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. (more…)

The Ste. Genevieve County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that they have met their goal of raising $25,000 for the Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks. This money will be matched dollar-for-dollar through the Cooper Campaign. Gary Funk, president of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, presented a check representing the $25,000 in matching funds to representatives from the Ste. Genevieve County Community Foundation on Friday, January 16, 2008.

The Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks is a dollar for dollar challenge grant in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks that is part of an overall regional effort to enhance community grantmaking endowments, establish administrative/operations endowments, and promote appropriate and best practices by community foundation board of directors. This initiative is made possible through the generosity of the Harry Cooper Supply Company.

Pictured, from left to right: Gary Funk, CFO president; Ron Coleman, donor and SGCCF board member; donor Vernetta Heil representing Don Heil Oil, Co.; Bob Mueller SGCCF board member; and Sandra Cabot, SGCCF president.