The Graff Charitable Foundation focuses on strengthening community infrastructure in and around McCook, Nebraska, with large investments in local youth and recreation facilities alongside targeted support for regional arts and community philanthropy. Their giving emphasizes capital investment and catalytic matching dollars that unlock broader community fundraising, while also funding arts programming that serves the local population.
The Graff Charitable Foundation Inc CO P Mark Graff is defined by its repeated support for McCook-area civic infrastructure, especially a pair of $125,000 capital campaign commitments to YMCA of McCook in 2024 and 2025. That pattern sits alongside smaller but persistent gifts for local arts, community fundraising, and basic-needs organizations. The foundation’s recent giving shows a mix of large project support and many modest grants, with the bigger checks used to back facilities and campaign goals while smaller awards reach schools, churches, pantry work, and arts programming. Across the recent grants list, the foundation also backed 6th Floor Project with multiple arts-program grants, including $65,000 in 2024 and $30,000 in 2025, and it made a series of matching grants through Nebraska Community Foundation tied to the Big Give. Those awards point to a funder that often supports local institutions in ways that help them raise additional money or complete specific projects. In practice, their philanthropy centers on place-based needs in and around McCook rather than a broad statewide or national portfolio.
Capital and facility support is a clear thread in the foundation’s giving. YMCA of McCook received $125,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for capital campaign commitments, and Community Hospital Health Foundation received $20,000 in 2023 for pickle ball courts. The foundation has also funded school and campus-related projects, including $15,000 to McCook Public Schools for the MHS tennis program and $10,000 to McCook College Foundation for MCC East Campus. Arts programming is another recurring area. 6th Floor Project received $65,000 in 2024, $30,000 in 2025, and $13,000 in 2025 for art programs. Community philanthropy appears through matching grants as well: Nebraska Community Foundation received $60,000 in 2025, $50,000 in 2024, and $35,000 in 2023 for Big Give match support. Basic-needs and community support also show up through awards to McCook Pantry Inc, McCook Community Kitchen, and St Patrick's Catholic Church.
Typical grant size is modest, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $2,000, and a p75 of $5,000. The recent grants list also shows a small number of much larger awards, especially for capital campaigns and matching funds. The same recipients appear across multiple years, including YMCA of McCook, 6th Floor Project, Nebraska Community Foundation, St Patrick's Catholic Church, and McCook Pantry Inc, which suggests recurring relationships rather than one-time giving. The foundation is a private charitable foundation, and it also funds individuals.
$486K
$9.7M
$430K
$514K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Concentrated, high-impact gifts: a small number of fairly large grants with repeat funding to a primary local institution (YMCA), plus one-time gifts that catalyze broader community support (matching grants) and targeted arts grants.
Notable grantees: YMCA of McCook, 6th Floor Project, Nebraska Community Foundation
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Nebraska, with 82% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. McCook is the main recipient city in the recent grants list, appearing on awards to YMCA of McCook, 6th Floor Project, McCook Pantry Inc, and McCook Community Kitchen. Lincoln appears as well through Nebraska Community Foundation grants. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 226 grants going to U.S. recipients.
The recent grants list centers on local civic and community institutions: YMCA of McCook for capital campaign commitments, 6th Floor Project for art programs, Nebraska Community Foundation for Big Give match support, and McCook Pantry Inc for families in need. Schools, churches, and community service organizations also appear repeatedly.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is small on average: p25 is $1,000, median grant size is $2,000, and p75 is $5,000. Larger awards do occur, especially for capital projects and matching campaigns.
Yes. Several recipients appear across more than one year, including YMCA of McCook, 6th Floor Project, Nebraska Community Foundation, St Patrick's Catholic Church, and McCook Pantry Inc. That pattern suggests recurring relationships rather than isolated grants.
