Community Investment

We believe the best way to strengthen our community is by bringing people and resources together to effect long-lasting, positive change.

Our Community Investment strategy does just that.

OPENING DOORS FOR CHANGE

We fund programs, not agencies. Our Community Investment process is open to applications from programs of all varieties across our service area, regardless of whether the hosting nonprofit is a current, or previous, United Way partner.

Funded programs do have one thing in common ─ they all champion children or provide pathways out of poverty, locally tackling issues related to health, education and financial stability. In the current grant cycle ─ July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026 ─ United Way donors are funding 20 programs at 15 area nonprofits.

TAKING A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

We place emphasis on directing resources “upstream,” tackling root causes of social issues and helping individuals move toward self-sufficiency. This focus reduces barriers to education, workforce training and jobs. We do also fund programs that deliver safety-net services and programs that are using innovative approaches to address an existing or emerging need.

MAXIMIZING IMPACT

Our Community Investment strategy channels regular, or undesignated, donations collected during our annual community campaign to support programs that focus on critical needs identified in Springfield's Community Focus Report. Currently, that means supporting programs that champion children or provide pathways out of poverty.

MAKING THE BIGGEST IMPACT

Our Community Investment Fund directs regular, or undesignated, donations to programs in three categories:

We are sharpening our focus on the upstream, root causes of social issues in our community. These systemic efforts will reduce or eliminate barriers to education, workforce training and jobs. Our upstream focus will fund solutions that help individuals and families become self-sufficient.

Barriers to self-sufficiency may include the lack of:

Reliable transportation.
Affordable childcare.
Safe and stable housing.
Financial literacy.
Workforce training.
Educational support.
Access to health (including mental health) and wellness support.

LEADING CHANGE THROUGH DONOR VOLUNTEERS

Our Community Investment Committee and panelists work to make donor dollars go further. The committee is comprised of donor volunteers from our 14-county service area. They are committed to using a strategic approach to allocate funds that address the priority goals set by the United Way of the Ozarks Board of Directors.

United Way of the Ozarks Community Investment Committee 2024-2025

Matt Aug Co-Chair │ Cox HealthPlans

Cindy Norman Co-Chair│ American National Insurance

Austin Beshears | City Utilities of Springfield

Amy Carr | Jordan Valley Community Health Center

Stephanie Clark | Humana Marketpoint

Katelynn Couch | Commerce Bank

Brandie Fisher | City Utilities of Springfield

Missy Forgey | Commerce Bank

Jeff Frederick | Drury University

Josh Garetson | John Deere Reman

Missey Hayward | Guaranty Bank

Jen Johnson | Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Randy Presley | SMC Packaging

Meredith Roberts | Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Please see the Community Investment Panelist Job Description for more information on requirements and expectations.