The Community Foundation of the Ozarks officially commenced the Rural Schools Partnership on Wednesday, August 19 with an event introducing the project, thanking partners and welcoming participants. The event was held in the Jared Family Community Room at the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield.
Among those attending the event were representatives from the Rural School and Community Trust, the Harry Cooper Supply Company, Commerce Trust Company, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Conco Companies, Ozarks Public Broadcasting and staff and board members from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, all partnering companies and organizations for the Rural Schools Partnership. Leaders from Ozarks schools, school foundations, and CFO’s regional affiliate foundations that will participate in the project were also in attendance.
“Schools are at the center of community life in towns throughout the Ozarks,” said Gary Funk, CFO president. “The Rural Schools Initiative will strengthen small schools by promoting collaboration with businesses and organizations, supporting place-based education and developing alternative financial resources to help sustain important academic activities for small schools. Strong schools drive rural development, and this project directly supports the effort to make Ozarks communities desirable places to work and live for generations to come.”
Read more about how the Rural Schools Partnership works here. Stay tuned to the web for updates, highlights, information and more as this project moves along. For questions or to find out more about becoming a part of this effort, contact us.
Pictured above: Representatives from four partner organizations in the Rural Schools Partnership at the August 19 launch event. From left to right: Leah Hamilton Jenkins, Springfield Regional Arts Council director; Rob Baird of Conco Companies; Jan Horton, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation board member and former CFO president; and John Cooper of the Harry Cooper Supply Company.
