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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

  • 2009

    Total $394,171
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater: $4,000
    - Scotts Bluff Public Library: $10,000
    - North Platte Valley Historical Association – Display Cases Wood Collection: $3,500
    - WH Hills Paleontology – Fossil Freeway Trademark Fees: $3,000
    - Field of Dreams – Equipment: $2,500
    - Riverside Zoological Society – Splash Pad: $4,000
    - Oregon Trail Soap Box Derby, Inc. – Renovate Track: $2,000
    - Kiwanis Club – Trails of Fun Playground: $2,000
    - Gering Zion Church/Joyful Noise Daycare – Fire System: $3,500
    - Heartland Expressway – Highway Support: $1,000
    - CAPstone – High Tech Recording Equipment: $4,500

  • 2008

    Total: $354,171
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater: $4,000
    - Scotts Bluff Public Library: $10,000
    - Nebraska Mission of Mercy – Dental Care: $3,000
    - Mitchell Elementary School – Sound System: $1,500
    - UNMC College of Nursing – Computer/Projector for Health Presentations: $2,500
    - SOAR & Ft. Robinson Tree Plant – Banners: $430
    - Goshen County Library Foundation – Endowment: $3,000
    - Noah’s Ark Kid Care – Playground Equipment: $1,000
    - Melbeta Park – Playground Surfacing: $5,000

  • 2007

    Total: $323,741
    - Wildcat Hills Paleontology – Paintings: $5,000
    - Guadalupe Center – Remodel of Kitchen: $3,000
    - National Park Service/Scotts Bluff National Monument – Henry Jackson Room: $1,000
    - Potter’s Wheel, Inc. – Window Replacement: $2,600
    - Summit Christian College – Building Purchase: $5,000
    - Bayard Chimney Rock Museum – Tourist Sign: $1,000
    - Western Nebraska Veterans Home – Re-seal Pond: $1,500
    - Scotts Bluff Public Library: $10,000
    - Saddle Club – Replace Bleachers: $2,000
    - Friends of the Midwest Theater: $4,000
    - National Park Service/Scotts Bluff National Monument – Historic Postcards: $1,497

  • 2006

    Total: $287,144
    - St. Agnes Catholic School – Playground Equipment $2,000
    - Theatre West Summer Repertory: $7,150
    - Scottsbluff-Gering Chamber – Green is Good for Business: $5,000
    - Potter’s Wheel, Inc.: $1,500
    - Friends of Midwest Theater: $4,000
    - Scottsbluff Booster Club – Scoreboard at SSHS Stadium: $3,000

  • 2005

    Total: $264,494
    - Nebraska Children’s Home:
    - $5,000 Platte River Basin Environments, Inc.
    - Bead Mountain Ranch:
    - $5,000 Friends of the Midwest Theater:
    - $10,000 Riverside Soccer Association: $10,000

  • 2004

    Total $2234,494
    - University of Nebraska Foundation – Feedlot Expansion
    - $5,000 Scottsbluff Firefighter’s Local 1454 – Honor Guard Uniform
    - $500 Riverside Soccer Association
    - $2,500 Western Nebraska Community College – CBIT Center Renovation
    - $8,500 Friends of the Midwest Theater: $3,500

  • 2003

    Total $214,494
    - North Platte Valley Museum
    - $2,500 Mitchell Foundation for Academic Excellence – Baby Grand Piano
    - $1,500 Guadalupe Center
    - $2,500 Roosevelt Elementary School – School Sign
    - $500 Scottsbluff Booster Club – Sound System
    - $5,000 Friends of the Midwest Theater: $ 4,000 2003

  • 2002

    Total $198,494
    - Scotts Bluff Swim Club
    - $1,500 North Platte Valley Museum
    - $5,500 Friends of the Midwest Theater
    - $6,000 Scottsbluff-Gering Chamber of Commerce – Caminos Crusados
    - $1,000 Oregon Trail Days

  • 2001

    Total $182,994
    - Mitchell Community Lighting Project $1,500
    - Platte Valley Camp Fire Boys/Girls – Camp Norwesca $1000
    - Scottsbluff Booster Club $3,000
    - Theatre West Summer Repertory $3,500
    - Farm and Ranch Museum $4,000
    - Oregon Trail Days $1,960
    - Scottsbluff-Gering Chamber of Commerce – Caminos Crusados $1,200

  • 2000

    Total $167,034
    - American Lung Association: $900
    - Monument Valley Pathways, Inc.: $3,000
    - St. Joseph’s Children’s Home – Torrington, WY: $4,000
    - Goshen County Senior Friendship Center – Torrington, WY: $2,000

  • 1999

    Total: $157,134
    - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: $2,065
    - Hunts Acres Community Recreation Center: $2,500
    - Guiding Star Girl Scout Council: $1,000
    - Guadalupe Center: $2,500
    - Theatre West Summer Repertory: $ 4,600

  • 1998

    Total: $144,469
    - West Nebraska Arts Center: $2,000
    - Goshen County Senior Friendship Center – Torrington, WY: $2,000
    - Cirrus House: $500

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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