Community Foundation of the Ozarks

CLOSING SOON ??The Springfield Youth Empowerment Project's grant program closes for applications Tuesday, Dec. 3. This program aims to support Springfield programs and organizations that serve youth and promote their involvement in community service. A total of $10,000 is available. Considered projects would meet the following criteria: ? Project proposal requests should not exceed $5,000.00. ? Project outcomes should benefit youth organizations or programs. ? Grants should be developed as much as is reasonably possible by the youth organization, class or group making the request. Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/g2Fc9ktM.

We'll always be grateful to be part of such a giving community. To our donors, nonprofit partners, affiliate community foundations, professional advisors and all who work to enhance the quality of life for all residents in our region, Thank You ?? ?? Please note these changes to our regular hours this week: ?? Today — offices close at 4 p.m. ?? Thursday, Nov. 28 — offices closed ?? Friday, Nov. 29 — offices closed We will reopen for normal business hours Monday, Dec. 2. Have a safe and warm holiday!

? ??♀?On Nov. 20, the CFO took a symbolic step toward its future by hosting a “wallbreaking” ceremony at its soon-to-be permanent home at 300 S. Jefferson Ave. in downtown Springfield. Donning hard hats and hammers, past and present members of CFO's board and staff celebrated the start of renovations for the new office space. CFO President and CEO Winter Kinne shared her vision for the new building. “We’re basically building a house,” she remarked, “because we don’t intend to ever move again — 300 South Jefferson is going to be our forever home.” She emphasized that the renovation and eventual move reflects the CFO’s dedication to stewardship and long-term sustainability. CFO Board Chair Anne E. McGregor concurred. “We say that a good business is more like a river than a lake; you build things so that they can withstand what comes downstream. The CFO has been built that way.” Learn more and keep up-to-date on renovation progress at https://lnkd.in/gjteB43s.

Are you ready to become a leader in philanthropy in our region? ?? The CFO is currently seeking candidates for the role of Vice President of Community Impact — a key member of the Foundation’s leadership team. This position is responsible for providing strategic leadership in the planning, implementation, administration and execution of the CFO’s grantmaking and community impact activities in alignment with our mission, vision and values. This position currently supervises the Director of Community Impact, Director of Scholarships and Community Impact Coordinator and leads the community impact department. Deadline for first consideration is Thursday, Dec. 12. The CFO offers competitive pay with generous benefits and paid time off to help our staff members successfully navigate work-life balance. This position will be based in Springfield, Missouri, with some flexibility permitted for remote work. Benefits include: ? Up to 28 days of paid time off annually, effective upon hiring; ? 10 paid holidays; ? Employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance for staff members with partial support for eligible dependents; ? Employer match of up to 5 percent of base salary for a 403(b) retirement plan; ? Employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage; ? A commitment to staff development through professional learning and networking; educational assistance and social and mental wellness activities; ? A downtown Springfield office environment with some flexibility for limited remote work. Additionally, we are still accepting applications for an Accounts Payable Specialist and a part-time Scholarships Coordinator. Learn more about all current openings and apply at https://lnkd.in/eUKWhpnV. #PhilanthropyJobs #nonprofitjobs #NonprofitLeadership

??Today, the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the CFO proudly celebrated Sheila Michaels as the 2024 Humanitarian of the Year. As the founder and director of the BookBag Program, Michaels has made a profound impact by promoting literacy and ensuring access to essential resources like food, personal hygiene items and school supplies for children and families in Christian County. This past summer, BookBag supported 400 families and distributed over 1,400 items — completely free — in the Nixa area. “No one should go without what they need,” Michaels said during the AFP’s National Philanthropy Day event in Springfield. “Most of all our kids.” Looking ahead, Michaels is working to expand the program to more communities across Missouri, continuing her mission to uplift families in need. The event also honored other outstanding Ozarks philanthropists for their service to our region: ? Rana Post – Child Health Advocate of the Year (presented by the Ozarks Health Advocacy Foundation) ? Jon Risdal – Philanthropist of the Year (accepted by Brandy Harris.) ? Abby Glenn – Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year ? CoxHealth Foundation – Philanthropic Foundation of the Year ? Volt Credit Union – Philanthropic Business of the Year ? Carl Peterson – Fundraising Rising Star of the Year ? Amy Jardell – Fundraising Professional of the Year ? Friends of the Zoo: Ball of the Wild — Fundraising Event of the Year (accepted by Allyson Tuckness, CNP, CNE.) Congratulations to Sheila Michaels and all the honorees for their inspiring efforts to make a difference in our communities! #NationalPhilanthropyDay #HumanitarianoftheYear

Hey nonprofit partners! ?? Our friends at NSC - Network for Strong Communities have announced another year of its year-long, no-cost comprehensive capacity building program for 10 organizations in the CFO’s service region. Each organization will receive a capacity assessment and a customized program that includes free consulting, training and peer mentoring. Areas addressed can include board work, fundraising, leadership development, human resources, marketing, volunteer coordination, fiscal management, evaluation, collaboration and administrative support. Applications are open now and due by Jan. 10, 2025. Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/g-58MNGG.

