Cooper Foundation Renews Scholarships at Nebraska Private Colleges and Universities
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Lincoln, Neb. — The Cooper Foundation Board of Trustees renewed the Cooper Foundation Scholarships for Students of Color for 2019-2022 at six private colleges and universities in Nebraska – Bellevue, College of Saint Mary, Doane, Hastings, Midland, and Nebraska Wesleyan. The scholarship provides $3,000 annually to a student at each school and follows the student through graduation, as long as they remain in good academic standing. The scholarship program was created by the Foundation in 2010.
In addition, the Foundation approved grants in December totaling $150,707 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, December 2018
Arts
Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE – $5,000
Support for “30 Americans,” the Museum’s first major exhibition to survey the work of contemporary African American artists, opening in February, 2019.
Nebraskans for the Arts – $5,000
General operating support for this organization that advocates for arts policy, arts education, and participation in the arts throughout Nebraska.
Sheldon Art Association – $10,000
Toward a new strategic plan.
Community Improvement
South of Downtown Community Development Organization – $5,000
Toward community development activities.
Education
Civic Nebraska – $10,000
Toward the Civic Health Program Manager staff position.
Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries – $5,000
To support the Begin with Books program, a collaborative program with Lincoln health agencies to promote early childhood literacy and reading for young children.
Jewish Federation of Omaha –Anti-Defamation League – $5,000
Support for an anti-bias and anti-bullying workshop for Lincoln Public Schools.
University of Nebraska State Museum – $10,000
To support staffing to enhance the visitor experience of Cherish Nebraska, the Museum’s new fourth-floor exhibition that celebrates the natural heritage and diversity of life that has been shaped over millennia by Nebraska’s changing environments, opening February 2019.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, E.N. Thompson Forum – $20,707
Support for the 2019-2020 series from the Thompson Family Fund, established at the Cooper Foundation in 1999 by E.N. “Jack” and Katie Thompson to support the Thompson Forum.
Environment
Doane University, Crete, NE- $10,000
Support for a Sustainability Master Plan as part of the vision and mission of the Institute of Human and Planetary Health. This plan will address the need to reduce energy consumption and tackle waste management, which is important to students, faculty and staff, and surrounding communities.
Lincoln Parks and Recreation Foundation – $10,000
Support for Phase III of the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch.
Nebraska Conservation Education Fund – $10,000
Support for the Common Ground program, which empowers Nebraskans to protect and enhance their natural environment through locally-led education efforts, service learning, and community organizing.
Human Services
CASA for Lancaster County – $10,000
General operating support. CASA for Lancaster County recruits, trains and supervises volunteer advocates who are appointed by Juvenile Court Judges to be a voice for abused and neglected children in the court system.
El Centro de las Americas – $15,000
General operating support for El Centro, which provides education, family support, health programs, youth leadership programming, and cultural programs for Hispanic/Latino families in Lincoln/Lancaster County.
Legal Aid of Nebraska – $10,000
Support for the UPLIFT program in Lincoln, to provide targeted legal services to low-income families in collaboration with local community centers and support organizations.
Nebraska Appleseed – $10,000
Support for the Intake & Information Community Assistance Program
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