The Community Foundation of West Plains will join in a nationwide celebration next week to recognize the increasingly important role that community foundations play in strengthening their regions by addressing high-priority challenges and betterment projects for local residents.
Community Foundation of West Plains President Eric Gibson announced the local group’s involvement in the recognitions beginning Monday; meanwhile, tickets are on sale to the foundation’s second Whiskey and Bourbon Fest set to take place Nov. 17 at the Historic Post Office.
According to a release from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks in Springfield, shared with the Quill by Gibson, for more than a century, philanthropic institutions have served as a trusted partner and resource whose effect can be seen in the lives of millions and in the communities that benefit from their mission-driven work. During this annual celebration, community foundations across the country use National Community Foundation Week as an opportunity to share and reflect on the stories of impact from their recent work.
The Community Foundation of West Plains is part of the 54-strong affiliate network of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. As the CFO has celebrated 50 years of service to the entire central and southern Missouri region this year, the local affiliate program is preparing to make 30 years of collaborative philanthropy. The Community Foundation of West Plains, founded in 2004, has contributed $2.7 M back to the community and holds assets of $15 million, as of June 30. Learn more about CFWP on Page 5 of today’s Quill.
“The CFO’s affiliate foundations practice place-based philanthropy every day by understanding the challenges and opportunities specific to their communities,” said Gibson. “We look forward to the next 50 years of collaboration with the CFO, our donors and nonprofit partners to help our communities thrive.”
Community foundations, which work with institutional and individual donors to provide grantmaking and other resources to local nonprofits, schools, churches and other IRS-recognized organizations, represent one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy. One way the West Plains affiliate achieves this goal is through the annual grant round in which funds are awarded to area nonprofit organizations. Applications for the 2023 grant round are currently being accepted on the CFO website.
To that end, the Community Foundation of West Plains kicked off a new fundraising event last year and is set to reprise it on Nov. 17: Proceeds raised through the Whiskey and Bourbon Fest will go toward the affiliate foundation’s grant making endowment to provide further support to local nonprofits. The event will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Historic Post Office, 204 E. Main St. in West Plains. Standard tickets of $50 per person will allow eight tastings, and “speakeasy” tickets of $75 per person allow the patron to sample the same eight tastings, plus two premium tastings — plus access to the “speakeasy” in the lower level — though organizers caution it is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“Small Batch” and “Single Barrel” sponsorships remain available and may be secured by calling Gibson at 417-293-3742. Tickets are available at the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce, 401 Jefferson Ave. or online at cfozarks.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=1627.
Community Foundation Week was created in 1989 by former president George H.W. Bush to recognize the work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative approach to working with the public, private and nonprofit sectors to address community problems.
