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PO Box 1344
Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361
Phone (308) 635-3393
Contact

What We Do

Grantmaking

2025 Grants Awarded

308 United Softball  
  Improvements to softball fields, bleacher areas and batting cages at Scottsbluff High School    $25,000

Community Christian Childcare 
  5C Childcare- handwashing sink and instant water heater for infant care room.  $2,000

Omaha Conservancy of Music 
  Program costs for String Sprouts in Western NE $5,000

Post Playhouse 
  Replace aging microphones and box office equipment $3,000

Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Center  
  To purchase 10 new 48-qt coolers for Meals on Wheels $1,182

 

2024 - Grant Amount Awarded: $138,860

  • West Nebraska Art Center / Repair of West end stairs / Awarded $2,500
  • West Nebraska Pioneers / Purchase of maintenance equipment for ballfield / Awarded $2,500
  • AIM Institute / Purchase of equipment for students / Awarded $4,000
  • Hemingford Community Foundation / Playground equipment / Awarded $20,000
  • Scotts Bluff County Robotics / Purchase of classroom equipment and storage / Awarded $12,722
  • Riverside Discovery Center / Large Cat Exhibit - Awarded $15,000
  • Omaha Conservancy of Music - String Sprouts / Sponsorship of Strings Scottsbluff/Gering concert - Awarded $5,000
  • Scottsbluff Schools Foundation / Update Scottsbluff High School auditorium - Awarded $25,000
  • Village of Potter / 1917 Theatre and Community Civic Center / Renovation of the historic theater - Awarded $5,000
  • Potter's Wheel Ministries / Renovate two apartments for transitional housing - Awarded $5,000
  • Community Christian / Purchase of electric piano for music dept. - Awarded $1,048
  • Post Playhouse / Improvements of technical infrastructure of historic building - Awarded $10,000
  • Hope Radio / Replacement of aging transmittter - Awarded $5,000
  • Guadalupe Center / Chairs for the Guadalupe Center - Awarded $3,000
  • Bayard Schools / Purchase of new stage curtains - Awarded $3,000
  • Kids First Preschool & Daycare / Resurfacing of two existing playground areas - Awarded $5,000
  • FarWide Conservation Trust / Completion of Ninemile Creek Restoration Project in Scotts Bluff County - Awarded $5,000 from Seacrest Fund
  • The DOVES Program / For conference tables and chairs - Awarded $15,090

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 

  • Requesting organizations must be tax-exempt, as defined by the IRS in Section 501(c) (3), or eligible to receive such a designation, or a public entity such as a school or governmental institution..
  • Grants are not made to individuals
  • The Foundation does not typically make grants for deficit financing, annual fund drives or capital campaigns, or ongoing operating expenses.
  • The Foundation does not typically make grants for programming, conventions, or fundraising efforts 
  • Grants are not made to religious organizations for religious purposes.

Please refer to our GRANT APPLICATION AND REQUIREMENT POLICY before applying (see button below) 

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

Grant Deadlines:
February 1 | June 1 | October 1
 

Grants Slideshow
  • Hemingford Community Playground.jpg
  • Scotts Bluff County Robotics Club.jpg
  • SHS-Auditorium renovation.png
  • Post Playhouse Tech upgrade.jpg
  • Farwide Conservation Project.jpeg
  • 11 13 Ministries
  • Riverside Discovery Center Bear Exhibit
  • String Sprouts.png
  • NE State Historical Society "Walk to the Rock"
  • Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Ctr/Meals on Wheels
  • Hemingford Legion Post #9
  • Sunrise Historic and Prehistoric Preservation Society
  • 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
  • Carpenter Center - Equipment Upgrade
  • Bayard Schools Greenhouse
  • 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
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Past Grants

  • 2023

    2023
    Total Granted to Community: $101,800

    - Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Center / Meals on Wheels - for resusable canvas bags to deliver food and essentials for the Meals on Wheels and Snow Angels program.
    - The Carpenter Center - $7,100 - for equipment for the new Carpenter Center After School Program
    - Creative Beet District - $1,000 - for artistic mural in the Creative Art District in Scottsbluff
    - Foster Care Closet - $2500 - to purchase cold weather clothing for those in the Foster care program in Scottsbluff/ Gering
    - West Nebraska Art Center - $3,000 - to upgrade Main Gallery lighting fixture from flourscents to LED
    - Friends of the Goodhand Theater, Kimball, NE - $3,500 - to support in helping purchase the new red and black leather rocking chairs that were installed in June 2023 at the Goodhand Theatre in Kimball Nebraska
    - 11 13 Ministries - $6,700 - to purchase 12,800 sealable containers and commercial, high-capacity roasting pans for our “By God’s Grace Mobile Meals” program in 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

    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

    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

Our Impact - 2023

  • Funds Managed by OTCF

    83

  • Community Grants Awarded

    $111,312

  • Scholarships Awarded

    $93,250

  • Net Assets

    $11,575,643

Oregon Trail Community Foundation
PO Box 1344
Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361
Phone (308) 635-3393
Contact
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