Its giving is local and concentrated in Nebraska. The top state by grant count is NE, and 82% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. McCook is the most common recipient city in the recent grants list.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, in addition to organizations and institutions.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YMCA OF MCCOOK | MCCOOK, NE | $125,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMITTMENT |
| CITY OF MCCOOK | MCCOOK, NE | $75,000 | 2026 | BALLPARK |
| NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | MCCOOK, NE | $65,000 | 2026 | BIG GIVE MATCH |
| 6TH FLOOR PROJECT | MCCOOK, NE | $50,800 | 2026 | ART PROGRAMS |
| ST PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH | MCCOOK, NE | $22,000 | 2026 | STAFF BONUSES |
| MCCOOK COLLEGE FOUNDATION | MCCOOK, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | MCC EAST CAMPUS |
| MCCOOK PANTRY INC | MCCOOK, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | FAMILIES IN NEED |
| CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES | LINCOLN, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEBRASKA PUBLIC MEDIA FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PRAIRIE PLAINS CASA | MCCOOK, NE | $7,700 | 2026 | YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| ST PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH | MCCOOK, NE | $7,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| YMCA OF MCCOOK | MCCOOK, NE | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHASE COUNTY AREA ARTS COUNCIL | IMPERIAL, NE | $6,000 | 2026 | ART PROGRAMS |
| HASTINGS FAMILY YMCA | HASTINGS, NE | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MCCOOK ARTS COUNCIL | MCCOOK, NE | $5,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY CONCERTS |
| MCCOOK COMMUNITY KITCHEN | MCCOOK, NE | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST PATRICK'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MCCOOK, NE | $5,000 | 2026 | CEMETERY MAINTENANCE |
| ST PATRICK'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MCCOOK, NE | $3,000 | 2026 | GIFT GALA DONATION |
| MY BRIDGE RADIO | LINCOLN, NE | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HCS FAMILY SERVICES | HINSDALE, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | FAMILIES IN NEED |
| MCC INDIANS BOOSTERS INC | MCCOOK, NE | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY HOSPITAL HEALTH FOUNDATION | MCCOOK, NE | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MCCOOK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUND | MCCOOK, NE | $2,000 | 2026 | BEAUTIFY MCCOOK |
| MCCOOK HUMANE SOCIETY | MCCOOK, NE | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER | MCCOOK, NE | $2,000 | 2026 | FAMILIES IN NEED |
| HASTINGS PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION | HASTINGS, NE | $2,000 | 2026 | PLAY IT FORWARD |
| HEARTS AND HANDS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | BENKELMAN, NE | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST FRANCIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM | ST FRANCIS, KS | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH | ST FRANCIS, KS | $1,500 | 2026 | CEMETERY MAINTENANCE |
| CASA OF SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA | HASTINGS, NE | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH | STORM LAKE, IA | $1,500 | 2026 | CEMETERY MAINTENANCE |
| HASTINGS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HASTINGS, NE | $1,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY PROGRAM |
| DONIPHAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | DONIPHAN, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TRUMBULL GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH | TRUMBULL, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BURLINGTON AREA SENIOR CITIZENS INC | BURLINGTON, CO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DYNAMIC DIMENSIONS INC | BURLINGTON, CO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PLAYERS PHILANTHROPY FUND INC | TOWSON, MD | $1,000 | 2026 | ART PROGRAMS |
| MCCOOK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUND | MCCOOK, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OUR HOMETOWN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | BURLINGTON, CO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST ANN'S CHURCH - DONIPHAN | DONIPHAN, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| STRATTON AMBULANCE & FIRE DISTRICT | STRATTON, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PRAIRIE FAMILY CENTER | BURLINGTON, CO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL | PINE RIDGE, SD | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST JOSEPH'S INDIAN SCHOOL | CHAMBERLAIN, SD | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NORRIS INSTITUTE | MCCOOK, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BURLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | BURLINGTON, CO | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ST LABRE INDIAN SCHOOL | ASHLAND, MT | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HIGH PLAINS HISTORICAL SOCIETY | MCCOOK, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $1,000 | 2026 | LOCAL FOUNDATION |
| ST FRANCIS MISSION FOUNDATION | ST FRANCIS, SD | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
YMCA OF MCCOOK
$125,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMITTMENT
CITY OF MCCOOK
$75,000BALLPARK
NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$65,000BIG GIVE MATCH
6TH FLOOR PROJECT
$50,800ART PROGRAMS
ST PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
$22,000STAFF BONUSES
MCCOOK COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$10,000MCC EAST CAMPUS
MCCOOK PANTRY INC
FAMILIES IN NEED
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PRAIRIE PLAINS CASA
$7,700YOUTH PROGRAMS
ST PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
$7,500SCHOLARSHIPS
YMCA OF MCCOOK
$6,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CHASE COUNTY AREA ARTS COUNCIL
$6,000ART PROGRAMS
HASTINGS FAMILY YMCA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MCCOOK ARTS COUNCIL
$5,000COMMUNITY CONCERTS
MCCOOK COMMUNITY KITCHEN
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST PATRICK'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$5,000CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
ST PATRICK'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$3,000GIFT GALA DONATION
MY BRIDGE RADIO
$3,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MCC INDIANS BOOSTERS INC
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
MCCOOK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUND
$2,000BEAUTIFY MCCOOK
MCCOOK HUMANE SOCIETY
$2,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
$2,000FAMILIES IN NEED
HASTINGS PUBLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$2,000PLAY IT FORWARD
HEARTS AND HANDS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST FRANCIS MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM
$2,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
$1,500CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
CASA OF SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA
$1,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
$1,500CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
DONIPHAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
TRUMBULL GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BURLINGTON AREA SENIOR CITIZENS INC
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
DYNAMIC DIMENSIONS INC
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MCCOOK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUND
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
OUR HOMETOWN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST ANN'S CHURCH - DONIPHAN
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
STRATTON AMBULANCE & FIRE DISTRICT
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
PRAIRIE FAMILY CENTER
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST JOSEPH'S INDIAN SCHOOL
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
NORRIS INSTITUTE
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BURLINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST LABRE INDIAN SCHOOL
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HIGH PLAINS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ST FRANCIS MISSION FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATIONS