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 fundraisers 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.

ANNOUNCING THE 2026-2027 OMEGA NU BOARD MEMBERS

Omega Nu’s annual installation of board members was held in June at Stockwell Cellars in Santa Cruz. The new board members for 2026-2027 include Vicky Granger-Jones, President; Sarah Wolfsen, Vice President; Michele Costa, Parliamentarian; Gillian Westbrook and Lisa O’Rourke, Treasurers; Nancy Ross, Scholarship Chair; Jennifer Lipman, Charity Chair; Tiffany Verbica, Publicity Chair; Tori Shaffer, Recording Secretary; Robyn Slater, Corresponding Secretary; and Anna Miller, Guard.

ducky derby is our largest fundraiser and 100% of all monies we raise go back to our community.

take a look at ducky derby in action!

 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 one of our community partners isays about Omega Nu:

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, 2027.

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

• Organization name, email, and address

• Contact Name

• Organizational Financials

• Request description and budget

• TaxID number and/or 501C3 number

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.

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

• The Santa Cruz County elementary schools that are eligible for awards in the Fall of 2027: 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 2028: Boulder Creek, DeLaveaga, Gault, Green Acres, Mar Vista, Pacific, Santa Cruz Gardens, Soquel, Valencia, and Vine Hill.

Teachers from the middle schools listed above for Fall 2026 are eligible to apply for a grant this year.

Applications for this year are available here now and will be accepted until November 20, 2026.

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 2026 $115,000 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

The deadline for this year has passed. Here are the high school and college counseling offices that we serve:

• Aptos

• Harbor

• Santa Cruz

• Soquel

• San Lorenzo Valley

• Scotts Valley

• Santa Cruz Charter Schools

• Cabrillo College (online only)

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 March 25th, 2027. 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 the first week in May. 

Date of Awards: Scholarship recipients will be notified the week of May 11th.

RENEWAL APPLICATIONS

If you are a current scholarship recipient and would like to apply for a renewal scholarship for the upcoming year, they will be available in February. Completed applications are due March 25th, 2027.

THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL DAY AT THE PARK!

DUCKY DERBY 2026

Thank you to everyone who helped make Ducky Derby a success. We appreciate all the wonderful donors, sponsors, and volunteers who helped us to reach our fundraising goal.

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. Here is a complete list of winners from this year.