http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/early-history-community-foundation-ozarks_11963.mp3
From $1,000 in "seed money" to form the organization, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks has grown its membership to 43 affiliate foundations across southern Missouri, and just announced it has awarded over 100 million dollars in grants and distributions over its 38 year history. Mike Smith has the story on this edition of Making A Difference Where You Live.
This story is produced by Mike Smith and has interviews with orginal (1973) Community Foundation of Greene County Board Members Gary Lipscomb, Fred Hall and Vincent Tyndall, along with former CFO President Jan Horton, and current CFO President Brian Fogle. The following text is a news release from March 16th 2011 when the CFO announced it had surpassedd the 100 Million dollar mark in grants and distributions throughout its 38 year history. Support for Making A Difference Where You Live on KSMU, comes from the CFO.
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks today announced that it has surpassed the $100 million milestone in making grants and distributions throughout the Ozarks over its 38-year history.
This milestone reflects grants and distributions made through the CFO’s grantmaking programs, the affiliate foundation community grantmaking programs, donor-advised grants, scholarship awards, and distributions made on behalf of non-profit agency and school partners.
Founded in 1973 as the Community Foundation of Greene County, Inc., the non-profit, tax-exempt organization was formed “to provide a way for the charitable desires of people of large means and small to be given permanent useful expression in furthering the welfare of the community.”
The original incorporators were organized by former Mayor Jim Payne, who later was elected to the Greene County Commission. The incorporators and past and present board members were recognized for their service at Wednesday’s announcement.
The Community Foundation’s first grant was made in 1974 when an anonymous donor contributed $10,000 for a petting zoo at the Dickerson Park Zoo. It operated as a volunteer organization until 1988 when Jan Horton was hired as its first staff member. Later named the first president, Horton was succeeded by Gary Funk, who served from 2003 until July 2010 when Brian Fogle was named the CFO’s third president.
“There are a million different stories represented in that $100 million and all were because of the founding board members who cared about their community, and wanted to leave it better than they found it,” Fogle said. “They have left a lasting legacy.”
Re-named the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Inc., in 1994, the organization now includes 43 affiliate foundations, 381 non-profit agency and school partners, 1,965 funds and assets of $172 million as of Dec. 31, 2010.