“People are shocked at a town our size, how much we have going for us.”
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert frequently hears surprised remarks regarding the city’s achievements from locals and visitors alike. The consensus is clear—Omaha’s generosity is impossible to overlook.
Those familiar with the city’s cultural spaces, parks, museums, and community centers know it well. The giving spirit lives everywhere, and the names etched on buildings, donor walls, and even bricks at the zoo reflect a philanthropic city deeply invested in its own future.
“You don’t have to look very far in our community to see the impact—our health care, education, and arts and culture scenes are all very vibrant—it’s the Omaha advantage,” Donna Kush, president and CEO of the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF), said. “Having the community we have makes us nationally competitive, and it’s possible because of philanthropy.”
With a legacy of generosity that ranks Omaha in the top 3% of per capita giving in the United States, the city stands out not only for the scale of its donations, but also for the deep sense of community and collaboration that drives its charitable efforts.
Yet, Omaha’s philanthropy goes beyond constructing physical landmarks, extending into educational initiatives and vital health and social services. The broad range of funding destinations confirms what many already recognize:
Omaha excels at investing in itself.
City Investments Draw Attention
Omaha’s collaborative public-private partnerships have been particularly vital in completing major projects throughout the city. While other metropolises might secure $5 or $10 million for their city-led projects, Mayor Stothert explained that Omaha has been known to attract upwards of a whopping $400 million for initiatives of the same scale—an achievement almost unheard of in other cities.
“Without additional money from donors, it wouldn’t come easily,” Mayor Stothert admitted.
These partnerships have inevitably attracted national media attention. Forbes ranked Omaha number one on its “Best Cities to Move To” list earlier this year, highlighting affordability and job opportunities. In 2020, the Los Angeles Times praised Omaha’s self-investment, crediting the dedicated generosity of wealthy residents.
“There’s plenty of wealth in Omaha, but these personal investments show residents’ genuine commitment and love for the city they live in,” Mayor Stothert said.
Major developments like the RiverFront and multi-million dollar enhancement projects—the Peter Kiewit Institute, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, and the Joslyn Art Museum—are tangible evidence of the city’s progress in just the last few years. Heritage Services alone, funded by mostly anonymous residents, has provided $725 million in private gifts to realize $1.2 billion in public projects since 1990.
The mayor appreciates feedback from out-of-town visitors during events like the College World Series, noting their comments about Omaha’s cleanliness and safety in the midst of constant construction. She recalled a conversation with an impressed Peyton Manning, who frequently visits Omaha. His renowned “Omaha!” play call gained viral fame, leading him to name his production company Omaha Productions.
Manning was quoted on ESPN in June while cheering on his alma mater: “Omaha has done an incredible thing here. It is everything it has been built up to be, and I’m honored to be here.”
Public-private partnerships help grant donors a stake in Omaha’s most cherished attractions owned by the city, the mayor explained. Projects like Seventy Five North in North Omaha receive their funding from multiple sources, including the philanthropic community, the City of Omaha, and the Omaha Housing Authority, as do city-owned properties like the Durham Museum and the Orpheum Theater.
“When donors put their money into something, we guarantee we’ll keep it safe and clean,” Mayor Stothert said. “People doubted the tables and hammocks at the Gene Leahy Mall, saying, ‘someone’s going to tear this up.’ It hasn’t happened. When citizens own something they’re proud of, they take care of it.”
OCF: Connecting Generosity to Results
A major piece of the city’s philanthropic puzzle is the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF), which serves as a key connector in the community. With assets currently around $2 billion, OCF stands as the 12th largest community foundation in the United States. “People are usually very surprised to hear that, but when you really think about it, it speaks to the generosity of our community,” Kush smiled.
In 2023, a record year, the foundation granted $280 million to nonprofits, with 71% of those funds staying within the metro area. Funds were distributed through 17,000 individual grants to more than 3,000 organizations. The primary areas receiving these grants are education, healthcare, arts and culture, and social services, Kush explained.
One unique initiative is OCF’s resident-led Community Interest Fund Program, which allows residents themselves to decide where grant funds should go. This program’s impact is evident in the success of Omaha’s Intercultural Senior Center, Kush said. An initial grant helped it grow into a mature nonprofit that provides essential services to seniors and their families, including refugees facing language and cultural barriers.
“As a connector in the community, we have the role of helping fundholders feel good about the investments they’re making,” Kush noted. OCF conducts research and provides thorough information about nonprofits, their activities, and collaborations, helping fundholders of all giving capacities make informed decisions.
Disaster Response: Bridging the Gap
On Friday, April 26, 2024, a devastating tornado outbreak swept across Nebraska and Iowa. Several long-tracked tornadoes damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, leaving the community deeply impacted with multiple injuries and one fatality.
“When the tornadoes hit, we set up the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund within hours,” Kush recalled. “Within 30 minutes, we had our first donation, and we’ve continued to receive contributions from across the US.” This quick response highlights OCF’s role as a trusted and efficient facilitator in times of crisis, affirmed Megan Stubenhofer-Barrett, director of marketing & communications at OCF.
“Before I had the chance to share the donation link on social media, someone had already shared it,” Stubenhofer-Barrett said. “I think that speaks volumes about the community—they were already looking for ways to help.”
Brandon Hamm, OCF’s Board Chair, attributes this generosity to the caring nature of Nebraskans. “We have midwest values running deep in our community,” he noted. “Residents are humble, and there’s a recognition of a shared responsibility to give back to the city in which they’ve lived, worked, and built successful businesses.”
