Daily Featured Foundation - 11/11/25

11/11/2025

Here is today’s featured foundation.

Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO)

Website: https://www.cfozarks.org/

Mission & Purpose: To enhance the quality of life in central and southern Missouri through resource development, collaboration, and grantmaking.

Broad Funding Guidelines: This large regional foundation's most unique feature is its network of over 50 local affiliate foundations. While CFO has its own grant programs (which are excellent), the most accessible path for many is applying directly to their local affiliate (e.g., the Joplin Affiliate, the Branson Affiliate, etc.).

Featured Opportunity: The Affiliate Grantmaking Program empowers small, rural Missouri towns to raise and grant their own funds. This is a powerful system that keeps funding decisions at the most local level possible, supporting everything from park benches to food pantry equipment.

Recommendation: Small, volunteer-led nonprofits in rural, southern Missouri towns (e.g., a local historical society, a park improvement committee, or a food pantry) that should apply to their local community foundation affiliate.