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What We Do

Grantmaking

Grants

OTCF has awarded over 7 million dollars in grants to projects in our Valley from various donor advised funds and donations to the Foundation.
As a community foundation, we hold multiple funds with specified purposes. Some of those funds are focused on a priority area
as defined by a donor, other are in response to community needs, and others are for individual scholarships.

Our grants are specifically for our service area, including the Nebraska Panhandle and Eastern Wyoming 

Please email us at info@otcf.org with any questions. Thanks!

Grant Deadlines: February 1 | June 1 | October 1
 

 

2023

  • Legacy of the Plains Museum - $10,000 - Construction of playground for visiting families, weary travelers, and for educational program for youth
  • Community Christian School - $1,000 - Technology for expanding enrollment
  • Nebraska State Historical Society - $25,000 - Construction of "Walk to the Rock" - a .75 miles trail from the visitor's center to Chimney Rock
  • Hemingford Legion Post #9 - $2,000 - Replace entrance doors for security and safety access
  • Playtime Matters Event - $10,000 - For the creation of greenspace at Mitchell Elementary School - a play area for school kids to play games, etc.
  • Sunrise Historic & Prehistoric Preservation Society - $1,000 - Repair Earth stove and chimney. Only source of heat in teh oldest YMCA in the state of Wyoming
  • Kid's First Preschool / Daycare - $2,000 - For resurfacing playground

2022

Total Granted to Community: $111,312

  • Cirrus House - $10,812 to renovate apartments for clients of Cirrus House
  • City of Scottsbluff / 18th Street Plaza - $10,000 to complete final construction of the 18th Street Plaza
  • Morrill Public Schools Ag Complex - $10,000 - to assist with construction costs for Morrill School's Ag Education Complex
  • Legal Aid of Nebraska - $1,500 - purchase of tables for center
  • Empowering Families - $1,000 - 24th Annual Multicultural Youth Leadership Conference
  • West Nebraska Art Center - 2,000 New LED lighting in Bronson Gallery
  • Scottsbluff Public Schools - $10,000 New playground at Lincoln Heights, Lake Minatare, and Westmoor Schools
  • Regional West Foundation - $50,000  Varian Edge Linear Accelerator for Cancer Treatment Center at Regional West
  • The American Legion / Gering - $5,000 New pavilion at West Lawn Cemetary
  • Guadalupe Center - $3,000 - New chairs for the Guadalupe Community center
  • Community Ever Green House - $4,000 - Permanent Pollinator Habitat and Community Arboretum
  • Theater West - $4,000 - Wireless microphones and sound equipment

2021

Total Granted to Community: $105,060

  • Northfield Haven - $12,500  Facility renovation 
  • 11 13 Ministries - $3,000 - Food prep equipment
  • Sidney Park Project - $2,500 - handicap accessible playground eqipment
  • Scottsbluff Public School Program - $5,000 - Playground equipment at Roosevelt Elementary School
  • Alan Hertzler Community Fund  $5,000 - Basketball Court in Sidney, NE
  • Carpenter Center  - $15,000 - Upgrade Fitness Equipment, Gering, NE
  • Succeed $5,000 - Lighting for Baseball Fields, Chappell, NE
  • Theatre West - $2,250 -Ticket software and scanning device 
  • Options Pregnancy Center $5,000 - Equipment
  • Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Center - $354 - Meals on Wheels Mobile Library 
  • Riverside Discovery Center / Splash Pad upgrade $19,456
  • Midwest Theater - $25,000 (one of 4 year pledge) - Marquee and awning renovation
Grants Slideshow
  • Morrill Ag Center
  • New chairs for Guadalupe Center
  • West NE Art Center Grant
  • Community Ever Green House
  • 23 Club Baseball - Field Renovation
  • Covid Food Fund
  • Thanksgiving in the Valley - 2020
  • Carpenter Center - Equipment Upgrade
  • Bayard Schools Greenhouse
  • Violin Sprouts - Purchase of Violins
  • UNMC Ambulance Mobile Training
  • Greener Gardens NRD Greenhouse Completion
  • Chimney Rock Visitors Center Renovation
  • Rachel's Challenge - All School Event
  • Japanese Hall - Relocation to Legacy of the Plains Museum
  • Cirrus House - Kitchen Equipment
  • Angel of Hope Statue for Children's Memorial Park
  • Theatre West Lighting and Sound Improvements
  • Midwest Theater Facility Improvements
  • Buckboard Riding Academy - New Facility
  • UNMC Dental Hygiene School - 3D Printer
  • Riverside Discovery Center Bear Exhibit
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Past Grants

