The Community Foundation of the Ozarks presented five agencies $120,000 in grants to tackle challenges facing the region.
The grants reward what the Community Foundation calls “collective impact efforts.” There are five partnerships, which represent over 25 organizations, and they're basing their efforts on the annual Community Focus Report, which highlights “red flag” issues facing Springfield and Greene County.
Bridget Dirks of CFO told KSMU the grants help tackle specific problems, even long after the money is awarded.
“Many of the programs that were originally funded by collective impact continue on and are part of the main programmatic work of these agencies,” she said.
This year's recipients include Better Life in Recovery for substance abuse and mental health, Council of Churches of the Ozarks for kids' education programs, Geek Foundation for IT certification program, Safe and Sober for its anti-vaping initiative, and the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks to teach high schoolers how to grow native plants.
Recipients were awarded the grants in a ceremony at the Watershed Center Wednesday.
The grant was distributed as follows:
Better Life in Recovery - $24,810
Council of Churches of the Ozarks - $26,190
The Geek Foundation - $24,000
Safe and Sober, Inc. - $20,000
Watershed Committeee of the Ozarks - $25,000
