McCook Community Foundation Fund Name is part of a nearly $1.2 million statewide effort to bridge the learning gap in the face of Covid-19.
Using funds from MCFF’s Covid-19 Response Account along with matching grants from the Nebraska Community Foundation, McCook Public Schools and St. Patrick Elementary School will receive more than $40,000 in funds.
McCook Public Schools has received a $34,000 grant to hire staff to assist students who are at a greater disadvantage because of the pandemic. St. Pat’s received $7,170 to purchase additional technology for the elementary school.
With these additional funds, MPS will add at least one staff member to help those students who have previously struggled in school and are at the biggest disadvantage when things change.
Grant funds will be used to hire staff who would be responsible for reaching out to those students who have been identified as being at a higher risk of falling further behind academically, according to McCook High School principal Jeff Gross.
“The staff would be responsible for ensuring that these students have everything they need to be successful, from coordinating additional educational assistance to simply checking in with the student,” Gross said. “Specifically, this position would work closely with the parents of the affect students, either in person or via Zoom technology.“
This staff would also work closely with the teachers of the at-risk students to determine how to best help the affected students. If staff time and finances allow, the staff would also address mental health issues as part of the education plan.
At St. Pat’s, grant funds will be used to purchase additional iPads, supplementing the current supply so that students in grades 5-8 have greater access.
St. Patrick Principal Becky Redl said that providing more iPads will allow students and teachers to work on learning the skills necessary to become successful in the virtual education world.
Funding for the Bridging the Learning Gap program was available exclusively to affiliated funds of Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) including MCFF, which provided the 1:1 local match.
McCook’s matching funds came from MCFF’s COVID 19 Response Account as well as a $10,000 anonymous donation toward the account.
NCF’s Bridging the Learning Gap initiative was capitalized by an anonymous donor and the Alice DeVoe Donor-Advised Fund, an affiliated fund of NCF.
Grants were approved and allocated by a committee of six volunteer NCF affiliated fund leaders who have educational expertise, including teachers, administrators and school board members. All applications received funding. Importantly, learning gap needs were identified locally by school leadership, as were proposed solutions.
“We are deeply proud of the way the NCF network of affiliated funds came together to meet this need,” said Jeff Yost, president and CEO of Nebraska Community Foundation. “We are so grateful to the visionary donors who are supporting this important work and to the local leaders and educators who are rolling up their sleeves to ensure our kids receive the educational experiences they deserve, even in the midst of a global crisis.”
These grants are the second round of funds to address issues related to education during the pandemic.
In May, McCook Public Schools received $40,000 as part of NCF’s Bridging the Homework Gap with $20,000 from MCFF’s COVID account. The grant was used to purchase additional Chromebooks in the McCook Junior High and Central Elementary with the goal of reaching 1-to-1 technology to students. Funds were also available to purchase internet “hotspots,” for those students who don’t have reliable internet service at home.
St. Patrick’s also received $4,000 in May to expand the amount of technology available at the elementary school.
Since the creation of MCFF’s COVID-19 account in March, more than $120,000 in grants have been distributed into the community. When combined with the $37,600 from the NCF matching grants, nearly $160,000 has been provided in the community to help students, address housing issues and provide economic development.
A complete list of grants from MCFF’s COVID account is available online at mccookfoundation.org.
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.
