March 24, 2022
Funds remain for additional grants to promote inclusion across region
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks has selected the latest round of Ozarks Inclusive Opportunity Grant recipients for 2022. The program, funded through the CFO’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund, supports smaller grant requests to ensure the representation of diverse voices in community conversations, engagement and leadership.
The following agencies recently received grants totaling $9,804:
- A Girl Like Me Network: $2,000 for its president to participate in the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge;
- The Alliance of Southwest Missouri: $1,999 to provide positive workplace and harassment-prevention training for its staff in Joplin;
- Crocker Elementary: $2,000 to improve equitable access to after-school programming, such as tutoring, club activities or sports, for its students;
- Missouri Stream Team Watershed Coalition: $1,805 to support participation for low-income individuals in the Paddle Mo James program; and
- United Community Change: $2,000 to support the Juneteenth celebration in Springfield.
The Ozarks Inclusive Opportunity Grant Program is part of the CFO’s increased focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion grantmaking. Funding through the program is available to nonprofit agencies — including school districts, government entities and faith-based organizations with similar tax-exempt status — that serve communities across the CFO’s service region in central and southern Missouri.
Approximately $12,500 is still available for Ozarks Inclusive Opportunity Grants through mid-June. Recipients are selected throughout the year as funds remain available. Agencies can begin the application process at cfozarks.org/applyforgrants.
Donors who wish to further the CFO’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion grantmaking can make a secure online gift at cfozarks.org/diversityfund.