic business landscape. Whether it entails volunteering time and expertise or providing funding for community causes, metro businesses continue to step up, show out, and make a lasting difference in the lives they touch.
Portions of this article have appeared throughout 2024 in issues of B2B Omaha, Omaha Publications’ bimonthly business journal. For information on the organizations cited, visit: girlscoutsnebraska.org; legalaidofnebraska.org; kutakrock.com/offices/omaha, papajohns.com/foundation; and aksarben.org.
