Since 2015 the Owensville Area Community Foundation (OACF) has been a philanthropic partner dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Owensville area by encouraging charitable giving, supporting local causes, and investing in programs that strengthen community well-being.

The OACF, which operates as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO), benefits from CFO’s expertise in fund management, grantmaking support, and community leadership resources, according to a report from Kyle Lairmore with the OACF board.

“Community foundations like OACF play a vital role in local civic life by connecting donors with community needs, growing endowed resources that support causes over time, and awarding grants that address both immediate and long-term challenges,” according to Lairmore. “Through partnerships with donors, local organizations, and civic leaders, community foundations help ensure that charitable dollars are invested wisely and efficiently back into the communities they serve.  The OACF also supports and administers local scholarships which benefit students in the community.

The report notes that as an affiliate of CFO, the OACF benefits from a network of regional support that includes financial oversight, nonprofit training, communications assistance, and strategic guidance — all designed to maximize local impact. CFO itself has a long history of improving community life across central and southern Missouri through resource development, grantmaking, collaboration, and public leadership, returning hundreds of millions in grants and distributions since its founding.

The OACF current has community funds for several local projects including:

• Garrett Braun Memorial Scholarship

• Gasconade County Rock Island Trail

• Mid-Missouri Outdoor Dream

• Missouri Outdoor Activity Coalition

• Owensville Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

• Owensville Monument Project

• Owensville Skate Park Project

• The Ultimate MOB

Area residents interested in creating a fund to leave a legacy through a scholarship, project or supporting an existing organization, is asked to contact the OACF.

In its most recent round of grantmaking, the OACF awarded three $500 community grants to support local programs that address food security, family support, and youth enrichment:

• Helping Hands Backpack Program — Grant funding will assist this initiative in providing backpacks filled with nutritious food for students in need.

• Gasconade County R-2 Adopt-a-Family Program — Support for this program will help ensure that families facing economic hardship receive essentials and support during the holiday season and beyond.

• Owensville Police Department Shop with a Hero Program — Funding will contribute to this community-oriented program where law enforcement officers accompany children on a holiday shopping experience, fostering positive relationships, and bringing joy to local youth.

According to Lairmore, these grants “exemplify the foundation’s commitment to uplift those in need, strengthen community ties, and support organizations making meaningful contributions in the Owensville area.”

Since its inception, OACF has distributed more than $224,000 back into the community through grants and initiatives that respond to local needs.

About the Community Foundation of the Ozarks

CFO is a public charitable foundation serving donors and nonprofit partners across central and southern Missouri. With a mission to improve the quality of life for all residents, CFO provides endowment management, grantmaking support, scholarship programs, and resources that allow communities to thrive. CFO works with more than 55 regional affiliates, including OACF, to expand local philanthropic impact.

For more information or to support the work of the Owensville Area Community Foundation, contact Kyle Lairmore at OwensvilleACF@gmail.com or visit www.cfozarks.org.