Community organizations to get involved in:

Activate Omaha: A community-wide initiative that aims to encourage residents to be active as part of daily living. 11404 West Dodge Road, Suite 720, 934-5923; www.activateomaha.org

All About Omaha: An active group of young professionals engaged in Omaha's culture from social events to community involvement and working to help define the city. www.allaboutomaha.org

City Sprouts: An inner-city gardening project at 40th and Franklin Streets. 502-5902; www.unmc.edu/sprouts

Destination Midtown: Organized to create an urban environment where people want to live, work, shop and play. Promotes economic development activities, advances neighborhood goals and forges unique partnerships. 1301 Harney St., 233-7142; www.destinationmidtown.org

Douglas County Historical Society: Collects, preserves and presents the history of Douglas County through lectures, exhibits, classes, seminars, educational outreach and publication of historically significant materials. General Crook House Museum, 30th and Fort Streets, 455-9990; www.omahahistory.org

Downtown Omaha Inc.: A nonprofit, privately funded corporation dedicated to helping the downtown community continue to be a viable, healthy, growing segment of Omaha. 1905 Harney St., Suite 610. 341-3700; www.downtownomaha.org

Florence Futures Foundation: Promotes the sustainability of the historic Florence neighborhood. 551-1233; www.historicflorence.org

Green Omaha Coalition: Promotes a healthy, sustainable community through partnerships, policy and smart solutions. www.greenomahacoalition.org

Heritage Services: Raises private funds to help advance major projects, like Qwest Center Omaha, the Holland Performing Arts Center and the Salvation Army Kroc Center. 8805 Indian Hills Drive, Suite 175, 391-3190.

Iowa West Foundation: Receives funding from the Iowa West Racing Association, which holds licenses for the three casinos in Council Bluffs. Awards funding for community proposals, including community beautification and development projects outside Council Bluffs but within Pottawattamie County. 25 Main Place, Suite 550, Council Bluffs; 309-3003; www.iowawestfoundation.org

Keep Kids Alive/Drive 25: Safety campaign targeting observance of the residential speed limit of 25 mph. For information or a presentation to your community group, call 334-1391 or visit www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

Keep Omaha Beautiful Inc.: A nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to litter reduction, beautification and education on solid waste issues. 1819 Farnam St., Suite 306, 444-7774; www.keepomahabeautiful.org

Landmarks Inc.: Private, nonprofit organization that advocates for the preservation of Omaha's historic environment. Joslyn Castle Carriage House, 3838 Davenport St., 595-2553.

Mayor's Commission for Citizens With Disabilities: Promotes quality of life, accessibility and equity for those with disabilities. City-County Building, 1819 Farnam St.; mayor's office hot line, 444-5555; people who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the hot line via TTY, 996-8490; www.ci.omaha.ne.us

National Safety Council: Promotes safety and health by providing programs, services and education to prevent injuries, accidents and health hazards. 11620 M Circle, 896-0454; www.safenebraska.org

Neighborhood Center: Provides information and assistance to neighborhood associations in Sarpy, Douglas and Pottawattamie Counties. 115 S. 49th Ave., 561-7581; www.neighborhood-center.org

North Omaha Commercial Club: A group concerned with economic and social interests in the north, northeast and Florence areas of Omaha. 451-5366; www.historicflorence.org

North Omaha Development Project: A commitment of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, African American business leaders, the north Omaha community, corporate leaders and elected officials to develop a strategy to bring significant business investments to north Omaha. 233-7152; www.omaha-chamber.org/

Omaha by Design: Nonprofit organization of volunteers, public officials and business leaders who work to create quality public spaces in the city. 302 S. 36th St., Suite 100, 342-3458; www.omahabydesign.org

Omaha Community Foundation: Serves the Omaha area and southwest Iowa. Helps charitable individuals and foundations meet community needs. 302 S. 36th St., Suite 100, 342-3458; www.omahacf.org

Omaha Empowerment Network: Concerned with developing and implementing a covenant and strategic plan that accelerates the economic well-being and quality of life of African-Americans. 650-8765; www.empoweromaha.com

Omaha Main Streets Inc.: Nonprofit organization that aims to revitalize neighborhood business districts. 120 S. 49th Ave., 553-5644.

Omaha Neighborhood Courage: Resource center that supports neighborhood watch groups and promotes crime prevention. 444-4873.

Project Safe Neighborhoods: National association devoted to reducing gun crime in America. 661-3702.

Restore Omaha: A nonprofit group helping to preserve, restore, and maintain pre-1950 homes. 614-0056; www.restoreomaha.org

Tri-County Neighborhood Forum: Serving Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties. 522-7907.

Urban League of Nebraska: Advocates for economic self-reliance, parity, power, civil rights and equal opportunity for all. Whitney Young Academy for ninth through 12th graders, the Family Resource Center, scholarship programs and work experience programs. 3040 Lake St., 451-1066; www.urbanleagueneb.org

Voice Omaha: Nonpartisan group dedicated to creating a culturally vibrant Omaha to actively support leaders, policies and projects that advance this vision. www.voiceomaha.org

Women's Fund of Greater Omaha: Dedicated to education, awareness and solutions for women and girls facing poverty, violence, discrimination and a lack of education and opportunity. Awards grants to community groups, special projects. 7642 Pierce St., 827-9280; www.omahawomensfund.org

Young Professionals Council: Seeks to create a thriving and exciting professional and social community in Omaha. Members must be 40 or younger. 978-7945; www.omahachamber.org/ypcne.us