“In 2010—the second year of the program—I have been able to work with many Missouri Department of Conservation staff members, informing them of CFO’s Rural School Partnership Program, so when they are working with schools, they can suggest this as an avenue to fund conservation efforts,” said Warren Rose, Outreach and Education Regional Supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation. “This collaboration between MCHF and CFO will result in more and better conservation projects for everyone involved, especially the students.”
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) officially launched the Rural Schools Partnership on August 19, 2009. The aim of this comprehensive program is to strengthen small school districts, and has received support from many organizations, including MCHF, which provided $10,000 for student-led conservation projects.
CFO’s board of directors recognizes schools play a critical role in the well-being of small towns and communities, and serve as rural hubs. Schools provide a focal point of activity, a sense of civic pride and a reason for families to make their homes in these communities. Rural education is a linchpin issue in rural economic development.
The Rural Schools Partnership is a comprehensive program to strengthen small school districts. The program 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
Warren Rose, Outreach and Education Regional Supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation, coordinates the conservation projects for the Partnership, funded by MCHF. “At a time when state budgets are shrinking and yet the need to connect the next generation to nature is higher than ever before,” said Rose, “this partnership between the MCHF and CFO is giving schools a chance to make the connection to nature possible. Through the rural schools partnership grant process, students can apply for funds to help with various conservation efforts at their schools. By serving on the grant review committee, I am able to ensure the funds allocated are used in a positive manner to help with the fish, forest and wildlife resources of our great state.”
Rural School Partnership 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 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. (www.ruraledu.org)
• 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.
It is the hope of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks that the Rural Schools Partnership and its various programs will increase philanthropic support for rural education, encourage purposeful collaboration, and strengthen the bonds between school and community throughout the Ozarks.
