2016 Economic Impact Awards Philanthropic Business of the Year: Jared Enterprises Inc.

Now a decade old, Jared Enterprises Inc. has made it a mission to prop up the Springfield-area community.

“It’s part of our company culture and philosophy,” says CEO Curtis Jared. “As we continue to do well, we give back to the community.”

In 2015, Jared Enterprises made $1.7 million in charitable contributions – both in cash and assets – including a large, undisclosed donation to Harmony House, which provides services for domestic violence victims. Other charities on the list include Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, Care to Learn, Child Advocacy Center and the Springfield Regional Arts Council.

At CoxHealth, the Jared Neuroscience Center serves as a three-floor specialist inpatient and outpatient facility led by a team of neurologists, neurosurgeons and radiologists.

Jared says the company’s goal is not to hit a certain number of donations each year, rather, it’s based on the needs of select organizations.

“Probably the biggest thing is helping in education and helping organizations that help others who aren’t able to help themselves or need a helping hand,” he says. “We really want to make sure that the organizations we help are benefiting primarily individuals in our community and surrounding communities.”

Jared Enterprises is in a unique position to utilize its work as a developer to help others.

In June, the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education voted to buy the Shining Stars Early Childhood Center, 2525 W. College St., from building owner Jared Enterprises. The company agreed to sell the 32,749-square-foot former Price Cutter for $4.1 million, a discount from its appraised value of $5.8 million.

Jared said his company was happy to take on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education-funded project in 2011, as it represented a crucial opportunity to strengthen the local school district.

Previously, children in the district’s early childhood programs had to work out of modular trailers and jump from school to school.

“It’s hard to have that not tug at your heart,” Jared says. “This is a facility they can actually feel proud of.”

Last year, Jared Enterprises spent seven figures redeveloping Lebanon Marketplace, formerly known as the Southdale Center, which the company identifies as a boon to the city’s economy.

The company worked with Lebanon officials to develop a community improvement district for the development, generating sales taxes for the city and helping to defray the cost of the project.

Jared, who personally serves on a number of boards such as the Ozarks Technical Community College and Mercy Health foundations, says his company doesn’t have a set policy in place for employees to volunteer. While some do donate their time to various organizations, Jared says their work at the company makes it successful enough to give a portion of sales to charities.

It’s a charitable cycle and a winning proposition for everyone involved.

“The community has made us successful,” Jared says. “We think it’s important to give back.”