Community Foundation Of The Ozarks Inc

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks, in partnership with local banks, manages the grantmaking for various foundations. These dollars, designated for the Springfield MSA and affiliate service areas, support agencies providing education and serving children, low-income families, and the unsheltered. In addition, other unrestricted dollars bolster the foundation's discretionary grantmaking programs, having significant impact particularly in rural communities, served through CFO's network of fifty-five affiliate foundations. This year, funding supported capital projects for trusted community partners, arts programming, projects related to combating loneliness and isolation in rural communities, learning enhancement technology, supplies and materials in rural K-12 public schools, nursing and allied health scholarship funding, and multi-year programming related to improving access and reducing mental health stigma.

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks provides scholarships, designed to meet the donor's intent, for high school students and returning adult learners seeking higher education by connecting generous donors with nonprofit organizations. Applicants complete a universal application, and awards are disbursed directly to the educational institution for the benefit of the student. The Community Foundation of the Ozarks' scholarship program is committed to respect for all people and does not intend to deny service based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Conditions of scholarship criteria may be specific if they do not violate federal public policy as it relates to discrimination and if it does not provide private benefit to the donor or donor's family members. The CFO is committed to equity at every opportunity and continues to work to strengthen communities. CFO awarded 914 scholarships this past fiscal year.