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Impact Investing

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Special loan programs for organizations to create lasting community impact.

Loans for public good

Ozark greenways mri fulbright sq 1

Investments with a “double-bottom line” to improve our communities.

Our Mission-Related and Program-Related Investment programs offers loans for nonprofits and community projects, often at below-market rates. The loan repayments fuel future projects while investing in needs that might not otherwise qualify for financing. That’s why it’s called a “double-bottom line” that benefits all involved.

To finance a new 1.4-mile section of the Fulbright Spring trail north of Springfield, Ozark Greenways turned to the Mission-Related Investment program. The section reclaims, for recreational use, the retired Fulbright Landfill that was designated a Superfund site in 1983. This is only one example of many community projects across the region that were funded through impact investing.

Impact Investing

Program-Related Investments

Introduced in December 2020, the Program-Related Investment programs was created due to the unprecedented impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the nonprofit sector. Recognizing that different sectors have been affected differently, this program focuses on nonprofit agencies that weren’t emphasized in earlier COVID-related grant rounds. Specifically, this program will support missions focused on arts and culture; conservation and environment; and animal care and advocacy.

Guidelines Agency FAQ

Mission-Related Investments

Since 2010, the CFO’s Mission-Related Investment program has financed community projects. The CFO will consider making below-market loans to help finance projects with a public purpose that need funding to close financing gaps, leverage other dollars or don't qualify for traditional financing. Examples of MRI projects include a new emergency room in West Plains, a tornado shelter/community room in Chadwick and a new building to provide services to homeless teens in Springfield.

2009

  • Ozarks Medical Center: Loan to close financing gap to complete new emergency room for West Plains hospital.

2010

  • Chadwick Public Schools: Loan to close funding gap to build a new multi-purpose room for classroom space, activity center and community storm shelter in Christian County community.
  • Cultural Investment Fund: CFO revolving loan fund for arts organizations to make down payments in booking major performers, shows and exhibits.
  • Gainesville Public Schools: Lease-purchase agreement with USDA and White River Electric Co. for biomass generator to heat Ozark County school buildings using wood chips.
  • Victory Mission: The CFO offered a credit enhancement to the U.S. Department of Education as required for certifying a credentialed job-training program; this saved Victory Mission the expense of procuring a letter of credit.

2011

  • Sigma House: Financing for transitional apartments in Springfield for clients using its alcohol- and drug-dependency services.

2012

  • Drury University: Loan for renovation of Drury on C-Street building on Commercial Street in Springfield to serve as architecture and arts classroom and gallery space.
  • Rare Breed: Loan to purchase new building for program of The Kitchen, Inc., to serve homeless teens in Springfield; re-paid by donor shortly after purchase.

2017

  • City of Marshfield: The CFO purchased a downtown bank building to lease to the City for City Hall; the City purchased it after several months of leasing.

2018

  • Drew Lewis Foundation: Loan for renovation of former Fairbanks Elementary School building in north Springfield for neighborhood hub and services.
  • Freeway Ministries: Loan to purchase property in northeast Springfield for its service to support clients transitioning out of incarceration.
  • Licking Public Schools: Lease-purchase agreement with USDA for new HVAC system for Sherman Hill Field House.
  • Simmering Center: Loan to assist in the purchase of the property being leased in Branson.
  • Springfield Little Theatre: Loan to support major structural upgrades and new HVAC system for historic downtown Springfield’s Landers Building.

2020

  • Missouri State University Foundation: Loan to support public-private partnership for expansion of the Jordan Valley Innovation Center in downtown Springfield.
  • Ozark Greenways: Loan to finance 1.4-mile section of the Fulbright Spring Greenway in northern Greene County.
  • Salem Memorial Hospital: Lease-purchase agreement with Intercounty Electric and USDA to purchase an MRI machine to improve access to diagnostic testing for residents in four central Missouri counties.

2021

  • Watershed Committee of the Ozarks: Loan to support start-up expenses for its management of the Fellows Lake Marina.
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