Improve the Quality of Life for Individuals in Missouri

Improve the Quality of Life for Individuals in Missouri is a grant program from the Joplin Regional Community Foundation (JRCF) that funds nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations serving Joplin, Carl Junction, and Webb City, Missouri. The foundation has distributed more than $65. 5 million in grants since its founding in 2006.

Individual grant awards reach up to $2,500 through community grantmaking, with higher-impact awards of up to $50,000 available through the Philanthropic Society program. Priority areas include barriers to work and prosperity, child welfare and education, community health, and housing affordability. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, government entities, and faith-based organizations operating in the Joplin area.

Applications follow an annual competitive review process.

Joplin Regional Community Foundation - Community Foundation of the Ozarks Joplin Regional Community Foundation A trusted resource for philanthropy serving the Joplin region. Joplin Regional Community Foundation serves Joplin, Carl Junction and Webb City. Our mission: To build and lead a better community through collaboration and charitable giving.

Since our founding on Dec. 16, 2006, we have distributed more than $65. 5 million in grants to the community.

We now hold assets totaling $15,919,871 as of June 30, 2025. View All Foundation Funds Louise Secker , President Our foundation is led by members of our community.

Roger Wrestler, Vice President Pete Ramsour, Foundation Manager Keep up with what's happening at JRCF KOAM: $50K endowment helps Joplin garage serve families in need KSNF/KODE: Higher Power Garage receives $50,000 check for endowment fund Joplin Globe: Higher Power Garage receives endowment Joplin Globe: Louise Secker joins the board of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks Joplin Globe: Joplin, Carthage graduates receive CFO scholarships Joplin Globe: Lafayette House receives emergency grant for security system Joplin Globe: Philanthropic Society awards $200,000 in grants Joplin ‘Phil’ grants $200,000 to local nonprofits May 21, 2025 — The Philanthropic Society of the Joplin Regional Community Foundation announced the recipients of four grants totaling $200,000 through its latest high-impact grant round on Wednesday, May 21.

The four recipients, each receiving $50,000, are: Higher Power Garage: To expand programs that provide vehicle repairs, maintenance, budgeting training and low-cost used vehicles to low-income families and other marginalized community members who lack access to reliable transportation.

Bright Futures Joplin: To support students facing barriers to success through the Student Needs program, which provides them with weather-appropriate clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, weekend food, transportation and other needs. Rapha International: To provide 45 financial aid scholarships for children’s therapy services at the Joplin Hope and Healing Center.

Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity: To expand a new program to help low-income homeowners — primarily seniors, veterans and/or individuals with physically disabilities — with repair projects that fall outside of Habitat’s current improvement and repair programs.

The grants, presented during the Philanthropic Society’s annual grant luncheon at Missouri Southern State University’s Ron Richard Athletic Center, target the group’s four grantmaking priorities: Barriers to Work and Prosperity; Child Welfare and Education; Community Health; and Housing Affordability and Homelessness.

The event was sponsored by the Missouri Southern Foundation, Mercy and the Edward Jones office of Logan Stanley and Ryan Stanley. Following an application process, a committee of the Philanthropic Society members narrowed applicants down to finalists, then the entire Philanthropic Society membership voted to select the recipients.

The program is open each year to 501(c)3 nonprofits and agencies with similar tax-exempt status like schools, government entities and faith-based organizations. The Philanthropic Society was formed by the JRCF in 2018 to respond to emerging community needs by making a significant charitable impact. The group comprises 100 members who donate at least $2,500 in annual dues to the JRCF Philanthropic Society Fund.

Since the first grants in 2019, the Philanthropic Society has awarded more than $1,300,000 to nonprofits serving Joplin, Webb City and Carl Junction. The Philanthropic Society also provides annual support to the JRCF’s community grantmaking endowment and to youth-led Launch programs at Joplin, Webb City and Carl Junction high schools.