“It’s wonderful being a part of a community that immediately jumped in before we even knew the extent of the disaster,” Stubenhofer-Barrett said. “People just knew, ‘I want to give.’” The community donated a million dollars to the Nebraska Tornado Recovery Fund within two weeks.
“We saw a gap in coordination among government agencies, nonprofits, donors, and the community, especially after the tornadoes,” Kush noted. “There was a need for a neutral convener, and we were uniquely positioned to ensure resources were maximized throughout the community.”
Recognizing the need for long-term plans to handle such crises, OCF activated a long-term recovery group (LTRG) to provide stable housing and support in the aftermath of disasters. “This LTRG is a constant need. Unfortunately, there will be other disasters or needs that come up that will require action very quickly,” Kush said.
“We take care of one another—that’s the heart of Omaha philanthropy.”
Local Philanthropy Drives Growth
Part of supporting one another involves prioritizing local donations and giving, a key focus of OCF’s efforts.
“We see a lot of philanthropic activity in Omaha, not just from individuals, but also from local companies,” Stubenhofer-Barrett said. “Corporate philanthropy with a local focus is one of the key reasons Omaha consistently ranks so highly on philanthropic lists.”
Mike Cassling, local philanthropist and executive chairman of CQuence Health Group, is involved with multiple nonprofits. His passion for community service had humble beginnings, with him ringing bells for The Salvation Army during the holiday season as a child, particularly inspired by his mother’s dedication to giving back. Cassling has now served on The Salvation Army Board for nearly 40 years.
Cassling also serves as vice chair of both the Aksarben Foundation and Omaha Performing Arts and holds multiple other board and leadership positions across town. He firmly believes that local initiatives play a crucial role in driving workforce development and growing the state.
“You just figure, ‘I’ve been fortunate and successful,’ and you recognize how important it is to give back and help others,” Cassling said, reflecting on his commitment to local philanthropy. “We’re reaping the benefits of what was created here 100 years ago, so I do anything I can, both personally and financially, to continue to support that growth.”
History of Omaha’s Philanthropic Tradition
Central to Omaha’s philanthropic history are key figures like Warren Buffett—once again named the “most philanthropic billionaire” in 2024 by Forbes—and numerous influential families like the Kiewits, Scotts, and Durhams. Their collective impact has shaped Omaha’s landscape for over a century, funding educational institutions, cultural landmarks, and crucial community services that continue to evolve.
Buffett’s impact through Berkshire Hathaway is credited for kickstarting a major philanthropic wave. After Richard Holland found success with early Berkshire Hathaway investments, he and wife, Mary, became ardent supporters of the arts—a commitment exemplified by institutions like the Holland Performing Arts Center.
Similarly, Peter Kiewit’s leadership and the subsequent philanthropy of figures like Walter Scott and the Hubbard family have left lasting imprints on the city. A walk through the Henry Doorly Zoo reveals their contributions, with highlights like the Scott Aquarium, Scott African Grasslands, Hubbard Gorilla Valley, and Hubbard Orangutan Forest.
Omaha’s Durham Museum is a result of multiple philanthropic efforts. Constructed in 1929 by Peter Kiewit Sons,’ Union Station became the Durham Museum in 1997, renamed to honor Chuck and Margre Durham for their funding of its restoration, which included the creation of the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall.
“Those founding fathers are the reason future generations remained philanthropic,” Cassling said. “They led with the idea that if you’re successful, you should give back—that tradition means success is synonymous with generosity.”
Sustaining and Growing Omaha’s Philanthropic Spirit
Grassroots philanthropy and community involvement have long been, and will continue to be, an essential backbone of all community efforts, Reding said. “The city receives tremendously generous gifts for major projects, but those smaller gifts are the ones that keep the lights on.”
When something like Steelhouse Omaha or the Kiewit Luminarium is constructed, Reding explained, donations from annual giving days and ticket or membership purchases are what actually sustain daily operations for public use.
“It’s not just people who have Berkshire stock who can make an impact,” Cassling said. “It doesn’t take money to volunteer. I think we’re in a wonderful spot, because the next generation saw what their parents did. It’s about everybody getting involved, whether it’s time or treasure.”
“Our real gold is in our young talent,” Reding agreed, “and the future looks promising.”
With its philanthropic momentum, the city is set to continue its tradition of giving and community involvement. Yet, the transfer of wealth in Omaha is increasingly significant, driven by an aging donor population with prominent assets. The Nebraska Community Foundation estimates $100 billion will transfer in Nebraska over the next decade, with $44 billion in the Omaha metro area.
Mayor Stothert stressed the need to sustain existing public-private partnerships to ensure these philanthropic legacies endure. “The wealth in the city of Omaha will remain for a long time. With our partnerships, there are great things on the horizon.”
The Omaha Community Foundation stands poised to steward this transition, Kush said. “We are actively engaged in legacy planning. Our resources are designed to educate successive generations, and our new technology platform makes it easier for new and existing fundholders to manage their donations.”
Hamm emphasized the unpredictable nature of philanthropic trends, noting occasional large one-time gifts and fluctuations from major donor passings. “What we do know, however, is that Omaha will always be a generous community.” Though donation projections may be imprecise, he believes the overall trend will be upward.
“We’re a city where people want to come live and work,” Kush said. “We have the cultural amenities, we have good schools, we’re a safe space, we have land and developments in place—it’s all a testament to what our generosity has already built.
“But the future is in the power of the people.”
For more information, visit omahafoundation.org.
This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
