The Community Foundation of the Ozarks has launched a comprehensive program to strengthen small school districts.
The Rural Schools Partnership resulted from a yearlong planning process involving CFO’s regional committee, regional school leaders, affiliated foundation leadership, donors and business people. The Rural Schools Partnership embraces three consensus-based strategies for strengthening rural schools:
-Develop alternative resources.
-Promote collaborations and partnerships.
-Support place-based education strategies.
The Houston R-I Education Foundation, Houston R-I School District and the Houston Community Foundation are eligible to participate in the comprehensive program.
Program features include:
-The Harry Cooper Supply Company Campaign for the Ozarks Phase II, $250,000 in challenge grants for educational endowment building. Twenty-five school districts and community foundations will have an opportunity to raise $20,000 for academic-oriented endowments and receive a $10,000 match through this effort.
-Providing professional development support for teachers and administrators through the Rural School and Community Trust’s Rural Schools Innovation Network.
-The Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation Regional Grantmaking Program of Commerce Trust will provide $150,000 per year in grantmaking support for cooperative ventures that enhance teaching and learning through innovative place-based education programs.
-The Conco Community Arts Program will provide $10,000 for 8-12 student-led community arts projects.
-The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and CFO’s Stewardship Ozarks Initiative will provide $10,000 for student-led conservation projects.
-The Springfield Regional Arts Council will facilitate arts in the schools through the existing Greater Ozarks Arts Tour (GOAT) and Ozark Plateau Initiative programs.