Fall Grant Deadline Approaching

McCook outdoor pickleball courts spring MCFF grant recipient

Last spring, a local group of enthusiastic pickle ball players approached the McCook Community Foundation Fund about a possible grant for improved courts at Russell Park.
Armed with a $20,000 grant from MCFF, the group went on to raise an additional $50,000 and have completely renovated the existing pickle ball courts in less than six months. The number of available courts have expanded from two to three, the surface was completely redone for a safer playing surface, and fencing was installed to keep the ball from rolling into the street. Additionally, cement bases have been poured for lighting in the future.

Funding was handled through the Community Hospital Health Foundation with upkeep to be done by the City of McCook.

The pickle ball grant was among more than $73,000 in funding awarded this past spring by MCFF. But the fall grant cycle is approaching with a deadline of Oct. 1. Applications will be reviewed in October with grants awarded in November.

Other grants awarded this past spring include:

Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival

Hormel Youth Entrepreneurship Camp

Fox Theater Marquee Renovation

McCook Chautauqua with Nebraska Humanities

McCook Creative Arts District Research

MCFF Young and Usually Professional Leadership Group

YMCA Feasibility Study

YCR Drive-In Movie Challenge Grant

Scholarships for Good Living Camp with Rabble Mill

MCFF distributes grants twice a year, each spring and fall, with more than $150,000 available annually to organizations and individuals who are working to make McCook an even better place to call home.

A complete list of previous grant winners is available on the MCFF website, mcookfoundation.org, along with an application form and more information about MCFF.

McCook Community Foundation Fund is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.

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Jan. 2026 Volunteer of the Month Devoted to Church and Community

By Ronda Graff • January 22, 2026

To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.