© 2024 University of Missouri - KBIA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

In First Round Of COVID-19 Response Grants, CFO Awards Nearly $100K To Nonprofits

Community Foundation of the Ozarks
/
Used with permission
Credit Community Foundation of the Ozarks / Used with permission
/
Used with permission

In its first round of grants to nonprofit agencies affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks awarded nearly $100,000 on Friday.

The grants are targeted toward agencies serving the region’s most vulnerable citizens throughout the CFO’s 58-county service region, according to a news release from CFO. 

Since public gatherings of 10 or more people are banned in Missouri, many nonprofits have had to cancel fundraisers—while at the same time increasing their services to those in need.

Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and CFO says it will continue to make announcements as the selections are made.  You can find that application at www.cfozarks.org.    The application is open to nonprofits and IRS-equivalent organizations, including churches and civic agencies.

According to a release from CPO, Friday’s grant awards went to:

  • Christian Associates: $9,000 to source, purchase and fill food boxes for communities in Stone County.
  • Community Partnership of the Ozarks: $20,000 to provide emergency shelter for homeless individuals in Springfield who are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to chronic health conditions, exposure to the virus or other conditions.
  • SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging: $25,000 to provide wellness checks and nutritional needs for senior citizens facing isolation or food insecurity in Ozark, Nixa, Branson, Forsyth, Protem, Kimberling City, Ava and Gainesville.
  • Elevate Branson: $10,000 to support individuals in quarantine who are staying in extended-stay motels in the Branson area.
  • Safe House for Women: $10,000 to provide aid for victims of domestic violence, including safe shelters, in the Cape Girardeau area.
  • Life360: $3,600 to support childcare needs at the Life360 Preschool in Springfield.
  • University of Missouri Extension/Shannon County: $5,000 to deliver food packages and educational resources to families with one or more financial providers furloughed due to the crisis and residents over 65.
  • Dallas County Health Department: $5,000 to purchase food, gloves, thermometers and supplies to safely distribute food to at-risk and recently unemployed residents.
  • Harmony House: $5,000 for cleaning, hygiene and kitchen supplies to support residents of the Springfield domestic violence shelter.

On March 20, the CFO announced an initial $1 million commitment for COVID-19 response and recovery needs.  Since then, the phanthropic organization says it has seen additional donors step forward, and it continues to encourage others to participate by donating.

Copyright 2021 KSMU. To see more, visit KSMU.

Tags
As the Journalist-in-Residence at Missouri State University, Jennifer teaches undergraduate and graduate students, oversees a semester-long, team reporting project, and contributes weekly stories to KSMU Radio in the area of public affairs journalism.