Joplin Regional Community Foundation serves local needs The JRCF has distributed $59 million back to the community since its inception in 2006 Scott Vorhees receives Board Member of Excellence Award from CFO April 24, 2025 — Scott Vorhees received a Board Member of Excellence Award in recognition for his outstanding contributions to the Joplin Regional Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

Vorhees was recognized for his ongoing support of nonprofit work and the JRCF’s Philanthropic Society, a giving circle that has granted more than $1 million to address high-priority community issues since its inception in 2019. He serves on its grants selection committee, and has purchased at least two buildings and donated them to local nonprofits as their new facilities.

This award was part of the CFO’s annual recognition of affiliates and affiliate leaders, presented April 10 prior to the Rural Philanthropy Summit. The conference, cohosted by the CFO and Philanthropy Missouri, was held April 11 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark. For a full list of honorees and grant recipients, visit cfozarks.

org/affiliates2025 . “We believe that place-based philanthropy can be transformative for a community, but it requires passionate leaders to make that transformation possible,” said Alice Wingo, vice president of affiliates for the CFO. “We are grateful that these forward-thinking leaders volunteer so much of their time and energy to improve the quality of life for everyone in their communities.

” JRCF grants $24,750 to 16 nonprofits Dec. 10, 2024 — The Joplin Regional Community Foundation announced a total of $24,750 in grants to 16 nonprofits through its latest community grant round on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

The grants, supported by the Duane and Edith Lawellin Legacy Fund and the Cloyd Carlin Charitable Fund, were presented during an event at the Joplin Chamber of Commerce.

The grants were distributed to the following organizations: Alliance of Southwest Missouri : $2,000 for school gear and extracurricular support Ascent Recovery Residences: $1,100 for technology upgrades Bike Walk Joplin: $300 for education campaign kits Bright Futures: $2,000 for snack packs Crosslines Ministries: $2,000 to support the Green Leadership Academy FosterAdopt Connect: $1,250 for soap, diapers and other hygiene products Jasper County CASA : $1,800 for an AED machine Jaxon’s Badgers: $1,800 for an AED machine Joplin Arts District: $2,000 for a mural Joplin NALA: $1,000 for Testing for Success Kiwanis Club of Joplin: $2,000 for the Take DEFENSE program Lafayette House: $2,500 for an HVAC upgrade Loving Grace: $1,000 for van maintenance and fuel RAISE — Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education: $1,250 for blankets and clothing Rapha International: $1,250 for Trauma Therapy Center supplies Solace House: $1,500 for a security system and a laptop computer Following an application process, the recipients were selected by a volunteer committee of citizens in the Joplin region.

The program is open each year to 501(c)3 nonprofits and agencies with similar tax-exempt status like schools, government entities and faith-based organizations. Gifts to the Duane and Edith Lawellin Legacy Fund for Southwest Missouri and the Cloyd Carlin Charitable Fund help increase the amount available for future rounds of the JRCF’s community grantmaking program.

Secure online donations can be made to these funds by going to cfozarks. org/givejoplin . CFO honors Joplin Regional Community Foundation for philanthropic leadership July 17, 2024 — The Community Foundation of the Ozarks recently recognized the Joplin Regional Community Foundation for its philanthropic leadership to the community.

As one of the CFO’s Affiliates of the Year, the Joplin Regional Community Foundation received a $5,000 award to supplement its annual grantmaking. Selection for the award was based on growth in several categories, as well as examples of community leadership, collaboration and the promotion of planned giving. As of May 30, the JRCF’s assets had grown 13% to more than $11 million in 158 charitable funds.

From July 1, 2023, to May 31, grantmaking from those funds totaled more than $3. 3 million to address community needs and support causes important to donors. “Every community needs champions who selflessly dedicate their time, talent and treasure to improve the lives of others,” said Alice Wingo, vice president of affiliates for the CFO.

“As our regional affiliate network has grown over the last 31 years, these exceptional leaders provide great examples for others to follow. ” JRCF’s Philanthropic Society presents $130,000 in grants to area nonprofits The Philanthropic Society of the Joplin Regional Community Foundation announced the recipients of three grants totaling $130,000 through its latest high-impact grant round on Tuesday, May 14.

