A WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION WITH A HISTORY

Omega Nu has 11 Northern California based chapters, each of which serves its own community through charity and service. The Santa Cruz Chapter of Omega Nu was established on April 4, 1903. Today, it is an entirely volunteer group of more than 40 women that hosts annual fund raisers to benefit the community, as well as helping others in need through community service. 100% of the proceeds from these events go directly back to the Santa Cruz community.

Every year we join our other chapters for a yearly Conclave meeting. In 2021 we hosted Conclave here in Santa Cruz with the Roaring 20’s as our theme. We celebrated women and women’s rights, complete with a suffragette luncheon.

FEBRUARY 2024 CLASSROOM GIVING UPDATE

🌟EXCITING NEWS FROM OUR FUNDS FOR FUNDAMENTALS PROGRAM🌟

We're thrilled to share that in 2023, we've awarded a total of $15,630 in grants through the Funds for Fundamentals program, empowering dedicated public-school teachers! 🍎 Since 2005, this program has been a steadfast supporter of teachers, helping with various classroom expenses.

Big shoutout to the middle schools that received grants this year: Aptos, Branciforte, Mission Hill, New Brighton, San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, and Shoreline! 🏫👏

But that's not all – Omega Nu is committed to making a difference beyond the classroom. We're gearing up for our annual Ducky Derby fundraiser on April 27th at Harvey West Park, where we'll continue to fund college scholarships and support community organizations. 🎉

Save the date, and let's make a positive impact together! 🐥💙

#OmegaNu #CommunitySupport #SantaCruzDuckyDerby #EducationMatters

January 2024 COMMUNITY GIVING update

🌟MAKING WAVES OF IMPACT IN SANTA CRUZ🌊

Omega Nu of Santa Cruz is thrilled to announce that in 2023 we have awarded a total of nearly $66,000 to various community programs! Beneficiaries include Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County, Cali Project, Camp Kasem, CASA of Santa Cruz County, CERT Auxiliary, Common Roots Farm, Community Music School of Santa Cruz, Dientes, Downtown Streets Team, Harbor High Baseball, Homeless Garden Project, Hospice of Santa Cruz, Housing Matters, Jade St Park Universally Accessible playground, Kidpower, Live Oak Foundation, Nourishing Generations, Pacific School in Davenport, Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Scotts Valley Baseball, Scotts Valley Middle School Drama, Shared Adventures, Shoreline Theater Program, Skills of Life Café, Survivors Healing Center, Scotts Valley Recreation, Teen Kitchen Project, Valley Churches United Missions, Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz, and Women Care.

Nancy Rader, our dedicated Charity Chair Person, highlights the pivotal role of events like the Ducky Derby, which allows us to give much needed support to local schools, organizations, children, and families. We encourage requests for assistance from teachers, coaches, organizations, children, families, and anyone in need. Twice a year, in March and October, our members diligently review these requests. For all the details about the application process and deadlines, visit the Omega Nu of Santa Cruz website duckyderbysantacruz.org.

If you share our passion for contributing to Santa Cruz community programs, funding college scholarships, and providing classroom materials for local schools—or if you just want a day of fun—please join us at the Ducky Derby on April 27, 2024. Together, we make a difference! 🐥💙

#OmegaNu #CommunityImpact #SantaCruzDuckyDerby #SantaCruzCares

DUCKY DERBY 2024

With the current outbreak of Shigella at Harvey West Park, the City of Santa Cruz has requested that we don't hold a public event. They are working to contain the outbreak. The women of Omega Nu are committed to the well-being of our community and our focus is on protecting our beautiful children and seniors who are especially vulnerable. For this reason, the 34th Annual Ducky Derby will not be held at Harvey West Park Friendship Garden on April 27th.

But wait! You can still support Omega Nu’s Ducky Derby. On April 27th we will hold multiple VIRTUAL races where you can still win terrific prizes while supporting the community.

Please continue to support Ducky Derby through duck adoptions, prize donations, and sponsorships. The community needs all of our continued support. Students heading to college, local charities, and teachers that we support year after year are depending upon us. Click here to see more information or to get involved in this year’s Ducky Derby.

We would like to thank our sponsors who generously support us in our fundraising efforts. Because of your generosity, last year we awarded $189,000 back to the community.

 CHARITY GRANTS 

The Santa Cruz Chapter of Omega Nu strives to meet the charitable needs of the local community. Since the first charity grant was made following the 1906 earthquake, Omega Nu has given over two million dollars to individuals, families and organizations in need. Total charitable contributions are in excess of three hundred thousand dollars over the last 5 years.

