Community Foundation of the Ozarks

Pictured: Lauren Slamb; Winter Skelton, CFO Donor Operations Officer; and Elise Crain, Finley River Community Foundation board member.

Thirteen-year-old Lauren Slamb, of Nixa, has established the Lauren’s Lamb Foundation Fund to help provide youth-oriented charities with funding through grants and donations. The Lauren’s Lamb Foundation Fund is a component fund of the Finley River Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

The young philanthropist and Miss Missouri Jr. High 2012 established the Lauren’s Lamb Foundation to help kids around the country who are doing amazing things with little or no resources. She plans to make grants to non-profit programs benefiting children. You can learn more about Lauren’s foundation and efforts at www.laurenslamb.org. Lauren has been recognizing youth-managed and youth-oriented charities on with a monthly “Lauren’s Lamb Award” at her website since summer of 2010. In February 2012 she gave her first grant of 180 prom gowns to Becca’s Closet, in Nixa.

“Whether it was a simple $5 donation, selling lemonade, making blankets for sick kids or collecting pop tops for the Ronald McDonald House, kids could find something on my website they could do themselves,” Lauren said. “As I get older, I want to focus my efforts on a problem that is growing in our schools. I am seeing bullying more often. My focus is showing kids that there is a better way. This fall my charity will be the sponsor of a workshop for girls to help uncover ways to build self esteem and stop bullying.”

Donations to the Lauren’s Lamb Foundation Fund can be made at www.cfozarks.org/donate. Donors should be sure to enter “Lauren’s Lamb” in the Fund/Program field to ensure that donations get to the proper fund. Donations are tax deductable to the fullest extent allowed by the IRS.

“[FRCF Board Member] Dr. Cindy Baker and I have had the pleasure of working closely with Lauren.  We are excited to find a young person with so much compassion for others,” said FRCF board member Elise Crain, who has served as a mentor for Lauren, according to Lauren’s mother, Melissa Slamb. “Lauren brings ideas and enthusiasm to the table.”

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is a regional public foundation established in 1973 with assets of about $185 million in more than 2,000 funds. Its network includes 44 affiliate foundations, such as the Finley River Community Foundation, which was established in 2001 and now has assets of more than $1 million in 56 funds. The FRCF has distributed more than $580,000 back into Christian County communities since its inception.

Every Friday, we share the news of new groups and individuals choosing to make philanthropic gifts and investments in their community. You can read more about types of funds available at CFO here. Click here for a full list of non-profit Agency Partners. For more information on fund types and how to get involved, contact Winter Skelton at wskelton@cfozarks.org.

Action Above Words Foundation – The Rotary Club of Springfield Metro established this fund to assist with their charitable projects. This is a new Giving Circle fund.

Carthage Area United Way Legacy Fund – The Carthage Area United Way established this fund to accept planned gifts for the organization. This is a component fund of the Carthage Community Foundation.

Don Metz Scholarship Fund – Three Rivers Endowment Trust established this fund for scholarship monies.

OMC Foundation Riverways Hospice Fund – OMC Foundations established this fund which will benefit the Riverways Hospice program.

OMC Foundation Cancer Treatment Center Fund – OMC Foundation established this fund which will assist with the cancer treatment center.

OMC Foundation Cancer Patient Emergency Fund – This fund will assist with cancer patient emergencies as part of the OMC Foundation.

Every Friday, we share the news of new groups and individuals choosing to make philanthropic gifts and investments in their community. You can read more about types of funds available at CFO here. Click here for a full list of non-profit Agency Partners. For more information on fund types and how to get involved, contact Winter Skelton at wskelton@cfozarks.org.

Doniphan R-1 Ripley Music Award Fund – Paul Ripley established this fund to provide music awards to the band and vocal students of Doniphan R-1 High School based on their talent, dedication, and love of music. This is a component fund of the Ripley County Community Foundation.

Robert Jennings Smith Scholarship Fund – This scholarship fund was established as part of the Robert Jennings Smith Trust. It will be a component fund of the Community Foundation of West Plains.

Berniece Medlin Scholarship Fund – The family of Berniece Medlin established this scholarship fund to honor her memory. This is a component fund of the Monett Area Community Foundation.

Richards R-5 Academics Fund – This fund will support academics in the Richards R-5 School District. This is a component fund of the Community Foundation of West Plains.

Richards R-5 Athletics Fund – The Richards R-5 School Foundation established this fund to support the athletic programs of the district. This is a component fund of the Community Foundation of West Plains.

Richards R-5 Fine Arts Fund – The Richards R-5 School Foundation established this fund to support fine arts programming in the district. This is a component fund of the CF of West Plains.

Richards R-5 Early Childhood Center Fund – This fund will support the early childhood center of the Richards R-5 School District. This is a component fund of the Community Foundation of West Plains.

Richards R-5 Technology Fund – The Richards R-5 School Foundation established this fund to support the technology needs of the district. This is a component fund of the Community Foundation of West Plains.

Springfield Ballet’s Legacy Scholarship Fund – This fund will help provide need-based scholarships for students to attend he Springfield Ballet.

United Way of the Ozarks Reserve Fund – This fund will hold reserve monies for the United Way.

Carthage Library Development Foundation Endowment Fund – The Carthage Library Development Foundation established this organizational endowment fund.

Monett Booster Club Scholarship Fund – The Monett Booster Club established this scholarship fund to perpetuate their scholarship program.