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Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc

EIN 23-7290968 · Springfield, MO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE OZARKS MISSION IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY GRANTMAKING, COLLABORATION, AND PUBLIC LEADERSHIP.

Income
$57.4 million
Spending
$35.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
47
Volunteers
754
Highest pay
$277,366, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $26.6 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION RECEIVES, DISTRIBUTES, AND ADMINISTERS COMPONENT FUNDS FOR CHARITABLE AND PUBLIC PURPOSES FOR THE SPRINGFIELD METROPOLITAN SERVICE AREAS (MSA) AND ITS AFFILIATE COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS SERVING THE OZARKS AND SOUTHERN MISSOURI. THROUGH COMPETITIVE AND TARGETED FUNDING INITIATIVES AND RESOURCES, CFO INVESTS IN PROJECTS ADDRESSING ISSUES SUCH AS EDUCATION, HEALTH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.
  2. $3.2 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE OZARKS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL BANKS, MANAGES THE GRANTMAKING FOR VARIOUS FOUNDATIONS. THESE DOLLARS, DESIGNATED FOR THE SPRINGFIELD MSA AND AFFILIATE SERVICE AREAS, SUPPORT AGENCIES PROVIDING EDUCATION AND SERVING CHILDREN, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, AND THE UNSHELTERED. IN ADDITION, OTHER UNRESTRICTED DOLLARS BOLSTER THE FOUNDATION'S DISCRETIONARY GRANTMAKING PROGRAMS, HAVING SIGNIFICANT IMPACT PARTICULARLY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, SERVED THROUGH CFO'S NETWORK OF FIFTY-FIVE AFFILIATE FOUNDATIONS. THIS YEAR, FUNDING SUPPORTED CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR TRUSTED COMMUNITY PARTNERS, ARTS PROGRAMMING, PROJECTS RELATED TO SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS FOR CHILDREN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, CAREER-EXPLORATION PROGRAMS, NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING, AND MULTI-YEAR PROGRAMMING RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH (IMPROVING ACCESS AND REDUCING STIGMA).
  3. $1.6 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE OZARKS PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS, DESIGNED TO MEET THE DONORS' INTENT, FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND RETURNING ADULT LEARNERS SEEKING HIGHER EDUCATION BY CONNECTING GENEROUS DONORS WITH STUDENTS SEEKING FINANCIAL AID. APPLICANTS COMPLETE A UNIVERSAL APPLICATION, AND AWARDS ARE DISBURSED DIRECTLY TO THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STUDENT. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE OZARKS' SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO RESPECT FOR ALL PEOPLE AND DOES NOT INTEND TO DENY SERVICE BASED ON RACE, COLOR, SEX, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, ABILITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR VETERAN STATUS. CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA MAY BE SPECIFIC IF THEY DO NOT VIOLATE FEDERAL PUBLIC POLICY AS IT RELATES TO DISCRIMINATION AND IF IT DOES NOT PROVIDE PRIVATE BENEFIT TO THE DONOR OR DONOR'S FAMILY MEMBERS. THE CFO IS COMMITTED TO EQUITY AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY AND CONTINUES TO WORK TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES. CFO AWARDED 883 SCHOLARSHIPS THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.