In December 2022, the Cooper Foundation awarded a grant of $20,000 to Nebraska Big Red Satellite toward the design, build, and launch of a satellite into space for the study of solar energy. The project is almost in the history books. The last step is a final report to NASA that is awaiting the release of final data. Nebraska junior high and high school students, working with NASA and UNL faculty and students, built a small cube satellite that was launched into space to test solar panel materials. The project is the focus of a segment of "WHAT IF" on Nebraska Public Media News. Here’s where the story about BigRedSat lives on, the “What If…” website and YouTube: https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/series-media/what-if-video/standalone-video-16501/student-satellite-50026670/ https://youtu.be/If0781LjPGU?si=YQwcxLcnTA7SSb4R #WhatIfNebraska (fb)

The White Cane Foundation (WCF) received a $10,000 Cooper grant for general operating to expand free clothing distribution services to all 18 Title I elementary schools in Lincoln. WCF provides Bundle of Joy packages which include brand-new clothing, shoes, hygiene kits, and coats. The Foundation works with a team of volunteers and school liaisons to inventory, coordinate, pack, and deliver packages within the schools. This past 2023-2024 school year, WCF distributed 1,525 packages providing over 3,000 new outfits. Learn more at, https://thewhitecanefoundation.org/ (fb)