Fundraising starts July 18 for Missouri organizations participating in A Community Thrives
A dozen Missouri organizations have applied for 2022 A Community Thrives grants and are raising matching funds required for final-round consideration.
A Community Thrives is the fundraising and grant-making initiative from the Gannett Foundation. The Springfield News-Leader is owned by Gannett Co. Inc.
In 2021, two Missouri organizations shared $25,000 in A Community Thrives grants: Rag Tag Film Society of Columbia received $12,500 and Springfield Chamber Chorus received $12,500.
Grants are awarded for specific projects or for operating funds. To qualify for final consideration, nonprofits must raise either $3,000 or $6,000 in matching funds, depending on their operating budget. Fundraising begins July 18 and ends Aug. 12.
The organizations will get to keep the money they raise, but top projects also will qualify for additional grants to support their change-making ideas. Top fundraisers will receive a total of $200,000 in grants and all eligible organizations will qualify for consideration of the National Project and Local Operating grants.
Here's how each of the Missouri grant applicants say they would use the money and a link to the organization's fundraising page. You can also search applications nationwide at acommunitythrives.com:
Blue Springs City Theatre, Blue Springs
This community theatre group has been around since 1986, and in 2020, lost their performance space. In April 2021, a local movie theater agreed to let BSCT convert one of their auditoriums into a live performance space. In order to make that change, the nonprofit will need to construct a stage; purchase and install stage lighting and other production specialty equipment; and the purchase and renovate an RV/trailer to provide a greenroom/dressing area and bathroom for its actors and crew.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Blue-Springs-City-Theatre
Friends of Mid-Missouri Fisher House, Inc., Columbia
The Friends of Mid-Missouri Fisher House aim to promote awareness and support for the Fisher House, a free "home away from home" for veterans and their families during their treatment at Truman VA Hospital. The cost of the building construction will be approximately $7 million, and it is estimated that the Mid-Missouri Fisher House will serve approximately 12,000 men, women and children for an annual cost savings to patients of over $350,000.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Friends-Of-Mid-Missouri-Fisher-House
Ragtag Film Society, Columbia
Ragtag Film Society and Ragtag Cinema is a two-screen theater that shows arthouse releases and archival films, as well as runs the annual True/False Film Fest. RFS also works to improve media literacy by engaging nearly 3,000 students, teachers and community members yearly.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Ragtagfilmsociety
Heart of Missouri United Way, Columbia
Heart of Missouri United Way works to improve lives in its community. Money raised will be put toward HMUW's Equity Fund. The Equity Fund, alongside the BIPOC Equity Advisory Council, "will make recommendations for strategic investments (grants), awareness building, advocacy, and engagement to create more equitable communities."
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Columbia-Missouri-Area-United-Way
Turn the Page KC, Kansas City
Turn the Page KC serves young children by curating resources and connecting youth literacy advocates with communities.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Turnk-The-Page-Kc
Ozarks Pickleball Club, Nixa
Ozarks Pickleball Club aims to serve and grow the pickleball community in Springfield and surrounding areas.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Ozarks-Pickleball-Club
Concordance, St. Louis
This organization works to prevent reincarceration by "helping individuals heal from past trauma, and we offer the first set of holistic, integrated, and evidence-informed re-entry services in the country." Concordance reports having reduced the reincarceration rate among its participants who have released from prison in St. Louis in the last three years by 56%.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Project-Cope-1
Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, Springfield
In April, BCFO launched a program to cover the costs of diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies for those under 35, and since then, "has become more acutely aware of the pockets of our community that have been overlooked." BCFO is seeking financial support to pilot a new position within its staff to focus on helping anyone and everyone who needs access to its services has the support they need.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Breast-Cancer-Foundation-Of-The-Ozarks
Literacy Volunteers of America, Springfield
The Literacy Volunteers of America is an organization that promotes literacy through free tutoring and books for adults and children in the Ozarks area. Funding will go toward covering the cost of new books for all its students once a month and once a quarter.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Literacy-Volunteers-Of-America-5
Doula Foundation of Mid-America Inc., Springfield
The Doula Foundation of Mid-America aims to support women and families in need of emotional, physical and spiritual support before, during and after labor and delivery. They offer services to assist with challenges of childbirth, encourage the bond between parent and child and to provide a sense of empowerment to parents.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Doula-Foundation-Of-Mid-America
A Girl Like Me Network, Springfield
A Girl Like Me Network serves fifth through 12th grade girls in the Springfield area by providing mentorship, resources and support programs.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/A-Girl-Like-Me-Network
Foundation for Food and Farm Connections, Truxton
The Foundation for Food and Farm Connections' project Mo Beef for Kids benefits school-aged children. The project connects Missouri farmers and ranchers with schools in an effort to add beef to school lunches and to provide education on food, nutrition and agriculture. Funds will help support program growth, and will help build a team to facilitate donations, partnerships and needs locally.
https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Foundation-For-Food-And-Farm-Connections
Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Fundraising starts July 18 for A Community Thrives
