Cooper Foundation Approves Third Quarter Grants
Lincoln, Neb. — The Cooper Foundation awarded a challenge grant of $10,000 to No Footprint Too Small Birth and Bereavement Services (NFTS) for general operating support. Cooper will provide a one to one match from new or increased donations. NFTS provides services to mothers, fathers, and families who experience pregnancy and infant loss (PAIL). No Footprint is the only agency in Lancaster County supporting this population using a continuum of care. They provide birth and bereavement doula support, guidance on funeral and burial arrangements, care packages and weighted memory bears. They refer to other applicable resources within our community, such as translation services to mothers and families whose first language is Spanish. The grief support groups and retreats help to improve maternal health, birth outcomes and healthy behaviors.
Overall, Cooper Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved grants at the third quarter grant cycle totaling $260,059 to 16 nonprofit organizations. The foundation awarded grants to a diverse group of arts, community improvement, education, environment and human services organizations. Grant recipients are located in Lincoln unless otherwise noted.
Approved for Funding by the Cooper Foundation, September 2018
Arts
Metropolitan Opera/Nebraska Auditions – $1,000
Support for the 2018-2019 Nebraska auditions.
Community Improvement
ACLU of Nebraska – $15,000
General operating support.
Nebraska Sports Council – $20,000
For computer network upgrades and new technology.
Education
Nebraska Wesleyan University – $19,000
In support of a collaborative project with Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties to build an advanced service-learning program for Nebraska Wesleyan students.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Nebraska Extension Lancaster County – $10,000
Toward supplies for the Raising Healthy Nebraskans program.
Environment
Lincoln Children’s Zoo – $25,000
In support of the Love Your Zoo Campaign.
Nebraska Land Trust – $15,000
General operating support.
Human Services
Asian Community and Cultural Center – $25,000
General operating support.
CEDARS Youth Services – $30,000
In support of a staff therapist for the youth emergency shelter.
Child Guidance Center – $15,000
To increase clinical and direct staff salaries, supporting the organization’s ability to hire and retain quality staff.
Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach – $20,000
In support of a new full-time Alcohol & Drug Counselor.
MilkWorks – $9,000
For upgraded technology to implement an electronic health records system.
No Footprint Too Small Birth and Bereavement Services – $10,000
General operating support.
St. Monica’s – $20,000
To support technology upgrades.
United Way of Lincoln/Lancaster County – $19,160
Support for the 2018 annual campaign.
University of Nebraska Public Policy Center – $6,899
Toward the Lincoln/Lancaster County Youth Crisis Response Coalition (YCRC) resource mapping project.
The Cooper Foundation, established by Joseph H. Cooper in 1934, has granted over $24 million to benefit the people of Nebraska. The Foundation makes quarterly grants supporting arts, community improvement, education, environment, humanities and human services primarily in Lincoln and Lancaster County. For more information about grant guidelines and deadlines, call 402-476-7571, or visit the foundation’s web site, www.cooperfoundation.org.