Good news to chase away Monday blues!??Our partner L-A-D Foundation has granted $55,000 to nine nonprofits that support the conservation of natural and cultural resources in its 12-county service area. The recipients of L-A-D Foundation’s autumn 2024 grant program are: ? Houston R-1 School District:?$10,000 to support an outdoor pavilion for students to connect with nature. ? Missouri Prairie Foundation:?$2,060 to support an educational workshop for the citizens of Doniphan on invasive plant identification and control. ? Missouri Stream Team Watershed Coalition/Stream Teams United: $5,000 to support the purchase of a vehicle dedicated to river stewardship and education efforts in the Current and Jacks Fork River watersheds. ? Ozark Riverways Foundation: $4,550 to support the purchase of raccoon-proof trash cans for Alley Spring, Chubb Hollow and Big Spring campgrounds and Waymeyer, Bay Creek and Blue Spring river accesses. ? Ozark Trail Association: $4,070 to support trail maintenance along sections of the Ozark Trail by a five-day AmeriCorps crew, and to expand and update its display materials for outreach events. ? Partnership for Youth Inc./AmeriCorps St. Louis: $9,320 to support the Current River 10-day Full-Corps Training Trip. ? Salem Area Community Betterment Association: $10,000 to support updates to its lobby and exhibit spaces. ? Shannondale United Church of Christ Congregation: $5,000 to support an 8–10-minute video and podcast series about the history of the Shannondale Forest. ? @Sherwood Forest Camp Inc.: $5,000 to support the construction of firebreaks. “This year’s grants support a fantastic blend of projects and represent L-A-D Foundation’s commitment to supporting the sustainability of the Ozarks’ natural and cultural vitality,” said Jennifer Battson Warren, executive director of the L-A-D Foundation. Learn more about L-A-D Foundation and its recent grantmaking at https://lnkd.in/gx-faTYn.

LAST CALL ?? Today is the final day to purchase tickets for the Association of Fundraising Professional's National Philanthropy Day celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the DoubleTree in Springfield. By attending, you will: ?? Celebrate the CFO's 2024 Humanitarian of the Year, Sheila Michaels; ?? Celebrate and support philanthropy in our region, and; ?? Enjoy a nice meal and live entertainment in excellent company. Learn more and purchase tickets — only through the rest of today! — at https://lnkd.in/gGEvJmaM.

WE'RE HIRING ?? The CFO is accepting applications for an Accounts Payable Specialist. This full-time role provides support for a variety of financial, administrative and accounting duties related to the maintenance and review of the foundation's financial, accounting, database and record management systems, in alignment with CFO’s mission, vision and values. Additionally, we are accepting applications for a Scholarship Coordinator, a part-time role responsible for assisting the Director of Scholarships in activities related to various scholarship program components. The CFO offers competitive pay with generous benefits and paid time off to help our staff members successfully navigate work-life balance. Date of first consideration for both roles is Monday, Nov. 25. Learn more about these positions and apply at https://lnkd.in/eUKWhpnV.

How's the next generation of philanthropists in Springfield making an impact? By granting more than $144,000 to tackle four community red flags — and they're just getting started. Membership for the Generosity Collective is open for 2025.? ? The Generosity Collective — a high impact giving circle for Springfield supported by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks —?just wrapped up its first year on Nov.12 by granting $36,145 to four nonprofits: ? CASA of Southwest Missouri: To support training and operational costs of an early childhood specialist and to enhance the responsibilities and capacity of an existing advocate supervisor. ? Drew Lewis Foundation, Inc: To support the construction budget of a complete home renovation in the Grant Beach neighborhood as part of the Blue House Project, which provides affordable, quality home-ownership options for low- to moderate-income individuals. ? OTC Foundation: To offset the costs of the full-time site coordinator/family advocate at Study Nursery to transition from a pilot project funded by the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation to a long-term partnership with Springfield Public Schools. ? The Victim Center Inc: To support salaries of staff, including advocates and clinicians, as well as the operational costs and overhead of the counseling program. “The idea behind the Generosity Collective is to bring together a next generation of philanthropists to collectively make a significant impact,” said Winter Skelton Kinne, president and CEO of the CFO. “When everybody's gifts are added up, it results in larger grants than those individuals could make alone.” Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gPKWTCRk. Are you interested in joining the Generosity Collective? Go to https://lnkd.in/gSgcCfeu #givingcircle #philanthropy #SGF #Missouri #ozarks