Community Foundation of the Ozarks

The Ste. Genevieve County Community Foundation awarded $181,386 in grants this month from the Ste. Genevieve County Community Development Fund to support local government and nonprofit organizations serving the people of Ste. Genevieve County. When Holcim (US) Inc. began construction of a cement plant in Ste. Genevieve County, the Ste. Genevieve County Community Foundation and the County government worked closely with the international company to develop a partnership that would carry a significant, positive impact on the quality of life for residents there. The result was the Community Development Fund that awards grants to community nonprofits and governmental agencies for programs and initiatives that address public safety and other essential community needs. More than $746,000 has been distributed through the fund since 2006.

In metropolitan areas, these types of projects can be taken for granted as a larger tax base allows public entities to upgrade and purchase new equipment with greater frequency. Many small communities don’t have that luxury. The Ste. Genevieve County Community Development Fund is a fine example of the impact community foundations can have by developing collaborative, creative solutions to the challenges facing communities.

Pictured: Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff Gary Stolzer stands next to a patrol car purchased with a 2008 grant from the Ste. Genevieve County Community Development Fund. The Sheriff’s Department received another grant to assist with the purchase of a patrol car this year.

The list of 2009 grants follows.

Bloomsdale St. Vincent De Paul Pantry
Food pantry items…$2,500

Bloomsdale Volunteer Fire Department
Assistance for new fire truck…$20,000

St. Mary Volunteer Fire Department
Defibrillators…$3,050

Ste. Genevieve Police Department
Defibrillators for patrol cars…$3,050

Community Center Foundation of Ste. Genevieve
Replace pool pumps…$13,300

County of Ste. Genevieve 911 Center
Equipment for communications trailer…$31,500

First Presbyterian Church
Ste. Genevieve City new food pantry…$5,000

Hope Church
Food pantry items…$2,500

Kinsey Fire Department
Turnout gear & fire safety equipment…$15,650

Ozora Fire Protection Association
Mini pumper truck/outfit brush truck…$11,000

Ste. Genevieve County Emergency Management
Radio and base stations for ECC compliance…$4,462

Ste. Genevieve County Firefighters Association
Equipment for cribbing trailer…$7,500

Ste. Genevieve County Nutrition Center
Food & nutritional needs…$2,500

Ste. Genevieve Parish St. Vincent De Paul
Food pantry items…$2,500

Ste. Genevieve Sheriff’s Department
New patrol car…$29,443

Weingarten Volunteer Fire Department
Hoses & equipment for truck…$20,250

Wolf Creek Fire Department
Rescue equipment…$7,181