Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

a voluntary council of local governments
serving the missouri meramec area.

Two Phelps County nonprofits receive $500 MRCF community grants

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For immediate release

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Maria Bancroft or Caitlin Jones

ST. JAMES—Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) awarded two Phelps County nonprofits with grants for community projects. Christ Church Episcopal’s Back Door Ministry and The Community Partnership’s Capable Kids and Families program each received $500.  The checks were presented at MRCF’s March meeting at MRPC in St. James. This year, the MRCF board reviewed a total of 22 grant applications, requesting a total of $10,905 and representing projects in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties. Christ Church Episcopal and The Community Partnership were two of three projects selected for funding.

MRCF Chairman Vicki Lange (right) presents Jeanne Cavender (left), Richard Cavender and Rev. Dr. Mary I. Korte with Christ Church Episcopal with $500 for the Back Door Ministry outreach program. 

Christ Church Episcopal Back Door Ministry works as an outreach program to serve the homeless in Rolla. They provide hygiene items, batteries, mending kits, warm blankets, shoes, socks, underwear and clothing. The funds will work to purchase these items to be distributed. 

The Community Partnership Capable Kids and Families program is working to provide books for children with developmental disabilities and delays. The funds will work to purchase books to give to program participants during home visits. 

MRCF Chairman Vicki Lange (right) presents Capable Kids and Families Director Danielle Barr (left), Community Partnership Executive Director Jean Darnell and Development and Community Outreach Manager LeAnn Mentink with $500 for the Capable Kids and Families program to purchase books. 

The other recipient was Project RISE through the Council for a Healthy Dent County. 

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. Vicki Lange of Osage County serves as president of MRCF.

Currently, MRCF has 53 funds totaling over $4 million.

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 53 affiliate community foundations and more than 3,100 charitable funds totaling approximately $394 million in assets, as of June 30, 2021. 

MRPC, in addition to establishing the regional foundation and providing the initial investment to create a grant program, 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. Steve Vogt, representing the city of Belle, serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 36 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/.

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