42 survey respondents
Location: 110 N 92nd St, Omaha, 68114 NE
EIN: 47-0834133
100%
0%
8 hours
Median
96%
4%
93%
7%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
This funder is very straightforward in what they fund. Become familiar with the foundation and ask questions.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive
Nebraska
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
8
Reviewer 2118 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
Go to the the website and be familiar with the mission of the Weitz Family Foundation to make sure that the relationship is mutually beneficial
Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded
Nebraska
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2018
Good
Exellent
Good
This foundation want to address the root cause of poverty and works with grass roots organization which is essential because it is the people living in poverty who know best how to lift our communities up.
Consider working closely with Indigenous Peoples Organizations! Historically, Indigenous Peoples have been marginalized. According to First Peoples Worldwide; only 1% of funds raised in the name of Indigenous Peoples go to benefit Indigenous Peoples; this means that 99% of funds given to benefit indigenous peoples go to operating funds for non-indigenous peoples organizations claiming to help indigenous peoples. Please see the guide to granters on how t work with Indigenous Peoples Organizations. https://internationalfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Grantmakers-Guide-updated-2014.pdf
The process seems simple but Organizations approaching should have a clear mission and vision for their organization. While the application process is simple; it is still very competitive.
Work with grass roots organizations. Give grass roots organization an opportunity to organize and strengthen organizational infrastructure. It is one of the very few foundations that will openly support operational funding. Operational funding (core mission fund) are the hardest to get and yet very essential to grass roots organizations.
10 to 15 hours
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
The Weitz Family Foundation is fairly straightforward in what they will fund. If you happen to know one of the officers, you could call and ask if your project fits into their scope. They genuinely want to help nonprofits in Omaha be the best that they can be, and help their intended clients.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Likes site visits, Responsive
Nebraska
Current or former grantee
Funded for greater amount
2018
Good
Good
Think broadly about how you might be able to help meet your desired outcomes, even if it means that a grant might fall outside of your usual parameters.
The Weitz Family Foundation is eager to learn more about organization in Omaha. They do not pretend to know everything about all organizations.
5 to 10 hours
Reviewer 6784 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
We developed a relationship long before we applied. We invited them to our facility, met our staff, shared our vision and volunteered with activities the foundation was hosting. Everyone came to know each other very well.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Nebraska
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Very much so. The Weitz Foundation is aligned with the communities needs and in most cases, ahead of the curve.
Good
Very accomplished. They are well respected and known in the philanthropic world locally.
Nothing comes to mind.
They are great people. Fun to be around and always kind.
Cares about our community and its people.
1
Reviewer 1215 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
Carefully review the foundation's priorities. The staff is very easy to work with. Arrange a tour. The founders have an interest in social determinants due to a social work background. They are very culturally aware, not racist, not homophobic.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Nebraska
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
Please review what other funders with similar demographics are doing in communities similar to Omaha. Look at programs funded to address the impact of gentrification, poverty and high unemployment.
I believe Barbara Weitz's background as a social worker may be responsible for the compassion she has that impacts her giving.
The funder accepted our invitation to tour our facility. We wanted them to understand why we need housing and a larger facility. They met with the staff. They appeared to be genuinely interested in our constituents and their needs.
10
Reviewer 7163 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
The Weitz Foundation is an organization that really knows their grantees, so developing a relationship with members of the board is an important part of the process. I would also look at other work they fund to determine if your work is aligned with their general interests.
Positive leader in the field, Risk taker, Friendly
Nebraska
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
Small gifts to smaller non-profits can be very powerful and can often have more impact on the work that organizations with small staff and limited resources are able to do than larger gifts to big institutions. I hope the foundation will continue to make this type of gift going forward. This is not just something this specific foundation does, but foundations are often looking for things that are "new" instead of building on existing work which can create challenges in the non-profit sector in general.
They really know grantees and the work they are doing.
5 to 10 hours
Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
The transparency displayed by this foundation is refreshing and I feel they truly understand and support our mission. It is important to maintain dialogue regarding the work we do that aligns with the foundation's philosophy.
Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Georgia
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2018
Good
Good
This foundation is concerned with improving the quality of life for individuals and families. It is evident in the types of projects supported throughout the community.
An engaged relationship that allows for genuine communication helps to ease the anxiety of grant seekers and is extremely important during the process of creating annual budgets.
This funder demonstrates their care for the community by being seen at Community events.
10 to 15 hours
Reviewer 4186 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
I would suggest that the grant seeker contact the director by phone or email to set up a time to personally outline what they do, what the funds would be used for, other funders, etc. The director is very honest and helpful and give guidance Before writing a grant if it is something they might fund. The director would also make suggestions of other possible donors. This is a very hands-on foundation and appreciated in the community.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Nebraska
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
Good
I believe the foundation is prioritizing its goals, which will be helpful to non-profits. There is no reason to request funds if the mission of the organization is not in compliance with the foundation.
To narrow down your funding priorities so that you can provide in-depth funding and yearly funding to those organizations you support. This helps the organizations growth in depth too..and instead of always writing grants, can focus on programming and future initiatives. Don't change your transparency and availability...the Weitz Foundation is a valuable informational resource.
Other foundations should model themselves and their availability after the Weitz Foundation. !!!
LISTEN! They listen, they attend events, they are honest and transparent. They know the community and the key players. They are hands-on and available. I have only good things to say!!!!
10 to 15 hours
Professional in the field
There is a one-time application and they don't fund outside that timeline unless you have a "relationship" with them and can make the case to one of the family members (all super nice but busy)
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded
Nebraska
Professional in the field
2018
Average
Very transparent and informal but hard to get a meeting. For as many grantees as they have you would think they would have more staff
Bad
This foundation is great and everything they do is nice but they don't really focus so it isn't clear what they want from year to year
pick a lane and hire expert staff
they have limited bandwidth for meeting
every one seems to want to help
0
Reviewer 8005 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2018
Review the Weitz Family Foundation website or their 990 to get a sense of their philanthropic goals. Do your research and have a well thought out idea before approaching the Weitz foundation.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
Nebraska
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2018
Good
The Weitz Foundation is very accessible. But , you need to follow up, sometimes it is hard to get a response as they are very busy but if you follow up, you eventually get a response.
Good
I believe the Weitz Family is committed to addressing the issues of poverty in the Omaha Community. Do I think any one foundation will be successful here? No, but love the way Weitz Family supports the work of the non profits that serve our most vulnerable populations.
Do more site visits in Omaha. See the trans-formative work that is being done with your funding. Highlight your grantees more on your website or in a newsletter. We would love to connect more with other Weitz grantees.
Take risks. We came with an out-of-the box idea and they have fully supported us.
12
