Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES—Doug Dunlap of Gasconade County and Vicki Nelson of Maries County were recognized for their service as founding members of the Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF).

Both served the MRCF board for six years – two complete terms. Dunlap served as vice-chairman for 2015 and 2016. Nelson served as MRCF chairman for 2016 and 2017 and as secretary/treasurer from 2013-2016.

During their service, MRCF started out with one grant-making fund with $30,000 and grew to 55 funds, valued at $1.1 million as of August 31, 2017. Of the 55 funds, 13 funds provide scholarships to graduating seniors in the Meramec Region, and every Meramec county has a disaster relief fund, under MRCF.

MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and is an affiliate of Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield. The regional affiliate was formed in 2010. Its 12-member board includes representation from each of the eight Meramec counties and from MRPC.

CFO is a public foundation serving the Missouri Ozarks. The foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the region through resource development, community grant-making, collaborations and public leadership. Formed in 1973, CFO has since grown to include 49 affiliate community foundations and more than 2,600 charitable funds totaling approximately $266 million in assets, as of June 30, 2017.

MRPC, in addition to establishing the regional foundation, provides staff support to MRCF.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 23, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.