  • 2021

    Northfield Haven - $12,500  Facility renovation 
    11 13 Ministries - $3,000 - Food prep equipment
    Sidney Park Project - $2,500 - handicap accessible playground equipment
    Scottsbluff Public School Program - $5,000 - Playground equipment at Roosevelt Elementary School
    Alan Hertzler Community Fund  $5,000 - Basketball Court in Sidney, NE
    Carpenter Center  - $15,000 - Upgrade Fitness Equipment, Gering, NE
    Succeed $5,000 - Lighting for Baseball Fields, Chappell, NE
    Theatre West - $2,250 -Ticket software and scanning device 
    Options Pregnancy Center $5,000 - Equipment
    Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Center - $354 - Meals on Wheels Mobile Library 
    Riverside Discovery Center / Splash Pad upgrade $19,456
    Midwest Theater - $25,000 (one of 4 year pledge) - Marquee and awning renovation

  • 2020

    Total Grants awarded in 2020: $ 107,320.44
    - Bridgeport Library - $2,500
    - Bridgeport / City of (Tennis Court Project) - $2,500
    - Community Christian (Drinking Fountain) - $1,000
    - Old West Balloon Fest - $6,000
    - Regional West Foundation - $30,000
    - Scotts Bluff Celtic Gathering - $2,000
    - Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Center - Meals on Wheels program (new coolers) $820.44
    - Northfield Haven $12,500
    - Omaha Conservancy / Violin Sprouts $3,000
    - Morrill Tri-Community Preschool $5,000
    - West NE Arts Center $5,000
    - OTCF Covid Food Fund $20,000
    - UNMC School of Dentistry $12,000
    - Ducks Unlimited $5,000

  • 2019

    Total Grants to date for 2019: $ 81,950.00
    - The Carpenter Center $5,000
    - Old West Balloon Fest $7,500
    - West Nebraska Arts Center $1,150
    - Summit Christian College $2,000
    - Camp Scott $1,875
    - Leyton Public School Foundation $2,500
    - Japanese hall $5,000
    - Community Ever Green House $3,500
    - NE State Historical Society / Chimney Rock $25,000
    - Midwest Theater $2,500
    - MLH Nonprofit Development Co. $2,500
    - Bayard School Foundation $5,000
    - Ancova Empowerment Project $2,500
    - West NE Art Center $4,000
    - Theatre West $3,000
    - Gering Jr. High School $1,800
    - Cooperative Ministries (Cat Pack/Pup Pack program) $5,000

  • 2018

    Total Grants for 2018: $543,884.00
    - Carpenter Center $5,000
    - Old West Balloon Fest $7,000
    - Regional West Medical Center $2,500
    - Violin Sprouts $3,000
    - City of Gering / Park Band Shell $10,000
    - Regional West Foundation $15,000
    - Minatare Public Schools $7,000
    - NE Bicycling Alliance $7,000
    - Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Center $400
    - WNCC Foundation $20,000
    - Special Olympics $1,200
    - Camp Scott $1,500
    - Theatre West $2,000
    - Playtime Matters / Mitchell Elementary $5,000
    - Haven on the Rock $1,600
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater $2,500
    - City of Kimball $1,500
    - Gering Prep Baseball Club $3,364
    - WyoBraska GIVES - Grants to Community Nonprofits: $477,865* (see complete list on the WyoBraska GIVES page)

  • 2017

    Total $138,900
    - Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy $5,000
    - Common Grounds Dog Park / Monument Dog Park $10,000
    - WNCC Foundation $10,000 (10,000 x 5 year pledge)
    - Riverside Discovery Center $10,000
    - Geil Elementary School $2,000
    - Downtown Scottsbluff Assoc. $2,500
    - Kimball Hospital Foundation $1,500
    - Fortis Boy Choir $ 500
    - Morrill Public Schools $3,000
    - Violin Sprouts of Scottsbluff $1,000
    - Theatre West $1,900
    - Old West Balloon Fest $2,500
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater $5,000
    - 23 Club Baseball $40,000 ($10,000 x 4 years)
    - West Nebraska Arts Center $4,000
    - North Platte NRD Greenhouse $5,000

  • 2016

    Total $104,768
    - Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy $5,000
    - WNCC Foundation $10,000
    - Camp Rock (Panhandle Ministries) $ 500
    - PMHC Fndn./Recovery House $1,500
    - Fortis Boy Choir $ 700
    - WNAC $4,000
    - Twin Cities Baseball $ 5,000
    - Gering High School $2,000
    - Carpenter Center $5,000
    - Old West Balloon Fest $5,000
    - Theatre West $2,088
    - Northfield Elementary Booster Club $2,000
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater $5,000
    - Riverside Discovery Center $10,000
    - Circle the Bluffs Powwow $2,000
    - Friends of the Goodhand $1,500
    - Camp Scott (Panhandle Ministries) $ 1,500
    - West Nebraska Arts Center $1,980
    - OCM/Violin Sprouts of Scottsbluff $5,000
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater $25,000
    - Carpenter Center $10,000

