A Cody attorney is continuing a legacy by supporting nonprofit projects across the state through service on the Wyoming Community Foundation board.
Steven Cranfill, a former Park County judge, was recently named chair of WYCF’s statewide board. He credited the late Charles Kepler of Cody, another attorney who sat on the board, for inspiring him to serve and also for securing perpetual funding for the foundation’s staff.
“It was a great experience for him,” Cranfill said about Kepler’s time with the foundation. That positive experienced led him to accept a board position four years ago.
Kepler also served on the Stock Foundation that provided an endowment to finance the foundation’s staff, “so any contributions go directly to nonprofit projects throughout the state,” Cranfill said.
“I am very honored to serve on the board of the Wyoming Community Foundation, let alone the great honor as serving as chairman,” he said. “I look forward to meeting our (six) local boards around the state as well as our donors and supporters.”
“It’s a worthwhile effort,” Cranfill added, “and it’s a no-drama board with no agendas.”
The foundation has about $200 million in investments, and awards about $8 million per year to projects around the state. The foundation’s aim is to help people through a wide variety of grants to recipients such as after-school programs, food banks, single moms and projects that promote arts and culture, he said.
At a recent quarterly meeting in Evanston, Cranfill said the board learned about the local, independent Boys and Girls Club. In four years, it has helped about 90 high school students, who were close to dropping out, finish and graduate.
The foundation assisted the club with building a gym with a cooking facility and offering after-school programs, Cranfill said. It also provided a food truck that the club uses to sell tacos throughout the community, with the proceeds supporting the club.
“The WYCF Board of Directors brings together people with an abundance of passion and expertise to execute our mission,” said CEO and President Samin Dadelahi. “It is a delicate balance, and we are fortunate to have the skillful hands of Judge Cranfill at the helm for the next two years.
“He is the best combination of community commitment, clear governance and good humor that you can find.”
With a career spanning several decades, Cranfill is recognized as a pillar in the Wyoming legal community, a WYCF annnouncement said. He was a judge for the Fifth District Court of Park and Big Horn counties, appointed in 2006 by Gov. Dave Freudenthal. He served until his retirement in 2017.
In 2015, Cranfill was honored by the Wyoming Supreme Court with the Children’s Justice Project Golden Award in recognition of his leadership on behalf of Wyoming children and families involved in the court system.
Cranfill graduated from Weber State in 1972 and returned to Worland. He was appointed and later elected to the Worland school board at age 22. Two years later he was elected to the Wyoming House of State Representatives of Washakie County and served two 2-year terms.
In 1980, he left for Sacramento and attended the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. He worked during the day for a law firm that did governmental relations and went to class in the evening. He graduated in 1984 and in 1985 moved to Cody. He was in private practice for 21 years and then appointed to the bench. He was elected as a trustee at Northwest College and served his final two years there as chairman of the board. He served on the advisory board for the Buffalo Bill Museum and has served on the full board of trustees for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West for 21 years. He currently serves as the center’s general counsel.
Cranfill is married to Dana Taggart Cranfill, who is originally from Lovell. Together they have two daughters and four grandchildren. Their daughter Meghan passed away last year at the age of 38.
In his new role as statewide board chair, Cranfill will play a pivotal role in shaping WYCF’s strategic vision and guiding its efforts to grow philanthropy in the state.
For over 30 years WYCF has connected people who care with causes that matter to build a better Wyoming. The foundation has granted more than $100 million to charitable causes while ensuring communities have the resources to thrive in good and bad times.
To donate, set up a fund or learn more about the foundation and the organizations it supports, visit wycf.org, Facebook X (formerly Twitter) or LinkedIn.
with building a gym with a cooking facility and offering after-school programs, Cranfill said. It also provided a food truck that the club uses to sell tacos throughout the community, with the proceeds supporting the club.
“The WYCF Board of Directors brings together people with an abundance of passion and expertise to execute our mission,” said CEO and President Samin Dadelahi. “It is a delicate balance, and we are fortunate to have the skillful hands of Judge Cranfill at the helm for the next two years.
“He is the best combination of community commitment, clear governance and good humor that you can find.”
With a career spanning several decades, Cranfill is recognized as a pillar in the Wyoming legal community, a WYCF annnouncement said. He was a judge for the Fifth District Court of Park and Big Horn counties, appointed in 2006 by Gov. Dave Freudenthal. He served until his retirement in 2017.
In 2015, Cranfill was honored by the Wyoming Supreme Court with the Children’s Justice Project Golden Award in recognition of his leadership on behalf of Wyoming children and families involved in the court system.
Cranfill graduated from Weber State in 1972 and returned to Worland. He was appointed and later elected to the Worland school board at age 22. Two years later he was elected to the Wyoming House of State Representatives of Washakie County and served two 2-year terms.
In 1980, he left for Sacramento and attended the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. He worked during the day for a law firm that did governmental relations and went to class in the evening. He graduated in 1984 and in 1985 moved to Cody. He was in private practice for 21 years and then appointed to the bench. He was elected as a trustee at Northwest College and served his final two years there as chairman of the board. He served on the advisory board for the Buffalo Bill Museum and has served on the full board of trustees for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West for 21 years. He currently serves as the center’s general counsel.
Cranfill is married to Dana Taggart Cranfill, who is originally from Lovell. Together they have two daughters and four grandchildren. Their daughter Meghan passed away last year at the age of 38.
In his new role as statewide board chair, Cranfill will play a pivotal role in shaping WYCF’s strategic vision and guiding its efforts to grow philanthropy in the state.
For over 30 years WYCF has connected people who care with causes that matter to build a better Wyoming. The foundation has granted more than $100 million to charitable causes while ensuring communities have the resources to thrive in good and bad times.
To donate, set up a fund or learn more about the foundation and the organizations it supports, visit wycf.org, Facebook X (formerly Twitter) or LinkedIn.
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