Cooper Foundation Awards Third Quarter Grants

October 4, 2016

COOPER FOUNDATION AWARDS THIRD QUARTER GRANTS

Lincoln, Neb. — The Cooper Foundation awarded a grant of $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln/Lancaster County (BGC) toward general operating support to support the club’s growth. They make a positive impact on the lives of the 1,300 young people they serve, to be empowered to excel in school, become good citizens and lead healthy, productive lives. BGC completed their successful capital campaign, “One Child at a Time” in late 2015 that included raising funds to expand their space at Park Middle School. The new facility, to open in the spring of 2017, will increase from 2,500 to 12,500 sq. ft. and will include a gym. They expect to serve at least 370 youth daily.

In total, $101,737 was awarded, supporting education, human services, the arts, and the environment. All grant recipients are located in Lincoln unless otherwise noted.

Lincoln Music Teachers Association – $2,500
Toward the Music Outreach Program (MOP), which provides scholarships for private music lessons for 50 students who aren’t otherwise able to afford them.

Metropolitan Opera/Nebraska Auditions – $1,000
Toward the 2016 annual Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the longest running audition of its kind in the country, having begun in 1953. The Nebraska District has been a part of the organization since 1962.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lied Center for the Performing Arts – $5,000
Toward educational and outreach programs for young people as part of the performance Heather Henson’s Crane: On Earth, In Sky. This performance explores the mystery and spiritual essence of a crane’s life cycle through puppetry, kiting, and the earth-centered and cultural perspectives of North America’s indigenous people.

Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools – $10,000
General operating support for 2016-2017.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Lincoln/Lancaster County – $10,000
Toward general operating support for their new expanded facility at Park Middle School.

Bridge Behavioral Health – $10,000
Toward the creation of a new position, Peer Support Coordinator, to formalize the new peer support program for participants in substance abuse treatment programs. Peers are trained volunteers who engage with participants and share life experiences to help others make informed choice and progress in their recovery.

Center for Legal Immigration Assistance – $15,000
Toward general operating support. The Center for Legal Immigration Assistance (CLIA) provides free or low cost legal services to 600 clients annually. CLIA handles many types of immigration cases ranging from simple Work Authorization cases to complex cases such as political asylum, guardianship and removal proceedings.

Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach – $15,000
Toward the staff position of Director of Business and Finance, to support organizational growth and program expansion, particularly three new initiatives focused on finding permanent housing for people who are homeless.

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation – $15,000
Support for the Lincoln Youth Eviction Prevention Program (YEPP) in collaboration with Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties. YEPP will provide a youth advocate, financial assistance, rental housing education, and budgeting skills training for eligible young people ages 18-24 facing eviction from their current housing situation.

United Way of Lincoln/Lancaster County – $18,237
Toward general operations to support the United Way annual campaign.

The Cooper Foundation, established by Joseph H. Cooper in 1934, has granted nearly $23 million to benefit the people of Nebraska. The Foundation makes quarterly grants supporting education, human services, the arts, the humanities, and the environment primarily in Lincoln and Lancaster County. For more information about guidelines and deadlines visit the Foundation’s web site, www.cooperfoundation.org.