  • 2015

    Total $42,212
    - Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy $5,000
    - WNCC Foundation $50,000 $10,000
    - Camp Rock (Panhandle Ministries) $500.00
    - PMHC Fndn./Recovery House $1,500.00
    - Fortis Boy Choir $700.00
    - WNAC $4,000
    - Twin Cities Baseball $5,000
    - Gering High School $2,000
    - Carpenter Center $5,000
    - Old West Balloon Fest $5,000
    - Theatre West $2,088
    - Northfield Elementary Booster Club $2,000
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater $ 5,000
    - Riverside Discovery Center $10,000
    - Circle the Bluffs Powwow $2,000
    - Friends of the Goodhand $1,500
    - Camp Scott (Panhandle Ministries) $1,500

  • 2014

    Total: $636,271
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater: $5,000
    - Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy- Build Indoor Riding Arena: $5,000 (for 4 years)
    - Nebraska Special Olympics: Sponsor Team Member -$1,500
    - Violin Sprouts of Scottsbluff Program: $5,000
    - Summer Program for Handicapped Children: 12 Campers -$1,500
    - Carpenter Center: Outdoor Basketball Court- $2,500
    - West Nebraska Arts Center: Restroom Renovation- $2,613
    - Dalton Senior Center: Building Improvements- $500
    - Herstead Monument: $3,800
    - Regional West Foundation: $5,000
    - WNCC Vocal Music: $5,000

  • 2013

    Total: $565,706
    - Theater West – Feather Flags: $896.87
    - Bone Marrow Donor Fund: $500
    - Longfellow School PTO – New Gymnasium Sound System: $2,500
    - City of Scottsbluff /Greener Nebraska Towns *from Seacrest: $5,000
    - Riverside Discovery Center *from Seacrest: $5,000
    - St. Joseph’s Children’s Home – Torrington, WY Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: $2,500
    - Camp Scott – 10 campers: $1,250
    - Lincoln Heights Elementary- Turf Project *from Seacrest: $5,000
    - West Nebraska Arts Center – New Carpet/Paint in Gallery: $5,000
    - Bridgeport Friends of the Library- Renovation: $2,500
    - Regional West Foundation – Campaign for Continuing Excellence: $15,000
    - Cirrus House, Inc. – Purchase of Current Building: $11,900
    - Mitchell United Methodist Church – New Lift and Restroom Renovation: $2,000

  • 2012

    Total: $506,660
    - Riverside Discovery Center – Building Fund: $5,000
    - The Nature Conservancy – Restoration Project: $5,000
    - Ducks Unlimited, Inc. – Tottenhoff Property: $5,000
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater – LED Color Marquee: $5,000
    - CAPWN – Youth Shelter: $5,000
    - NPV/Farm & Ranch Museum – Building Fund: $15,000
    - Bone Marrow Donor Fund: $1,000
    - Kimball Hospital Foundation – LifePaks: $2,000
    - The Carpenter Center – Ball Field Lighting: $2,500
    - Nebraska Mission of Mercy – Dental Care: $1,500
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater – Digital System: $5,000
    - Kids First Preschool – Playground Equipment: $2,000
    - Interchurch Ministries of NE – Survivor Families Retreat: $2,329
    - Bayard Public Schools – Track Project: $2,500

  • 2011

    Total: $447,831
    - Riverside Discovery Center: $5,000
    - The Nature Conservancy: $5,000
    - Scotts Bluff National Monument – 95th Anniversary: $400
    - SSHS Booster Club – Tennis Court Renovation: $5,000
    - West Nebraska Arts Center – Renovation of Building: $3,660
    - Ducks Unlimited, Inc. – Tottenhoff Property: $5,000
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater – LED Color Marquee: $5,000

  • 2010

    Total: $418,771
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater: $4,000
    - Riverside Discovery Center: $5,000
    - The Nature Conservancy: $5,000
    - The Carpenter Center – Football Equipment: $500
    - University of Nebraska Extension Center – Centennial Book: $1,000
    - Theatre West Summer Repertory – Digital Microphones: $3,600
    - Bridges to Learning Program – Computer Lab Equipment: $500
    - CAPstone – Remodel of Building: $5,000

Our Impact - 2022

  • Funds Managed by OTCF

    83

  • Community Grants Awarded

    $111,312

  • Scholarships Awarded

    $93,250

  • Net Assets

    $10859291

© 2023 Oregon Trail Community Foundation
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