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McCook Community Foundation Fund distributes $13,000
McCOOK, Neb. -- Descending into the newly renovated basement at the McCook Public Library, the floors are covered with fresh carpet and the walls shine with a clean coat of paint. And while there is a lot of new furniture spread throughout the library, some of the tables on the lower level look a little "distinctive" and "have a lot of character" -- to put it mildly.
Some of the tables still in use in the library basement are coated with glue, streaked with colorful markers and littered with various shades of glitter. And one or two tables even bend and flex in the middle from years and years of use. But with a grant from the McCook Community Foundation Fund, the McCook Library will be able to purchase new tables for the basement, making the area more practical for the community.
"These tables will make the rooms more usable and will provide an opportunity for the library to host more groups and organizations," said McCook Librarian Jody Crocker about the new Community Meeting Room in the library basement.
"While we don't mind the glue and markers during youth projects, other groups would like to have tables with less 'character' and the table should be arriving soon," she said.
Crocker had already picked out the tables which would complement the rooms as well as to serve multiple purposes in the library basement. All she needed were the funds to purchase the tables. And, thanks to the funds from MCFF, she can move forward and make the library's lower level even more inviting and useful.
The McCook Library was one of several organizations which received a grant from the McCook Community Foundation Fund during the spring 2015 grant process. From the MCFF unrestricted endowment, $13,000 was granted this past spring.
In addition to $1,500 to the McCook Library, the 2015 spring grants included $2,500 to the Southwest Nebraska Habitat for Humanity organization to fund new housing construction; $3,500 for the McCook Heritage Tour, which is a self-guided walking tour of McCook's historical sites; and $1,000 to the Teammates Mentoring Program of McCook to add to the scholarship endowment fund for program participants. The City of McCook also received a $4,500 grant toward a feasibility study for a city auditorium.
As part of the more than $26,000 awarded during the 2014-2015 grants from MCFF, McCook Public Schools received $7,200 in curriculum development grants used by staff this past school year.
To qualify for the grants, applications must have met the McCook Community Fund's mission which included grants that help fund innovative projects, impact the greatest number of individuals, directly impact people and create partnerships in action and funding. Awarded each spring and fall, MCFF awards grants through its endowment. Endowments are permanent investments whose principle remains intact forever, while earnings on the investment are used to support worthy projects. Strong endowments assure long-term financial support for community needs and opportunities for many generations.
The McCook Community Foundation Fund works to maintain McCook as a vibrant, inclusive community with access to the world for generations to come. McCook's legacy and heritage have endured for 130 years. MCFF helps prepare McCook for the next 130.
If you would like more information about the McCook Community Foundation Fund or would like to invest in the future of McCook, please visit nebcommfound.org/fund/McCook, email mcff@gmail.com, or call (308) 340-3412.