Oct. 1, 2020
Program named in memory of longtime foundation manager
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks will open the Jerry Redfern Grant Program of the Musgrave Foundation today to honor the longtime Springfield attorney who managed the grantmaking activities until his death in June.
The CFO assumed the grantmaking responsibilities of the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation Charitable Trust after Redfern’s death in partnership with U.S. Bank Wealth Management, which continues to manage the investment and financial activities of the trust.
This grantmaking program is open to nonprofit and IRS-equivalent organizations like schools and churches in Springfield and Greene County. A total of $150,000 will be available in this cycle with individual grants capped at $10,000.
Proposals should address one of the focus areas of supporting children; providing a “hand up” for residents in poverty; or giving children a “good start.” These principles were important to Redfern, an attorney at Neale & Newman who guided Musgrave’s grantmaking focus since 2003.
Agencies interested in submitting proposals can find more information online. The application deadline is 11:45 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30.
The CFO will work with the Musgrave grantmaking advisory committee to review the grant proposals. They are: Chair Rob Baird; Thomas Slaight; Peggy Riggs, Ed.D; Thomas J. Carlson; and Ferba Lofton.
Since its inception in 1983, the Musgrave Foundation has awarded grants of more than $15 million to nonprofit agencies in Springfield-Greene County. The foundation was created by Jeannette L. Musgrave, whose husband, Dr. Edward Musgrave, was a dentist in Springfield and she worked as his assistant. Dr. Musgrave had inherited oil leases in Oklahoma and Texas, which passed to Mrs. Musgrave after his death in 1970. She lived to be 101.
Jerry Redfern worked to carry out Mrs. Musgrave’s wishes to provide a “hand up” to Springfield-Greene County residents during critical times, such as living in poverty or homelessness. She also was dedicated to improving the quality of life through civic organizations and improvements.
General information about the Musgrave grantmaking program is available online.
