Community Foundation of the Ozarks

Stephen Reagan and John Cooper of the Harry Cooper Supply Company were presented with the Bridge Builder Award at the affiliate conference for their commitment to making possible the Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks. Mr. Reagan represented Harry Cooper, who was unable to attend. This regional effort will allow CFO to work with 37 rural community foundations to build and strengthen community-based philanthropy. Thanks to the Cooper’s generosity, local foundations will develop sensible and appropriate strategies for engaging local donors.

The Harry Cooper Supply Company and the Cooper family have been regional leaders in volunteerism, charitable giving and community involvement, a legacy that spans four generations. There’s a particular harmony to this as the Coopers established the very first funds with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. John Cooper is currently a member of CFO’s board of directors.

“The Cooper family and Harry Cooper Supply Company are most deserving of this year’s Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ Bridge Builder award,” said Gary Funk CFO President. “Their generous support of the Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks will greatly enhance the ability of regional community foundations to make appropriate grants and promote local philanthropy.”

Above: Stephen Reagan (left) and John Cooper ( right center) of Harry Cooper Supply Company accept Bridge Builder awards from Sally Baird (left center), CFO board of directors chair-elect, and James Leon Combs (right), CFO board of directors secretary.

Congratulations to the Bolivar Area Community Foundation and the Crawford County Foundation upon reaching the $1 million milestone in total assets. Representatives from the two organizations were honored at the 2008 Regional Affiliate Conference held at CFO on March 26. Each foundation received a $1,000 Philanthropy Initiative grant in recognition of their work.

Above: Ron Neville, chairman, CFO board of directors, congratulates fellow CFO board member Lou Thelen Kemp and Betty Lemmons of the Bolivar Area Community Foundation.

Above: Ron Neville congratulates David Workman of the Crawford County Foundation.

The Taney County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Tri-Lakes Community Hospices Fund. The Community Hospice of America Foundation established this capacity building fund to provide support funding for their Tri-Lakes area patients and families.

The Tri-Lakes Community Hospices Fund was started with a $225,000 bequest. The bequeathor requested that their gift be used for hospice care in Stone and Taney Counties.

The fund will be used to meet the needs of patients in hospice care and their families, needs not provided through government or private insurance. Patient needs, such as bills or household items, consistent with hospice’s mission to “provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments” are identified by hospice staff members who then apply for a grant from the fund to meet patient needs. The fund can also be used to support volunteer enhancement efforts and for public education about hospice.

“Branson has been very generous to hospice,” said Dorsey Levell with the Community Hospices of America Foundation. “This gift will bring more attention to community hospice and help the staff carry out our mission to provide comfort and dignity to patients and families in a difficult time.”

Related: Click here to learn more about giving back to the community through estate planning. The Legacy Society recognizes and honors donors who have included CFO in their estate planning as well as those who have made bequests.