Session Description:

Located in southern Missouri, the Ozarks (also known as the Ozark Mountains) is a region known for a people with a distinct culture.  Predominantly rural, a significant portion of the Missouri Ozarks is designated by the United States Department of Agriculture as an area of persistent poverty.

A model for rural community-based philanthropy and community building has emerged from the work of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, which is leveraging resources, providing training to strengthen the nonprofit sector and increasing the capacity of citizens to lead. To expand reach across many miles, the approach is based on significant affiliation and collaboration work. Today, more than 44 affiliates work in 50 counties south of the Missouri River. Each affiliate has its own governance board and generally operates as an autonomous organization.

In this audioconference you will learn about:

• Mission-Related Investing (MRI) in a rural environment where double-bottom-line investments are made for both financial and social returns for rural towns when conventional financing sources are not available.
• Rural schools as a linchpin issue in rural economic development and the role they play in the well-being of small communities and towns.
• The empowerment of youth to positively impact their community through education, service, fundraising and grantmaking and, in the process, developing young philanthropists in rural towns.

Speakers for this session include:

Brian Fogle, president and CEO, Community Foundation of the Ozarks

Gary Funk, director, Center for Midwestern Initiatives, The Rural School and Community Trust

Ask the Speakers Questions

• To submit questions for the speakers BEFORE the call, email exploringinnovation@stls.frb.org by TUESDAY, OCT. 16.
• To submit questions for the speakers DURING the call, email exploringinnovation@stls.frb.org  and we will cover as many of them as possible during the Q&A session.

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