If you would like Omega Nu to consider your Charity Organization for a financial donation, please contact us by email at omeganusc@gmail.com

Here’s what some of our community partners are saying about Omega Nu:

“Although 2021 has been another tough year for kids and families, there are many positive moments and memories to celebrate, thanks to friends like you. Thank you for turning tough times into great moments for the kids in our community.”

~ Bob Langseth, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz

Omega Nu is having a tremendous impact on ending homelessness right here in Santa Cruz County. Your generosity inspires encouragement and hope for our most vulnerable neighbors.”

~ Phil Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, Housing Matters

Charity Giving in Our Community

Charity is generally funded in two cycles:

• Requests for the November funding cycle must be postmarked no later than October 15th of each year

• Requests for the April funding cycle must be postmarked no later than March 15th each year

Our current deadline for submitting a Charity Grant request is March 15, 2024

Groups, families or individuals in need may apply in writing via email to omeganusc@gmail.com or by mail to:

Omega Nu of Santa Cruz
P.O. Box 1696
Santa Cruz, CA 95061

Please include a request for specific items, their costs and the name, phone number and address of a contact person. Omega Nu provides for a variety of needs but does not pay salaries.

All organizations applying for charity must submit a current financial statement and/or project budget. Organizational grants are not to exceed $2,000 for a one- year period. Special circumstances may be considered.

FUNDS FOR FUNDAMENTALS

In 2005 our organization created Funds for Fundamentals to help public school teachers with classroom expenses. Over $300,000 has been given to 20 public elementary and 7 public middle schools since the program began.

Thousands of teachers have received FUNDS during the life of this program.  Funds for Fundamentals is now so popular that the public elementary schools had to be divided between two years.  The grants have benefited thousands of school children in northern Santa Cruz County. 

There is a three year rotation of the public schools receiving FFF, between all of the public middle schools and elementary schools in Santa Cruz County.

• The Santa Cruz County elementary schools that are eligible for awards in the Fall of 2024 are: Bay View, Bonny Doon, Brook Knoll, Del Mar, Live Oak, Main Street, San Lorenzo Valley, Rio Del Mar, and Westlake.

• Elementary schools eligible for rewards in the Fall of 2025 will be: Boulder Creek, DeLaveaga, Gault, Green Acres, Mar Vista, Pacific, Santa Cruz Gardens, Soquel, Valencia, and Vine Hill.

• Middle schools eligible in the Fall of 2026 will be: Aptos, Branciforte, Mission Hill, New Brighton, San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, and Shoreline.

Teachers from middle schools in Santa Cruz County are eligible to apply for a grant this year. Click here to see last year’s application.

For more information or questions please email us at omeganuscfff@gmail.com

Creating Opportunity. Ensuring Success

The Omega Nu Scholarship program is one of the largest in Santa Cruz County. The program was established in 1957 to assist qualified students who are planning to attend public California universities or colleges. These scholarships are based on financial need and scholastic achievement. Over the past six years over $600,000 has been awarded to local high school and college students. The amount awarded each year is dependent on the proceeds from the annual Omega Nu fundraisers as well as our endowment portfolio. The eligibility and general requirements are listed below. In 2023 $106,600 was awarded in new and renewal scholarships to students in the County of Santa Cruz.  

For more information email omeganuscscholarships@gmail.com or contact your local high school or Cabrillo counseling offices.

NEW SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

High School Seniors currently enrolled at Aptos, Harbor, Santa Cruz, Soquel, San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz Charter Schools

Cabrillo College Students who are graduates of the above local high schools and will be transferring to a UC or CSU in the Fall

General Requirements

For high school seniors applying for a California Community College or California State College/University Scholarship, an overall GPA of 3.2, and/or college potential as recommended by a counselor

For Cabrillo students applying for a California State College/University Scholarship, an overall GPA of 3.0

For high school seniors applying for a Vocational Scholarship, good academic standing

Students must be in need of financial assistance

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are available in early February here and from the following high school and college counseling offices:

• Aptos

• Harbor

• Santa Cruz

• Soquel

• San Lorenzo Valley

• Scotts Valley

• Santa Cruz Charter Schools

• Cabrillo College (Information available on website)

Applications need to be completed, electronically or manually, and emailed to omeganuscscholarships@gmail.com, along with any supporting documentation. Applications can also be mailed to: PO Box 1696, Santa Cruz, CA 95061.

Application Deadline: Completed applications must be received, or postmarked if mailed, by Wednesday, March 27, 2024. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS for applications received after this date.

Selection Process:  The Scholarship Committee pre-screens all applicants and schedules interviews for the top applicants in early May. 

Date of Awards: Scholarship recipients will be notified within two weeks of the interview.

RENEWAL APPLICATIONS

If you are a current scholarship recipient and would like to apply for a renewal scholarship for the upcoming year, please click here for an updated application. Completed applications are due March 31, 2024.