The grants were presented during the Philanthropic Society’s annual grant luncheon at Missouri Southern State University’s Ron Richard Athletic Center. The three recipients of these grants are: Joplin Police Department: $50,000 to provide the first-year salary of an embedded social worker within the Joplin Police Department.

The ESW will assist by responding with the JPD to situations requiring de-escalation and providing ongoing care for residents in need of a more holistic approach than what patrol officers can provide. Training, equipment and office space will be provided by the JPD.

Creative Learning Alliance: $30,000 to support programming, supplies, equipment rental, and STEAMagination events and exhibits, to align with the CLA’s mission to create a place of lifelong learning where people of all ages embrace science as a way of knowing about themselves and their world.

Watered Gardens: $50,000 to help support a family-unit expansion at the Washington Family Hope Center — a shelter for mothers with young children in crisis or chronic homelessness, allowing them to stay together while working toward a better life. The expansion will allow physical separation for those families working in a longer-term program from those in crisis situations.

Following an application process, the winners were chosen from a group of six finalists by a committee made up of members of the Philanthropic Society. The program is open each year to 501(c)3 nonprofits and agencies with similar tax-exempt status like schools, government entities and faith-based organizations.

JRCF presents $25,000 in grants to 14 nonprofits The Joplin Regional Community Foundation announced a total of $25,000 in grants to 14 nonprofits through its latest community grant round on Tuesday, Dec. 12. The grants, supported by the Duane and Edith Lawellin Legacy Fund and the Cloyd Carlin Charitable Fund, were presented during an event at the Joplin Chamber of Commerce.

The grants were distributed to the following organizations: Frank Childress Reserve Properties Committee: $2,500 for dining hall restrooms. Children’s Center of Southwest Missouri: $1,500 to support the Teen Safety Matters program. Lafayette House: $1,500 to support the Prevention Education program.

Fostering Hope: $1,500 for staffing support. Greater Ozarks Audubon Society: $1,500 to support the Green Leadership Academy. Great Wonders Productions: $2,500 for website development.

Loving Grace: $1,000 for transportation assistance for residents. Jasper County CASA: $1,000 to support its mission. Joplin Roadrunners: $1,500 to support its electronic timing project.

On Angels' Wings: $500 to support therapeutic photography for patients and families. Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks: $2,500 to support its financial assistance fund. FosterAdopt Connect Springfield: $2,500 for soap, diapers and other hygiene items.

Southwest Missouri Community Alliance: $2,500 to support the Good Dads program. Vita Nova Village: $2,500 to support its mission. Following an application process, the recipients were selected by a volunteer committee of citizens in the Joplin Region.

The program is open each year to 501(c)3 nonprofits and agencies with similar tax-exempt status like schools, government entities and faith-based organizations. Gifts to the Duane and Edith Lawellin Legacy Fund for Southwest Missouri and the Cloyd Carlin Charitable Fund help increase the amount available for future rounds of the JRCF’s community grantmaking program. Secure online donations can be made for these funds here .

Joplin Regional Legacy Society Steve Lawver (Carl Junction Community Center) Sandra J. and Henry G. Morgan Michele D.

Sexton, Matthew D. Lonardo, and Deandra R.

Sexton Ascent Recovery Residences Aspire of Southwest Missouri Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jasper and Newton Counties Inc. Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Missouri Building Bridges (Circles Joplin) Carl Junction Educational Foundation Children's Center of Southwest Missouri Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri Community Support Services Creative Learning Alliance Crosslines Churches of the Joplin Area Family Self Help Center Inc dba Lafayette House First Presbyterian Church of Joplin Harry M.

Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity Joplin Neighborhood Adult Literacy Action Joplin R-VIII School Foundation Joplin Regional Medical School Alliance Medical Loan Closet of Joplin Missouri Southern Foundation North Heights Neighborhood Group Inc. Redings Mill Fire Protection District Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States Solace House of the Ozarks Southwest Missouri Community Alliance Southwest Missouri Young Life Fund St.

Paul’s United Methodist Church of Joplin Wildcat Glades Friends Group Support our mission by becoming a donor today.