Cather Foundation's funds reach $1.1 million
It’s a big sum of money for such a little organization. The Willa Cather Foundation in Red Cloud — pop. 1,131 — announced recently it had reached its goal of raising $825,000 to enhance its facilities and boost educational outreach.
With that sum, the National Endowment for the Humanities has promised an additional $275,000 grant, bringing the foundation’s total fund to $1.1 million.
“Everyone is so excited. And relieved,” said Betty Kort, Cather Foundation executive director. “We’ve been working on this a long time.”
Interest from the endowment will help the foundation maintain the Red Cloud Opera House, which was restored and re-opened in 2003, Kort said. The money also will be used to hire a part-time archivist to help organize the collections of Willa Cather, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer who grew up in Red Cloud.
Some of Cather’s descendents made big donations to the endowment. In June, James and Angela Southwick of Utah made a $50,000 contribution; they’ve also donated clothing and jewelry owned by Cather. James Southwick is the son of Helen Cather Southwick, niece of Willa Cather.
Shortly thereafter, Jim and Trish Schreiber of California donated $50,000. Trish Schreiber is the granddaughter of Willa Cather’s brother Roscoe.
Finally, an anonymous donor pitched in $100,000.
And numerous small donations have poured in, Kort said, without which the lofty goal never would have been reached.
It’s rare for the National Endowment for the Humanities to help out such small organizations, Kort said, but she’s glad they took a chance on hers.
“They were not sure we could do this, but they kept an open mind,” she said. “This money won’t go unused.”
Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.
With that sum, the National Endowment for the Humanities has promised an additional $275,000 grant, bringing the foundation’s total fund to $1.1 million.
“Everyone is so excited. And relieved,” said Betty Kort, Cather Foundation executive director. “We’ve been working on this a long time.”
Interest from the endowment will help the foundation maintain the Red Cloud Opera House, which was restored and re-opened in 2003, Kort said. The money also will be used to hire a part-time archivist to help organize the collections of Willa Cather, the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer who grew up in Red Cloud.
Some of Cather’s descendents made big donations to the endowment. In June, James and Angela Southwick of Utah made a $50,000 contribution; they’ve also donated clothing and jewelry owned by Cather. James Southwick is the son of Helen Cather Southwick, niece of Willa Cather.
Shortly thereafter, Jim and Trish Schreiber of California donated $50,000. Trish Schreiber is the granddaughter of Willa Cather’s brother Roscoe.
Finally, an anonymous donor pitched in $100,000.
And numerous small donations have poured in, Kort said, without which the lofty goal never would have been reached.
It’s rare for the National Endowment for the Humanities to help out such small organizations, Kort said, but she’s glad they took a chance on hers.
“They were not sure we could do this, but they kept an open mind,” she said. “This money won’t go unused.”
Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.
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