The Community Foundation of the Ozarks has selected the final round of recipients of its Inclusion & Belonging Grants for the 2024-25 grant cycle, with one Barry County non-profit receiving funding.

The program supports small grant requests to ensure equitable participation and engagement in communities across the region.

The six recipients, receiving a total of $13,900, are:

• Community Care Coalition, Barry County: $2,475 to support the Open Minds Initiative that provides free tutoring, educational resources and support to incarcerated individuals completing the high school equivalency exam.

• Creative Arts Therapy Center: $3,000 to support the purchase of music therapy and art supplies to benefit individuals with developmental disabilities in Barry and Lawrence Counties.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Missouri: $3,000 to implement the nationally recognized “Youth for Unity” program for students in grades 3–5 at its summer camp in Cape Girardeau.

• Multicultural Business Development Alliance: $3,000 to support inclusive economic growth, educational and networking opportunities, and resources for minority-owned businesses in southeast Missouri.

• Polk County 4-H: $1,500 to support youth development programming that engages children and youth ages 8–18 in various programs including clubs, camps and in-school activities targeting rural communities.

• PROMO Fund: $925 to enhance LGBTQ+ community engagement and advocacy work in southwest Missouri through events, conducting trainings and collaborating with partners to expand impact.

The Inclusion & Belonging Grant Program is now closed but will reopen in July for the 2025–2026 grant cycle. To learn more about the CFO’s grant application process, visit cfozarks.org/applyforgrants.

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is the region’s largest public charitable foundation serving donors, nonprofit partners and 55 regional affiliate foundations with assets totaling $494 million as of June 30, 2024. The CFO’s mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone in central and southern Missouri through resource development, community grantmaking, collaboration and public leadership.

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