Community Foundation of the Ozarks

The Mid-America Arts Alliance and the Community Foundation are partnering this summer to celebrate both visual and musical arts with special performances in five Ozarks communities this month.

Springfield public radio station, KSMU, aired a June 14 report on the program, which is made possible through the CFO’s Ozark Plateau Initiative to bring visiting artists to rural communities.

Shell Knob hosted a performance by Jim and Kim Lansford Saturday, June 12, to accompany the exhibition “This Contest is for Real Hands: Rodeo Photographs of the 1930s,” which continues at the Old Church Gallery through June 15.

Mountain Grove also hosted an “Opry-style” performance Saturday, June 12, by Les Gillham, to go with the “The Grand Ole Opry” exhibit, which continues through June 15 at the Mountain Grove Senior Center. The local history and Arts Councils developed this project to coincide with Mountain Grove’s community fair.

Willard’s exhibition – “Apron Strings: Ties to the Past” – continues at Rocco’s Italian Restaurant through June 15. Colleen Mallette performed there to accompany the exhibit.

Eldon also chose “The Grand Ole Opry” as its exhibition, which will run from June 21-25 at the Senior Center of Eldon. Jim and Kim Lansford will perform on June 25 at the Senior Center.

Houston selected the “Apron Strings” exhibition, which will run from June 23-July 7 in conjunction with Licking’s summer Rodeo, along with a performance to be announced.

The Ozark Plateau Initiative, created in 2005 through leadership provided by Springfield philanthropist Sally Baird, undertook this project with the Mid-America Arts Alliance to serve CFO’s regional affiliate communities. Since its inception, programs have taken place in Salem, Seymour, West Plains, Cuba, Stockton, Forsyth, Gainesville, Poplar Bluff, Carthage, Clinton, Hermitage, Mt. Vernon, Marshfield and Ozark. The Missouri Arts Council has joined the partnership by providing resources to continue the program for more communities in the future.

Congratulations to the Willard Charitable Foundation for meeting their goal of raising $30,300 as part of the Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks. This money was matched dollar-for-dollar through the Cooper Campaign. Dr. Julie Leeth from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, presented a check for $30,300 for the matching funds on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Foundation’s Harvest Gathering (pictured above).

The 37 affiliates involved in the Cooper Campaign have raised more than $600,000 toward the $1 million challenge. Eight affiliates have met their goal and others are just inches away. The Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks, designed to build and strengthen the community-based philanthropy efforts of affiliate community foundations. CFO has made available a matching grant made possible by the generosity of the Harry Cooper Supply Company. Each affiliate set its own target, with fundraising goals ranging from $10,000 to $30,300. Catch the latest news on the Coooper Campaign here.

Jack Hood, President of Hood-Rich, Inc., an architectural and engineering firm in Springfield, made five donations of $1,000 each to support the unrestricted grantmaking efforts of five Ozarks communities. The regional affiliate foundations receiving grants are: the Houston Community Foundation, the Stockton Community Foundation, the Taney County Community Foundation, the Willard Children’s Charitable Foundation, and the Willow Springs Community Foundation. This gift qualifies for a $1,000 matching grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks.

“Our firm has truly enjoyed working in these communities. We appreciate the opportunity to do business in the region, and the Cooper challenge program is a great way for Hood-Rich to give back to each community,” said Mr. Hood. Hood-Rich, Inc. has been providing architectural, engineering, surveying, and interior design services to the Missouri Ozarks since 1961.

Businesses of all sizes have worked with Community Foundation of the Ozarks or one of the 40 regional affiliate foundations to give something back to their community. Because donations to unrestricted grantmaking funds and operational endowments are being matched through the Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks through the end of the year, it’s a great time for Ozarks business to get involved. (more…)