As a giving circle dedicated to Springfield, the Generosity Collective brings like-minded individuals together by pooling their donations, learning about high-priority community issues, then collectively determining grant recipients.
Donor Name: Community Foundation of the Ozarks
State: Missouri
City: Springfield
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/31/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Through this process, the Generosity Collective plays an active role in confronting pressing local issues.
The Generosity Collective has chosen four grantmaking categories for 2024 from the Community Focus Report for Springfield & Greene County:

Economic Disparities Impacting Early Childhood Development

The Springfield Community Focus Report 2023 Update – Early Childhood indicates ongoing economic disparities as a significant concern, while the Mayor’s Commission for Children’s Kindergarten Readiness Survey for 2022 highlights the importance of preschool and pre-K programs, particularly for low-income students, in preparing children for kindergarten.

Child Abuse and Neglect

The 2022 Child Abuse & Neglect – Annual Statistical Report from the Greene County Juvenile Office reveals that 448 child abuse and neglect referrals were recorded, with July seeing the highest peak, and highlights the concerning trend that one of every two children referred in Greene County were under four years old, potentially affecting their development and sense of safety and security at home. (retrieved from Springfield Community Focus Report 2023 Update – Early Childhood)

Mental Health and Substance-Use Problems

In Springfield, mental health and substance abuse represent significant concerns, with suicide mortality, though slightly decreased since 2020, still exceeding state and national rates, and overdose mortality steadily rising, at 25% higher than the national rate. (retrieved from Springfield Community Focus Report 2023 Update – Community Health)

Shortage of Safe, Affordable Housing

Housing issues persist as significant concerns in Springfield, with high construction costs limiting affordable housing development, a shortage of 114,609 rental homes for extremely low-income renters across the state, less than one in three people having access to affordable housing in Springfield, and various challenges including expiring affordable housing, rental rates surpassing federal assistance, decreased support for home repairs, and a lack of comprehensive rental inspection programs for ensuring housing safety. (retrieved from Springfield Community Focus Report 2023 Update – Housing)

Funding Information

A total of $120,000 is available in this grant round. One agency will be selected in each of the four categories to receive $30,000.
A 12-month grant period is preferred.

Eligibility Criteria
501(c)(3) organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts, and churches) serving the Springfield, Missouri area are eligible to apply.
For more information, visit CFO.