Since 1973, CFO has channeled over $600 million in grants to strengthen central and southern Missouri.
Fifty-plus years ago, a group of Springfield civic leaders asked a simple question: what if charitable dollars could work harder for the whole region? The answer became the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, incorporated in 1973 and now one of the most consequential philanthropic institutions in Missouri. From its downtown Springfield office at 300 S Jefferson Ave, the foundation has quietly powered scholarships, nonprofit growth, and community investment across dozens of counties.
The numbers tell part of the story. More than $600 million in grants and distributions returned to the region since founding. Hundreds of charitable funds opened and actively managed. A regional affiliate network stretching across central and southern Missouri, so that rural communities have the same access to philanthropic infrastructure as urban ones. Reviewers consistently point to CFO's collaborative approach, noting how it pulls together donors, nonprofits, businesses, and community members around shared goals rather than siloed agendas.
What sets CFO apart is the human infrastructure behind the money. Staff work directly with donors to align giving with personal values, help professional advisors structure legacy gifts for their clients, and guide nonprofits through asset management and investment. The result is a philanthropic ecosystem where passion finds its purpose, every single grant cycle.
CFO offers a full continuum of charitable services, from a first-time donor opening a simple fund to a seasoned estate attorney structuring a planned giving arrangement for a longtime client. Donors can establish donor-advised funds that let them contribute now and recommend grants on their own timeline. The foundation also opens and manages a wide variety of named charitable funds, handles nonprofit asset holding and investment, and administers scholarship programs that send Ozarks students to college year after year.
On the community side, CFO's grantmaking programs deploy resources to nonprofits tackling pressing regional needs, while the regional affiliate foundation network ensures that smaller communities across central and southern Missouri have local philanthropic capacity. Professional advisors, including attorneys, CPAs, and financial planners, regularly partner with CFO to help clients integrate charitable strategies into estate and financial plans. Whatever stage of giving a donor is in, the foundation has a structure built for it.
Take a look at our space and what we have to offer
Don't just take our word for it - hear from our satisfied customers
A donor-advised fund (DAF) lets you make a charitable contribution to CFO, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to your favorite nonprofits over time. CFO staff can walk you through the process of opening a fund and setting it up to reflect your philanthropic priorities. Contact the office at 300 S Jefferson Ave, Suite 400, Springfield, MO during business hours to get started.
CFO manages donor-advised funds, scholarship funds, field-of-interest funds, designated funds, agency endowments for nonprofits, and more. Each fund type is designed for a different giving goal, so the team will help you identify which structure fits your intentions best.
Yes. CFO administers a large portfolio of scholarship funds on behalf of donors and families who established them. Eligibility, award amounts, and application deadlines vary by scholarship. Visit cfozarks.org for the current scholarship listings and application information.
CFO partners closely with attorneys, CPAs, financial planners, and wealth managers to help clients incorporate charitable giving into their estate and financial plans. The foundation can serve as a resource for structuring legacy gifts, planned giving vehicles, and complex asset transfers. Reach out through cfozarks.org to connect with the professional advisor team.
CFO's primary service area covers central and southern Missouri, with a regional affiliate foundation network that extends philanthropic infrastructure into communities well beyond Springfield. If you are unsure whether your community falls within the service area, the staff can clarify.
The Springfield office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The office is closed Saturday and Sunday. You can also reach the team and access resources anytime at cfozarks.org.
Yes. CFO offers nonprofit asset holding and investment services, allowing organizations to place endowment funds or reserve assets under professional investment management without having to build that infrastructure internally. This is especially valuable for smaller nonprofits that want to grow long-term reserves responsibly.
Local places a short distance away, each with its own Doozer site. Tap any card to visit.
2.4 mi2223 E Bennett St, Springfield, MO 65804, USA
4.1 mi949 E Primrose St, Springfield, MO 65807
5.5 mi4650 S National Ave Ste a-1, Springfield, MO 65810
12 mi2400 N 18th St, Ozark, MO 65721, USA
29 mi1999 W Broadway St, Bolivar, MO 65613, USA
Other spots near here, whatever their type. Tap one to open its page.