Dec. 6, 2023
Grants support both Springfield and regional projects
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks awarded $120,000 today to seven nonprofits whose missions work to improve the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented populations.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grants were presented at the Fairbanks community center in Springfield with representatives from each nonprofit sharing how the grants will be used.
Recipients of the CFO’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grants gathered on Dec. 6 at the Fairbanks community center in Springfield.
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks awarded $120,000 today to seven nonprofits whose missions work to improve the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented populations.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grants were presented at the Fairbanks community center in Springfield with representatives from each nonprofit sharing how the grants will be used.
The grants were awarded to the following organizations:
- American Indian Center of Springfield: $21,000 to support a full-time staff position and development of in-depth, Native American-friendly curriculum.
- Imagine Technical Institute: $25,000 to support a vocational training program for individuals with disabilities in the Springfield/Branson area.
- Lincoln School Project: $16,000 to support the renovation of the historic Lincoln School, a segregation-era one-room schoolhouse in West Plains.
- Missouri State University: $20,000 for the Newcomer Family Welcome Program to support refugees and other newcomers to Springfield through quality English language instruction and advocacy for language and cultural diversity.
- Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence: $6,000 to support diversity, equity and inclusion education for its staff, board, volunteers and community partners.
- Ujima Language and Literacy: $24,000 to support a joint initiative with the Bartley-Decatur Neighborhood Center in Springfield to provide parental and community advocacy training.
- Unity of Springfield: $8,000 to support an inclusive crisis cold weather shelter.
“These projects illustrate and celebrate the diversity of central and southern Missouri,” said Bridget Dierks, vice president of programs for the CFO. “We’re grateful that these agencies are developing innovative solutions to include more people in our communities.”
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grants are funded by the CFO’s unrestricted assets and field-of-interest funds that support a broad area of interest. The grant committee comprises Virginia Bailey, Heather Hardinger, Denise Lofton, Kathy Munzinger, Daniel Ogunyemi, Ana Ortiz, Summer Trottier and Brooke Widmar.
Related grant opportunity
The Inclusion & Belonging Grant Program supports smaller grant requests for projects that encourage diverse representation in community conversations, engagement and leadership across the region. About $34,000 remains available for requests of up to $3,000. Nonprofits can apply at cfozarks.org/applyforgrants. The program is open throughout the year, with grants awarded on a rolling basis as funds are available.
