HISTORY
The desire to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Sherman County has always been the driving force behind the inception of the Sherman County Community Foundation. Its founders, a group of progressive-minded citizens, developed a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that would allow individuals, families, and entities to entrust donations with it for the betterment of Sherman County communities. Articles of incorporation were filed, and in 1990, the Sherman County Community Foundation became a reality. The founders responsible for this achievement were Vene Bacus, Roman Badura, Mark Eurek, Dick Harrington, Mike King, Betty Landon, Lucille Miche, Rich Peters, Albert Ritz, Frank Ryan, and Norman E. Stephens.
The purpose of the Foundation was to encourage, receive, and administer contributions and gifts for the benefit of the Sherman County area. Funds invested with the Foundation became a resource pool to help address needs in the communities, including civic, cultural, health-related, recreational, and educational needs. The Foundation served as a cultivator and steward of funds that over 30 years, grew to $2 million. Its first grant awarded in 1991 for $100 to the Loup City Chamber of Commerce for purchase of signage compares to a $100,000 grant awarded in 2023 for development of a licensed child care center in Loup City.
In 2019, after years of a 12-member volunteer board of directors tending to the daily operations of the Foundation, a part-time executive director was hired and an office was rented in the Carnegie Business Center (the former city library) at 652 N Street in Loup City.