January 26, 2026 (Norfolk, Nebraska) – The Jim B. and Lillian F. Cooper Foundation and Midwest Bank proudly announce the 2025 grant recipients. These grants were awarded to organizations dedicated to making a difference in the communities that Midwest Bank serves. Midwest Bank has branches in Creighton, Deshler, Lincoln, Norfolk, Pierce, Pilger, Plainview, Wisner, and York. The grants help to provide funding to organizations that support health, education, and recreation in their communities. The following grants were awarded in 2025.
Creighton: The Creighton Ambulance Service received $1,860 for radios. Also, in Creighton, Creighton Community Schools were awarded $2,140 for the elementary basketball court and for digital lab equipment.
Deshler: In Deshler, Thayer County Health Services received $1,000 to support clinic upgrades, Park Haven Nursing Home was awarded $1,000 for a spa update, and Deshler Public Schools received $2,000 for an electric car program.
Lincoln: Lincoln High School received a $2,700 donation for aluminum welding stations. Also in Lincoln, Belmont Community Center received $800 toward an Active Engagement Night, and the Food Fort received $1,000 for the Food Fort Site Planning.
Norfolk: In Norfolk, The Zone Afterschool Program received $500 to support small group projects and outings. Norfolk Catholic Elementary received $500 towards their playground. Also in Norfolk, St. Paul’s Lutheran School received $500 for their gym sound system, Norfolk Area Children’s Collaborative was gifted $500 for their capital campaign, Building Blocks for Community Enrichment received $1,000 for the Hope & Healing Project, Northern Hills Child Care received $500 for books and supplies, and Faith Regional Health Services was awarded $500 for cancer patient supplies.
Pierce: The Pierce Volunteer Fire Department received $1,700 for Guardian Angel Lights, and Pierce Public Schools received $1,295 for a trumpet for the band department. Also in Pierce, the Pierce 4-H Council was awarded $500 for display cases, and the Lied Pierce Public Library was given $400 for Daycare Outreach Totes.
Pilger/Wisner: In Pilger, the Pilger Senior Center received $1,000 for weights and yoga equipment, and the Pilger Fire Department was awarded $1,500 for updated equipment and training. In Wisner, the Wisner Volunteer Fire Department received $1,500 to help update gear.
Plainview: Plainview Ball Backers received a $1,000 gift for a pitching machine. Plainview Public Schools was awarded $480 for a speech team scanner. Also in Plainview, the Plainview Fire and Rescue received $1,000 for the Jaws of Life, Plainview Public Library received $520 for Steam Fun Botley, and Plainview Public Schools were awarded $1,000 for weight-training equipment.
York: In York, the Kilgore Memorial Library was awarded $1,000 for afterschool programming, York Parks and Recreation received $1,500 for a pool shade, and CASA of York received $1,500 for training.
About the Jim B. and Lillian F. Cooper Foundation
The Jim B. and Lillian F. Cooper Foundation was established in 1997 to support the Cooper family’s spirit of giving and strong tradition of supporting local communities. The Cooper family has always believed in the responsibility of corporate citizens to give back to the communities they serve. Over the years, the Jim B. and Lillian F. Cooper Foundation has given more than $1 million to local organizations. For more information about the foundation, visit www.jimandlilcooperfoundation.org
