STEP Foundation Fall Grants “Think Outside the Box” Across Nemaha County

The Nemaha County STEP Foundation is continuing its 2026 theme, “Think Outside the Box,” with $28,000 in fall grants to eight local projects. The grants were recommended by the Foundation’s grant review committee and approved by its board of directors. The grants will support schools, libraries, health care, and community organizations across Nemaha County, and help provide coats, clothing, and everyday essentials for children in need.

“One of the things that stood out to me during this grant cycle was the wide variety of projects the STEP Foundation is helping fund, from a school greenhouse to a new library circulation desk,” said Tami Mars, chair of the STEP Foundation grant review committee.

In Bern, the Bern Community Support Foundation will receive $7,250 for a fireworks firing system. The foundation sponsors a large fireworks display and fun run each Fourth of July that draws thousands of spectators from the surrounding area. This project will make the Bern Fourth of July Celebration safer for the community members who volunteer their time to produce the annual fireworks show. The General Endowment Fund awarded $4,000, with an additional $3,250 from the Hecht Family Fund.

Centralia Schools (Vermillion USD 380) will receive two separate grants of $3,000 each from the General Endowment Fund. One will be used for a greenhouse project. The planned 18-foot by 30-foot structure will provide adequate space for class instruction, student workstations, and integrated growing systems, including hydroponic and Dutch bucket systems. The school is in need of an updated audiometer, and the other grant will be used to purchase one. An audiometer is a specialized electronic device used to measure hearing sensitivity and evaluate hearing loss. It produces pure tones or speech at various frequencies (pitches) and intensities (loudness) to determine the softest sounds a person can hear, often creating a chart called an audiogram to identify hearing issues.

Nemaha County Community Health Services will receive $1,500 for its Little Nest Family Resource Bank. The grant will help expand its diaper bank to include hygiene and baby care supplies and will also keep diapers and wipes in stock. Funds will purchase items such as baby soap, lotion, and diaper rash cream, along with postpartum supplies, soap, shampoo, and deodorant for parents. These items are frequently requested but are currently available only when donated. The grant includes $750 from the General Endowment Fund and $750 from the Chad Baker Memorial Fund.

Sabetha Community Hospital will receive $2,250 from the General Endowment Fund for its AED Readiness Project. Placing AEDs in the hospital’s therapy departments will close a critical safety gap by keeping life-saving technology within reach. The project will strengthen patient safety and emergency preparedness, and provide peace of mind to the patients and families who rely on the hospital’s care.

In Wetmore, the Wetmore Public Library will receive $2,000 from the General Endowment Fund for a new circulation desk. The wrap-around desk will replace the library’s outdated front desk and add built-in cabinets and drawers to ease a serious lack of storage. With new countertops and a lower section of the desk, children will easily be able to see, making the library more welcoming for young readers.

The CNB Underprivileged Children Fund is helping local children with the everyday essentials that they need.

• Kids Kloset will receive $5,000 for clothing, shoes, toiletries, hygiene products, and school supplies.
• Nemaha Central School will receive $4,000 for coats, hats, gloves, backpacks, and other items.

The STEP Foundation extends its gratitude to the donors who make these grants possible and congratulates all recipients. Thank you to everyone who applied and thought outside the box this year. Grants are awarded twice each year, and the next grant deadline will be January 15, 2027. The online grant application is available at www.nemahastep.org.