Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) began accepting applications for its 2025 community grantmaking fund on Dec. 15 and it will close on Jan. 24, 2025. MRCF will be awarding two $750 community grants. One grant will be made to a project that focuses on community or economic development efforts with emphasis being given to projects involving the celebration and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the other will assist at-risk children and/or low-income families.
Any nonprofit, 501(c)3 organizations, schools, faith-based organizations and governmental entities looking to address these needs are encouraged to apply. Organizations and governmental entities must be based in the Meramec Region – Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties – to qualify.
For the last 13 years, MRCF has awarded grants to further local projects through its community grant program. Programs in the past have included improvements to a tourism/business center, backpack food programs and more.
2012 marked the inaugural year for the grant program, and in the last 12 years $18,500 in grant funds have been awarded to 66 community projects throughout the region. The grants are made possible through the Meramec Regional Community Foundation Community Grant-making Fund, which was created by a $30,000 donation from Meramec Regional Planning Commission. A portion of the fund’s earnings are distributed each year through grants.
Awardees in 2024 included the Bourbon Economic Development Group and Hope Alliance of Missouri.
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 and has distributed over $1.6 million to support the region. Its 12-member board includes representation from each of the eight Meramec counties and from MRPC. Jared Niederer of Gasconade County serves as president of MRCF.
Currently, MRCF has 53 funds totaling over $4.9 million, as of Nov. 15, 2024.
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 3,500 charitable funds totaling approximately $375 million in assets.
MRPC, in addition to establishing the regional foundation and providing the initial investment to create a regional 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. Mary Heywood is the chairman of the board. A professional staff of 28 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.
