PRESS-RELEASE

Omega Press Release

May 24, 2010

Omega Offers Unique Grants To More Than 30 Nonprofit Peers

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Omega Offers Unique Grants To More Than 30 Nonprofit Peers

400+ people on campus to reflect, strategize, and plan for the future of their organizations

RHINEBECK, NY – As reported by the New York Times, a new survey by the Nonprofit Finance Fund, indicates America's nonprofits will see less funding and a greater demand for services in 2010. Omega Institute today announced for the 6th year in a row, it will award Omega In Service grants to more than 30 nonprofit peers, a number of whom are coming specifically to discuss how they might partner in the future as a way of responding to the difficult economic environment.

During Service Week, May 31–June 4, nonprofits representing a broad spectrum of social issues on local, statewide, national, and global levels will attend two-day, two-night organizational retreats that include free room and board, a private meeting space, and use of all the facilities at Omega's 195 acre-Rhinebeck campus.

"Reduced resources make nonprofit organizations more vulnerable and less able to dedicate time to planning ahead and evaluating organizational health. Omega is proud to be able to offer a helping hand to our nonprofit peers, and to reinforce this important community safety net," said Carla Goldstein, director of external affairs and the Women's Institute at Omega.

Grant recipients can tailor their time to their needs, using it for anything from strategic planning to team-building activities. Some of the grantee organizations are bringing representatives from additional nonprofit organizations, allowing the program to broaden its reach. All are offered an optional consultation with Omega's partner, the New York Council of Nonprofits, at an on-site Nonprofit Wellness Clinic.

"Now more than ever, nonprofits must think seriously about viability and make decisions about their future and direction that may not have been considered before," said Doug Sauer, chief executive officer of the New York Council of Nonprofits. "Omega's Service Week offers a unique opportunity in a safe, nurturing environment, for organizations to step back, breathe, and get a ‘check up' with one of our expert staff," concluded Sauer.

In the past, grantee organizations have utilized the time to develop strategic plans, cultivate relationships among their board members and with other grantees on campus, re-engage with their mission statements, heal organizational rifts, deepen staff cooperation, and enjoy some much needed peace and relaxation.

"We had truly productive working sessions, and the camaraderie that developed from eating and playing together added immensely to the success of the retreat," said Deborah Goldberg, managing attorney at Earthjustice, a participant at last year's Service Week.

Omega is pleased to award 2010 Omega In Service grants to the following organizations, which are actively engaged in creating a more compassionate and sustainable world:

  • Agenda for Children Tomorrow/IMPACT
  • Child Advocacy Center
  • Coffee House Project
  • Council on Addiction Prevention & Education
  • Family of Woodstock
  • Family Services
  • Battered Women's Services
  • Crime Victims' Assistance Program
  • Domestic Abuse Awareness Classes for Men
  • Girls for Gender Equity
  • Glenn E. Hines Boys & Girls Club
  • Hospital Audiences
  • Hudson River Housing
  • Job Path
  • Make the Road New York
  • Management Consulting Team: UN Development Programme
  • Ms. Foundation for Women
  • Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter
  • Newburgh Performing Arts Academy
  • New York Council of Nonprofits
  • Rural Ulster Property Company
  • Safe Harbors of the Hudson
  • Sauti Yetu Center for African Women
  • St. John Bosco Child & Family Services
  • Sustainable Hudson Valley (several representatives of additional organizations will attend with this group)
  • Taconic Resources
  • The Children's Law Center
  • Third Wave Foundation
  • Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls

For more information about Omega's annual Service Week event and the Omega In Service grant program, please contact Marta Szabo, at 845.266.4444, ext. 403, or by email at MartaS@eomega.org.

About Omega Institute for Holistic Studies
Founded in 1977, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is the nation's most trusted source for wellness and personal growth. As a nonprofit organization, Omega offers diverse and innovative educational experiences that inspire an integrated approach to personal and social change. Located on 195 acres in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega welcomes more than 23,000 people to its workshops, conferences, and retreats in Rhinebeck, New York, and at exceptional locations around the world. eOmega.org

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About Omega Institute for Holistic Studies
Founded in 1977, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is the nation's most trusted source for wellness and personal growth. As a nonprofit organization, Omega offers diverse and innovative educational experiences that inspire an integrated approach to personal and social change. Located on 250 acres in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega welcomes people to its workshops, conferences, and retreats in Rhinebeck, New York, and online at eOmega.org.