When Omaha’s own Bud Crawford steps back into the ring on Sept. 13, he’ll be punching two weight classes higher than he’s spent his career. In some ways, that’s Omaha in a nutshell. We may not be the biggest city, but we show up with outsized impact—especially when it comes to giving.
In 2023, the Omaha Community Foundation awarded a record-setting $280 million in grants. That pace continued in 2024 with $236 million distributed—most of it staying right here at home. Statistically, that puts Omaha in the top 3% of cities nationwide for per-capita giving. But behind every number is something more meaningful: a choice to invest in people, neighborhoods, ideas, and possibility.
This issue of Omaha Magazine is our annual look at that culture of generosity, and we’re proud to publish it alongside our 18th annual giving guide for the Big Give, a resource built to help you give with purpose. The Big Give is a movement that reminds us how much is possible when everyone plays a part…