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 This past spring, the Y was a recipient of $4,000, which was used to replace outdated water fountains throughout the facility.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.
Jeremy Shaw named April 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
While the Bison Alumni Newsletter will still be available digitally, a new printed service is available.
During a recent performance at the Fox Theater by the Lied's Arts Across Nebraska, there was one group who was not thanked: those who showed up for the event, which is a big deal.
Mark Friehe named March McCook Volunteer of the Month.
Although the Bodensteiners no longer live in Southwest Nebraska, they are still connected and wanted to see if prosper and thrive.
From long-term projects to weekly events, you cannot say "there is nothing to do" or "nothing is happening."
With the goal of reaching 200 subscriptions, the Bison Alumni Newsletter is launching a subscription service.
Long-time volunteer Don Harpst was recognized as the first McCook Volunteer of the Month in March 2025.
McCook's youth survey shows that young people now value safety in their community, something McCook provides.
Building Connections in McCook Matters June in McCook will be abuzz with fun events including a Youth Summit, hosted by McCook Community Foundation Fund. Our young people in Youth Change Reaction will host the first Nebraska Community Foundation gathering for youth, which will bring youth from across Nebraska to McCook. While still in the planning stages, our students identified that McCook is great because of connections . Our young people easily recognize how critical this factor is to people attraction, to people retention, and to improve their futures. What I miss most about my high school classroom is connections with students and colleagues. In education, I taught first, second, and sometimes third generations in families. My husband, Greg, and I are not McCook natives, but I eventually knew who was related to whom and usually where the parent(s) were employed. Going to the grocery store meant greetings from students and sometimes their family members. I officially retired from my high school classroom nine years ago in May. When you retire, the most-asked question becomes “What do you do with your time?” I try to maintain those connections and make new ones by belonging. For the past seven years, Sharon Bohling and I have volunteered to help plan and organize Bison Days for our high school students, which took place February 10 and 11. It would not happen without the financial support of McCook Community Foundation Fund, plus the McCook High School, local businesses, and the talented people of Southwest Nebraska who say “yes” when one of us reaches out to ask for the donation of time and talent. I would venture that they allow us to be on the Bison Days’ committee because we both have connections within our community—it’s certainly not our computer savvy. Connections can also solve a problem. Recently, I signed up to help a local family in crisis. My morning plan revolved around delivering my donation at a designated drop-off place. That didn’t work out. Fortunately, I still work with youth in various capacities, so I know that Keri Wilkinson works for Camy Bradley. Keri was an organizer for the family fundraiser, so I walked in Camy’s office hoping to find Keri. She was not there, so Camy and I visited briefly. She knew someone (who I did not know) who could possibly give me further direction. Only in a town with connections are you able to interrupt someone’s business, have her reach out for you using her connections , and offer to keep the donations for me until Keri’s return. Another great example of connecting can be found over coffee. Dee Friehe and I are longtime teacher friends. During a chance meeting at the grocery store a few weeks ago, she shared how she was there following a funeral service and was gathering supplies to deliver supper to the grieving family that night. She also updated me on her group of adults who meet for coffee on Thursdays at Ember’s, which varies from 8-28 depending on the day. She recognized the need for adults moving to McCook or folks just wanting to get out to make connections . Dee’s husband, Mark, also hosts his own group of men who are new(er) to McCook. She regaled me with stories of their Christmas party and other special gatherings. Wanting to call McCook your home is solidified by building connections . Ronda Graff has written about McCook Connects which matches a McCook person with someone new to the community of similar interests. I earned my McCook Connects’ T-shirt welcoming a young family with children. We have since spent many hot summer days sitting on bleachers together cheering on our 4-H horse kids while they show their horses. Warning: I connected them with a “free” new-to-them horse. Be careful connecting with me or you’ll probably own a horse. You do not have to be retired to connect in this community. Volunteering is a surefire way to meet people. McCook has many civic groups looking for new faces. Attend a church here; we have many welcoming congregations. Go to ball games or school concerts, attend concerts in the park, learn a new skill through the college, show up at a Third Thursday event or invite the neighbors for a BBQ. Take your youngsters to story hour or Move and Groove at the library. Go watch an event at the Kiplinger Arena. You can even take it a step further: Make a friend or call a friend and invite him/her to go with you. It is human connection that keeps us healthy and happy. If McCook Community Foundation Fund can help you connect in some meaningful way, please reach out for advice or support. *** While Pam Wolford may be retired, she is just as busy serving on the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee and started a new Learn and Return Scholarship with MCFF, while stepping up to grandparent whenever the call comes in.
