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Finley River Community Foundation

Finley River Community Foundation

A trusted resource for philanthropy serving the communities of Ozark and eastern Christian County.

Our Mission

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To enhance the quality of life in eastern Christian County through community service, charitable giving and endowment building.

Since its founding on May 17, 2001, the FRCF has distributed more than $4.9 million in grants to the community. We now hold assets totaling $4,681,096 as of June 30, 2022.

Our Leadership

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Elise Crain, President

Our foundation is led by members of our community.

  • Elise Crain, President
  • Cynthia Glenn, President Elect
  • John Hedgpeth, Treasurer
  • Dana Murfin, Secretary
  • Jackie Barger
  • Janis Creek
  • Hollie Estes
  • Adam Houseman
  • Jean Ann Hutchinson
  • Caleb Johnson
  • Todd Johnson
  • Karen Miller
  • Stephanie Rutledge
  • Carole Collins, Honorary Member

Leading Locally

Ozark-based affiliate serves through grants, scholarships and service

The FRCF has distributed about $5 million to Ozark and eastern Christian County since its inception in 2001

Learn more

CFO honors Cynthia Glenn for service to Finley River Community Foundation

April 27, 2023 — During the Rural Philanthropy Summit on April 25, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks presented Cynthia Glenn with a Board Member of Excellence Award. She serves as a board member for the Finley River Community Foundation.

Glenn was recognized for her enthusiastic work in seeking funding for the FRCF’s charitable causes. In addition, she was recently named Citizen of the Year due to her community activities with the Sparta Chamber of Commerce, Ozark Chamber of Commerce, Ozark Schools and many other local groups.

Glenn was one of five board leaders honored within the CFO’s network of regional affiliate foundations. Five affiliate foundations were also recognized as Affiliates of the Year. Along with the recognition, affiliate foundations received a total of $23,000 to supplement their annual grantmaking to the communities they serve. The awards mark 30 years of the CFO’s Affiliate Foundation program, which began in 1993 with the establishment of the Nixa Community Foundation.

“For 30 years, our regional affiliate foundations have done so much to improve the quality of life in many communities across our wide service area,” said Alice Wingo, the CFO’s vice president of affiliates. “Foundation leaders like Glenn work hard to build long-term, sustainable resources that will benefit all sectors of a community. With exemplary foundations and leaders like the ones honored today, these 53 towns, counties and regions have bright futures ahead.”

The awards capped off the Rural Philanthropy Summit, presented by the CFO and Philanthropy Missouri at the Oasis Convention Center. The event is believed to be the first statewide gathering of philanthropists and foundations focused on the development of rural communities.

Finley River Legacy Society

  • Dr. Cindy Baker
  • Jackie Barger
  • Margie Beadles
  • Earl M. Brake Jr.
  • Brian Cathey
  • Clifton* and Carole Collins
  • Elise Crain
  • Janis Creek
  • Hollie Estes
  • Susan Haralson
  • Mary Teresa Hedgpeth
  • Patty Johns
  • Joseph L. LaBarge Jr.
  • Matthew Lemmon
  • Samuel and Jessica Martin
  • Karen L. Miller
  • Randy Mitchum
  • John Nixon
  • Mark* and Sarah Orr
  • Kathryn Owens
  • Bill and Debbie Phillips
  • Dale and Rachel Robertson
  • Nichole Rucker
  • Tom and Patti Tobin
  • John D. Torgerson
  • Mark A. Woods

*Deceased

Our Nonprofit Partners

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