Nov. 13, 2023
CFO one of more than 900 community foundations across U.S.
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is joining the nationwide celebration for the week of Nov. 12, 2023, to recognize the increasingly important role of community foundations to enhance the quality of life for residents by addressing high-priority projects and issues.
For more than a century, philanthropic institutions have served as a trusted partner and resource for the residents and communities that benefit from their mission-driven work. This annual Community Foundation Week offers the opportunity to share and reflect on the impact of our recent work.
The CFO, with its 54-strong affiliate network across central and southern Missouri, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Since its founding in 1973, the CFO has contributed more than a half-billion dollars back to the community and holds assets of $427 million as of June 30.
A few recent examples of the CFO’s leadership work include:
- Recent partnerships with the Children’s Trust Fund and Delta Dental to distribute $800,000 across the region to improve the lives of children.
- Publication of the updated Community Focus Report for Springfield & Greene County that drives consensus on red flags and blue ribbons to guide community decision-makers, grantmakers and nonprofits.
- A $100,000 challenge grant that raised $250,000 for 10 regional nonprofits to build endowed “forever funds” to support their services.
- Nearly $1 million in “Let’s Get to Work” grants made to help employees, job seekers and local companies reduce transportation issues as a barrier to employment.
“The CFO practices place-based philanthropy every day by understanding the challenges and opportunities specific to their communities,” CFO President Brian Fogle said. “We look forward to the next 50 years of collaboration with our donors, affiliate foundations and nonprofit partners to help our communities thrive.”
Community foundations, which work with institutional and individual donors to provide grantmaking and other resources to local nonprofits, schools, churches and other IRS-recognized organizations, represent one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy.
Community Foundation Week was created in 1989 by former president George H.W. Bush to recognize the work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative approach to working with the public, private and nonprofit sectors to address community problems.
