Community Foundation of the Ozarks

More than 60 CFO affiliate presidents and board members attending today’s annual conference in Springfield were encouraged to think expansively about the leadership and resource development roles they can offer as anchors in their communities.

They shared stories of successful collaborations fostered through listening to their communities and convening the right people to accomplish shared goals. Greater Seymour Community Foundation founder and board member Ron Geidd recalled how the affiliate led a Seymour 2026 long-range planning process that uncovered a serious concern among residents that the frequently used train tracks through the center of town cut off access to the fire department when trains rolled through. That led to construction of a second fire station on the other side of the tracks to allay those fears.

A larger affiliate, the Joplin-based Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri, used a recent grant cycle for tornado recovery to encourage a number of groups to collaborate on one application to fund much-needed affordable housing, and that coalition received CFSWMO’s largest grant ever of $1.5 million.

CFO President Brian Fogle said it’s not easy work, nor does it promise quick results. But offering community foundations as “safe spaces” to convene multiple stakeholders on community issues will lead to more effective grantmaking, and produce stronger results to build new assets. (more…)

We’re gearing up for our third annual Rural Schools Rendezvous in Thomasville, Mo., where (among other highlights) we’ll announce the recipients of the 2012 Coover Place-Based Education Grants and introduce the new class of Ozarks Teacher Corps scholarship winners.

This year’s Rendezvous is set for April 26, with keynote speaker Dr. Francisco J. Guajardo, Ph.D., Vice-Chair of the Rural Schools and Community Trust and Associate Professor at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, Texas.

A full schedule of events–as well as directions to Thomasville, in Oregon County–are after the jump. RSVP’s requested by Friday, April 13. If you have a stake in place-based education, we hope to see you there. (more…)

Just a reminder to all Ozarks-area educators that one of our biggest grant rounds of 2011 has its deadline this Friday, March 2, at 5 p.m.

The Coover grantmaking program will provide $102,500 this year in grantmaking support for cooperative ventures that enhance teaching and learning through innovative place-based education programs.

The eight to 15 projects funded annually range from $10,000 to $20,000 per project.

Click here to learn more about this year’s Coover grant round, and to apply online. Click the video below to view.

The 2012-13 Coover Place-Based Education Grants will be announced on Thursday, April 26 at the Rural Schools Partnership’s  Thomasville Rendezvous. For more information contact Julie Leeth, RSP Coordinator, at (417) 864-6199.