Ashton McCoy fills a water bottle during her shift at the McCook YMCA. This past spring, the Y was a recipient of $4,000, which was used to replace outdated water fountains throughout the facility.
Grant applications are due by Thursday, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. to be eligible for the fall grant cycle. Grant applications are available online at mccookfoundation.org.
This past spring, eight different grants were distributed to local organizations and projects. But like everything in 2020, even those grants are bit different this year. Several of the grants have not been used yet, because they were planned for events which were cancelled or postponed or took on a new purpose.
Simply Strings received $1,000 for its September 2020 concert, but that event has been postponed with a date still to be determined, hopefully in early 2021.
Cultivate Rural Leaders (CLR) was to host a leadership symposium as part of the Nebraska Community Foundation’s annual training and banquet, planned for McCook in November 2020. While NCF’s 2020 banquet is now a virtual event, McCook is scheduled to host the 2021 annual banquet which will include CRL’s leadership symposium.
And 2020 was supposed to be the fifth anniversary of the Prairie Roots Festival, the free outdoor music festival at Barnett Park. When Prairie Roots was cancelled like most events, the McCook Arts Council decided to donate the $1,500 to local arts teachers to purchase additional art supplies.
But the remaining spring 2020 grants are in use throughout the community:
- McCook Community College received $5,000 toward the Hormel Business Competition, planned for this fall/winter
- High Plains Historical Society received $800 for a new Red Willow County 4-H display
- Ed Thomas YMCA received $4,000 to replace aging water fountains throughout the facility
- McCook Public Schools received $1,500 for its special education sensory room at the McCook Elementary School
- And the Family Resource Center received $1,500 for its patient assistance program, a collaboration with the Community Hospital Foundation
Of the nearly $140,000 in grants this year, more than $100,000 of those funds have been part of the MCFF’s new COVID-19 Response Account. Those projects have included everything from a $40,000 Bridging the Homework Gap program at McCook schools to $20,000 for utility and rent assistance funding through Community Action Partners. MCFF also collaborated with McCook Christian for the COVID-Cash spending program, which wrapped up earlier this month.
Funds for projects relating to the pandemic are still available on an on-going basis with no specific deadline. The grant application for the COVID account is also available on the MCFF website.
Twice a year, the McCook Community Foundation Fund distributes grants to local non-profit organizations and other charitable programs, which meet MCFF’s mission: Making McCook a better place to call home.
Since its inception in 2001, MCFF has distributed more than $560,000 in grants and scholarships with a complete list available on the MCFF website.
McCook Community Foundation Fund is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.
Most likely, we aren't going to be good at something at the start. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
August 2025 Volunteer of the Month Bruce McDowell can be found walking around McCook for his health, to be helpful or maybe even attend a meeting.
It takes work and effort to be social but its vital to our community.
McCook's young people are shaping their hometown through a various projects.
MCFF Summer Hometown Intern Natalie Roberts shares how her perspective on McCook changed over the past few months.
With the McCook Aquatic Center closing soon for the season, another tradition - Mr. Bill and his 25-cent snow-cones - will likely be coming to an end soon too.
McCook among five Nebraska communities in Revitalize and Thrive Program
Getting Outside of National Night Out Nearly everyone can tell you their last interaction with the police or the fire department. And unfortunately because of the nature of the organizations, it is usually not at a positive moment. My last contact with the McCook Police Department was just a few weeks ago, when I was pulled over on B Street in McCook…on my scooter. I pulled into the wrong lane when making a turn, which is illegal. But in my defense, it was an act of self-defense to just get through the intersection of East B and Sixth streets alive. Since the drivers haven’t seen a stop-light since Holdrege, cars and semis regularly run the traffic light, which makes me a wee bit vulnerable as I pass through the lanes. I got off with a warning but the true punishment were the texts throughout the day from everyone who saw me with my scooter and the police officer. Since most exchanges with police and fire are not on good terms, National Night Out was created to have an evening of positive interactions, to remind the public that the police and fire departments are just normal people, doing their jobs, looking out for their friends and neighbors, trying to create a safe community for everyone. National Night Out is designed to simply join your friends and neighbors for an evening of fellowship and fun. It is an opportunity to meet local law enforcement, creating safer and more caring neighborhoods. McCook is joining thousands of other communities across the country in hosting National Night Out, which typically takes place on the first Tuesday of August every year. Planned for Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. in and around Norris Park in McCook, the night includes a bike parade, a walk, awards for bike decorating, desserts and more. In other words, it is simply a block party to hang out. Numerous organizations have come together to make the evening possible. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the McCook Rotary Club are hosting a bike parade that starts at 6 p.m. Linda Maiden with State Farm, a bicycle helmet advocate, will also be in Norris Park. The streets around Norris Park will be shut down to provide a safe area to ride, as well as more space to cruise around the block. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bike, scooter, roller skates or anything on wheels. This could mean streamers, pompom balls, markers or even the old classic - playing cards in the spokes of your wheels. Some supplies will be available at the park for use if you show up and realize you are the most underdressed person at the party. If your bike has an inch of dust on it, this is a great time to get it out, wipe it off and get it rolling. And if your bike needs minimal fixes like a flat tire or a brake adjustment, bike tools will be on hand along with myself and my hubbie, who know just enough about bike repair to be dangerous but did manage a 300-plus mile bike ride last week so we must be doing something right. But let’s say you don’t have a bike or biking isn’t your cup of tea? Then you are still encouraged to join the “Walk in the Park,” hosted by Community Hospital. Designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, walkers will stroll around the park and the neighborhood at whatever pace you feel like with strollers and dogs on leashes welcomed. And perhaps most importantly, there will be a chance to meet members of the McCook Police and Fire Department, getting to see police cars and fire engines close-up in a non-emergency manner, always the best way to see them. And if the weather cooperates, there may be a fire hose, water and spraying involved. If you have been at the Culbertson Fourth of July parade, you know it is up to you to stay out of the line of fire if you want to remain dry. We all have excuses for why we don’t want to go out at night, especially after a long day at work. But National Night Out in McCook on Aug. 5 is a great reason to get out your bicycle and lace up your walking shoes. Hang out with your friends, get to know your neighbors and meet your first responders. That is what makes our communities just a little bit better.
Judy McCune named July 2025 McCook volunteer of the month
Joyce Anderson named June 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
