Aurora Area Community Foundation
Aurora Area Community Foundation
P.O. Box 940
Aurora, MO 65605
Established September 11, 2006
Board of Governors:
Scott Pettit, President • Jack Muench, Vice President • James Ferguson, Secretary/Treasurer • Linda Cook • Randy Howard • Debbie Stanley • Joe Woodcock
For additional information, please contact Scott Pettit, president, (417) 678-2187
Total Assets (as of 12/31/11): $2,431,938.91
News and Updates
Million-Dollar Status Highlights Big Year for AACF
Dr. Chris Nicastro visits Aurora’s award-winning solar car, part of a solar-energy program for which Aurora had received a 2009-10 Coover Place-Based education grant for $19,325 to purchase additional alternative-energy modules.
Like many CFO affiliates, the Aurora Area Community Foundation enjoyed an unprecedented year, which was highlighted not only by crossing the $1 million-in-assets threshold, but by the receipt of a Cooper Phase II Grant and a visit from one of the state’s top education officials.
Aurora was recognized at the CFO’s annual affiliate conference in April for surpassing $1 million in assets, which earned the foundation an unrestricted $500 President’s Grant. The AACF awarded it to the First Christian Church’s Community Tree Project to plant trees along both commercial and residential streets in older neighborhoods near downtown Aurora.
“We appreciate the support of everyone in our community who has helped us achieve this milestone through their donations and helped us improve the community through the good work they do with our community grant funds,” former AACF President Randy Howard said.
Last September, Aurora High School and nearby Purdy High School hosted Dr. Chris Nicastro, Missouri’s Commissioner of Education. Dr. Nicastro was taking a tour of Rural Schools Partnership projects, and visited with students in Purdy about their recycling program, and with Aurora students about their solar-powered car project.
In January, the Aurora school district received an $11,100 matching grant as part of the Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks Phase II. Aurora was among 26 southern Missouri rural schools to participate in the year-long challenge grant opportunity, which raised nearly $1 million from generous donors and the Harry Cooper Supply Company to build long-term sustainability for these districts.
Aurora Area CF Completes Hunger Challenge II
The Aurora Area successfully completed the Ozarks Hunger Challenge II, with more than $11,000 going to two area food pantries.
Read more from the Aurora Advertiser here.
Empire District Electric Donates 6 Acres to Aurora Area Community Foundation
Empire District Electric, Aurora and CFO representatives celebrate the donation of approximately six acres.
The Empire District Electric Company has donated of approximately six acres of land to the John J. Lee Memorial Fund through the Ozarks Charitable Real Estate Foundation, an arm of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. The John J. Lee Memorial Fund is a component fund of the Aurora Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the CFO.
The donated land is located on South Hudson near a well owned by Empire. The Ozarks Charitable Real Estate Foundation has the discretion to do what they think is best with the land in order to further the mission of the John J. Lee Memorial Fund of improving the community of Aurora. The fund was established as an endowed community grantmaking fund in honor of the late banker and community advocate.
Representatives from Empire, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, and the Aurora Community Foundation celebrated the donation last Thursday at Alpine Wood Products in Marionville.
More news about the Aurora Area Community Foundation.
Funds and Grantmaking
Existing Funds:
Aurora Area Community Foundation Administrative Endowment Fund
Aurora Area Unrestricted Community Grantmaking Fund
Aurora Community Theatre Memorial Scholarship Fund*
Aurora Hunger Challenge Fund
Aurora Police Department Support Fund
Aurora Schools Endowment Fund
Aurora Trails Fund
Harvest Food Pantry Hunger Challenge Fund
Houn Dog Scholarship Fund
J.K. Burney Scholarship Fund*
Ed Cook Memorial Scholarship Fund*
James D. and Mary L. Crafton Endowment Fund*
Laverta Arnhardt Jones Scholarship Fund
John J. Lee Memorial Fund
Miller High School FFA/Agriculture Department Fund
JD and Carol Ann Pilkenton Fund
Tri County Pregnancy Resource Center Fund
United Commercial Travelers #632 of Aurora Missouri Fund*
Verona Baptist Church Hunger Challenge Fund
*established as at-large funds of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks
Legacy Society
Brian and Renee Fogle
Community Grants for Fiscal Year 2011
New Veteran’s Memorial, Memorial construction, $500
Tri-County Pregnancy Resource Center, Fatherhood program, $500
Aurora Parks and Recreation, Walking trails, $500
For the Kids, Foster child expenses, $1,350
Barry-Lawrence Regional Library, Computer purchases, $2,000