Ms. Claus-Gray is a mixed media artist who uses fabrics, acrylic paint, mesh, hand-made paper, screen-printing, and threads to create abstract compositions. Her work has been featured in exhibitions throughout the Ozarks, the United States and internationally. The funds provided through the Ripley Butler Clay Fund Grant for the Arts will be used my Ms. Claus-Gray for supplies, entry fees and travel as she explores the themes of her work in a large format. She plans to have finished this work in 2009 with regional displays to follow.

Arts and cultural opportunities promote education, economic development and an overall sense of pride in our towns, cities and counties. The Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its 40 regional affiliate foundations are committed supporting the arts as part of our mission to improve and sustain the quality of life in our Ozarks communities.

For more information about Ms. Claus-Gray and to view samples of her work, visit her website.

Pictured above: On Fire, 2008, painted silk organza and polyester

The annual event is an important opportunity to honor the hard work and dedication of area students as well as the many donors whose generosity has helped these leaders of tomorrow take the next step toward their lofty goals. Our wide-reaching scholarship programs continue to be an important means of giving something back to the community by affording young people the opportunity to pursue a higher education.

This year, Community Foundation of the Ozarks will award more than $565,000 in scholarships to 340 students from approximately 200 scholarship funds administered by CFO and its 40 regional affiliate foundations. This includes renewals for two and four year scholarships. CFO manages more than $14 million in assets devoted to scholarships.

The YEP grant funded the purchase of gloves, bags, and trash “jabbers” that allowed the students to nab some of the nastiest articles that had found their way into the stream. These items will allow P.H.S. Green Team members to provide stream stewardship for years to come. Parkview freshman Carsen Miller said it best: “The stuff we took out was really icky, but I am glad that we did it. In fact, the ducks that were swimming in the stream seemed to appreciate our efforts!”

Click here to read about the 11 projects funded through the Louis and Dorothy Coover Regional Grantmaking Program and how these projects will benefit Ozarks communities.

Visit the Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks page to get the latest news from the 37 affiliate foundations participating in the campaign.

Learn more about CFO’s investment policies and asset allocation here.

The “Growing Smarter” report from the James Irvine Foundation that featured CFO can be downloaded on our publications page.

A PDF version of the Spring 2008 newsletter is also available on our publications page.

Runoff water from storms leads to flooding and erosion downstream and also carries pollutants that degrade water quality. Rain gardens are shallow depressions filled with native plants that catch the torrents of storm water. The native plants with their deep roots work to filter pollutants and recharge the groundwater aquifer, making runoff water a resource rather than a downstream problem.

With funding through a grant from Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the James River Basin Partnership has planted several demonstrative rain gardens. The gardens are part of a larger project to increase public awareness of water pollution issues. These efforts encourage environmental stewardship on a personal, house-to-house level.

Feel free to stop by CFO at 425 E. Trafficway to learn more about rain gardens and to check out downtown’s latest “green” feature. More pictures below the fold.
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The Springfield Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) presented grants as part of the Spring 2008 grant round on April 15, 2008.  Eight organizations received grants of up to $500 for projects that benefit at-risk children in the Springfield area.  Grant selections were determined by YEP students.  The YEP board is comprised of three students from seven schools in Springfield (Central, Glendale, Hillcrest, Kickapoo, Parkview, Catholic, and Greenwood).

The mission of the Springfield Youth Empowerment Project is to empower youth to positively impact their community.  This is achieved through education, service, fundraising, and grantmaking.

For a complete list of recipients and a brief description of each project funded by the YEP Spring 2008 grant round, click the “more” link …  (more)

A list of the new funds follows. (more…)

If you missed a previous presentation from CFO’s Essential Questions series, want a refresher, or share it with other members of you organization, the complete series is archived here and available for download.

The Community swimming pool was originally built by the James Foundation I the 1960s, and the community recreational facility is need of several major repairs and upgrades in order to continue to provide St. James families with a summer time recreational activity. The study will determine what the best options for the facility’s future are. For the next step in the process, the St. James Area Community Foundation will conduct a community awareness campaign and seek input from residents.

The work of the St. James Area Community Foundation here is good reminder of the unique position foundations are in to meet important community needs through leadership and asset development.