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 This past spring, the Y was a recipient of $4,000, which was used to replace outdated water fountains throughout the facility.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.
Sara Rippen named February 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month
Practicing Good Stewardship Takes Effort But Reaps Many Rewards
Bison Days brings high schoolers and community members to learn about job possibilities but also interests and hobbies in their hometown.
With little to snow on the ground in McCook, holiday lights help beat the drab and dreary season.
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.
Master Storyteller Will be Missed but Memories Remain
Maintaining the status quo or not doing anything may be cheaper initially but long-term, the costs are more.
Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.
As the year comes to a close, members of the MCFF Advisory Committee share "why" they do their community work.
