By RONDA GRAFF

MCFF

McCOOK - Over the year, McCook has seen a lot of progress and movement, thanks to volunteers, businesses and organizations coming together to make things happen. 

From opening a new outdoor pool to a multi-million dollar capital campaign at the YMCA to a drive-in movie at the fairgrounds, McCook is on the Move. 

And the McCook Community Foundation Fund has been proud to be a part of many of these projects which are transforming the community. 

Some of that participation has come in the form of grants over the past year. Over the past year, MCFF has granted more than $250,000 to a dozen organizations which are working day-in and day-out to improve the quality of life for young and old and everyone in between. 

Perhaps the most visible grant was used to pay for all the entry fees at the new McCook Aquatic Center during its opening season in 2024. Regardless of age or hometown, everyone entered the city pool at no cost thanks to the grant from MCFF to celebrate the opening of McCook’s new pool.

This was in addition to MCFF paying for the certification training of any lifeguard working at the YMCA or McCook pool the past two years.

In November, the McCook Fund Advisory Committee approved grants that had a strong focus on McCook’s younger citizens. 

McCook Public Schools benefitted from several grants including an addition for the CNC Router in the school’s industrial arts department. The router is a computer-controlled machine that can cut, shape, and engrave a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and metal, enabling students to design and create 3-D projects.

For McCook’s ag-education department, students will have access to a large animal management artificial insemination simulator. This equipment will allow students to focus on genetics and how producers can impact their herds through targeted breeding programs using artificial insemination. 

And MCFF has supported the MHS Bison Days since its inception in 2020 with an annual grant in honor of Arvene and Neva Myers. Bison Days involved every high school student, immersing them in businesses, hobbies, and even certification that they many never learn about if not for this two-day event each February.

On behalf of the Andy and Geri Anderson Endowment, MCFF recently granted $7,500 to the city of McCook’s new inclusive playground at Kelley Park. 

In honor of the Sehnert Challenge, MCFF granted funds to the 6th Floor non-profit to help with costs at the ArtBank/McCook. 

These grants are in addition to the grants provided last spring for several projects, which included UNL Rural Journalism Interns, a collaboration with the McCook EDC, Chamber and City of McCook; a bike share program on the MCC campus; projects through the McCook Arts Council; a back-to-school resource fair at McCook Christian Church; dining room chairs at Hillcrest Nursing Home; and helping with the inaugural season at the ArtBank.

In addition to these individual grants, MCFF has committed a multi-year pledge to the YMCA capital campaign, even increasing it this year to help the Y reach its goal for the renovation and expansion at the 40-year-old facility. 

As MCFF looks toward 2025, the fund advisory committee is looking forward to continuing to make an impact through grant-making with more than $200,000 available thanks to generous donors, but with additional focus on conversations about planned giving and Five to Thrive, helping organizations become better versions of themselves and ultimately making McCook an even better place to call home.