Cooper Foundation Approves Over $200,000 in Second Grant Cycle
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Lincoln, Neb. — The Cooper Foundation contributed $15,000 to United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County to support the Lincoln Resettlement Fund, a one-time community fundraising effort to support essential services for newly arrived refugees, including families from Afghanistan and Ukraine. The fund will support local nonprofit organizations that provide wraparound services to refugees, including basic needs such as housing, transportation, and childcare. The goal is to raise $400,000 and distribute funds this summer. For more information visit, https://www.unitedwaylincoln.org/.
In addition, the Cooper Foundation’s Board of Trustees awarded grants to a diverse group of arts, civic and community engagement, education, environment, and human services organizations. In total, $208,000 was awarded; grant recipients are in Lincoln unless otherwise noted.
Approved for Funding by the Cooper Foundation, June 2022
Arts
Lincoln Calling: $15,000
Staffing and organizational support for the Lincoln Calling Music and Arts Festival.
Lincoln Crossroads Music Festival: $10,000
Support for the third Crossroads Music Festival in Lincoln, July 23-31, 2022, which brings internationally recognized artists to Lincoln who share the stage with local musicians and artists representing many diverse cultural groups that call Lincoln home. The festival brings together audiences and 60+ artists for music experiences, meaningful dialogue, and connection.
LUX Center for the Arts: $15,000
General operating support as LUX grows its three core programs: art education & outreach, artists-in-residence, and exhibitions.
Mid-America Arts Alliance: $10,000
Second year funding for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Initiative.
Nebraska Cultural Endowment: $10,000
Operational funding for this private endowment that matches a public fund managed by the state of Nebraska to provide sustainability for the arts and humanities in Nebraska.
Vision Maker Media: $5,000
Support for the 9th biennial Vision Maker Media Film Festival that showcases a variety of American Indian, Alaska Native, and worldwide Indigenous films, and brings filmmakers in for public presentations and discussions.
Civic and Community Engagement
Nebraska Appleseed: $10,000
To support the Community Assistance Line to provide support and referral services for low-income Nebraskans.
Nebraska Journalism Trust-Flatwater Free Press: $10,000
Funding for the Flatwater Free Press’ Lincoln Initiative to provide Lincoln residents with accessible, nonpartisan journalism. Flatwater Free Press is Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories serving the entire state.
Education
Educare Lincoln: $10,000
To support the pilot of an early childhood workforce development program.
Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska: $10,500
Support toward the Lincoln Outreach Summer Series Day Camp program.
Junior Achievement of Lincoln: $10,000
General operating support.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, School of Natural Resources: $5,000
Funding for Community Climate Awareness Week (October 2022), to address climate change and its implications for Nebraska with the goal of educating people of all ages and promoting action.
Environment
Nebraska Land Trust: $15,000
Staffing support for this organization that is a nationally recognized and accredited land trust that uses conservation easements to protect more than 32,000 acres of land across Nebraska.
Human Services
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lincoln: $7,500
General operating support.
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties: $15,000
Funding to support furnishings, equipment, and technology for new rooms at Community Action Partnerships’ renovated early childhood education center at 18th and K Street.
United Way of Lincoln/Lancaster County: $15,000
To support the Lincoln Resettlement Fund, a one-time community fundraising effort for ongoing wrap around supports to enhance services for newly arrived Afghan and Ukrainian refugee families.
Visionary Youth: $15,000
General operating support. Visionary Youth provides basic needs items, formal mentorship opportunities, and a safe space for youth and families in Lincoln through back-to-school and holiday events and programming at their Community Hub.
YWCA Lincoln: $20,000
General operating support for programming, partnerships, and capacity building for training and education programs.
The Cooper Foundation, established by Joseph H. Cooper in 1934, has granted over $27 million to benefit the people of Nebraska. The Foundation makes quarterly grants supporting the arts, civic and community engagement, education, environment, the humanities, and human services primarily in Lincoln and Lancaster County. For more information about grant guidelines and deadlines, visit the foundation’s web site, www.cooperfoundation.org.