Mission
The Omaha Public Schools Foundation enriches students' lives by funding learning experiences that inspire hope, open doors and help students to achieve their dreams.
To carry out this mission, the Omaha Public Schools Foundation seeks private and corporate contributions and gifts.
The Foundation also develops proposals for projects and programs for presentation to private, corporate and philanthropic organizations for sponsorship and funding.
The Omaha Public Schools Foundation is recognized as a tax exempt organization under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. It is incorporated under Nebraska Law as a nonprofit corporation.
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, all residents of the Omaha Public School District.
Did You Know?
- Established in 1984 – The Omaha Board of Education created the Omaha Schools Foundation to enrich the educational experiences for Omaha Public Schools’ students
- The initial “start up” funding for the Foundation was a gift of $1,555.71 from the Omaha Public Schools Instruction Department.
- Luanne Nelson, then Communications Director for OPS, served as Executive Director until 2010.
- Toba Cohen-Dunning served first as Associate Executive Director from 2006 until 2010 when the Board appointed her the new Executive Director.
- In 2018, OPSF provided over $150,000.00 in both Community and OPS Teacher Grants.
- OPSF administers scholarships established in the honor of OPS teachers, administrators, students and in 2018 awarded over $450,000.00 to OPS graduating seniors.
- OPSF administers Kids Club before and after school child care programs in 42 OPS elementary schools, serving over 5000 students.
- OPSF provides parent-paid Early Childhood Classrooms in select OPS elementary schools throughout the district.
- The nation’s only annual study and ranking of K-12 education foundations -- “Stepping Up: The Nation’s Top K-12 Education Foundations”-- has ranked Omaha Schools Foundation in the Top 10 of the nation's Public School Foundations for the last 4 years.
- Omaha Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) was recognized on Nov. 12, 2018, with the Investor in America Award, presented by Partners for Livable Communities (Partners), a Washington-based nonprofit.
OPS Foundation Non-Discrimination Statement
Omaha Public Schools Foundation is a Section 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization and does, and shall not, discriminiate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, expression, age, disability, martial status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations.
Equity and Diversity Statement
Omaha Public Schools' first shared value, equity, is central to our work to deliver on our promise to our community. Within Omaha Public Schools, equity means making sure every student has the support they need to be successful. The OPS Board of Education's policies (1200, 4003, 5415) reaffirm the district's pledge to provide equal opportunity. We prohibit discrimination, bias-motivated violence, sex-based violence, and retaliation. The Omaha Public Schools Foundation follows these policies.
Our Impact This Year
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Scholarship Dollars
$500K
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Teachers Supported
250
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Schools Impacted
96
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Funds Distributed
$500K
