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.