Care to Learn launches capital campaign for new headquarters

Springfield-based nonprofit Care to Learn launched a capital campaign March 5 called Caring Starts Here to establish a new home base. It is nearly four times larger than its existing headquarters.

“This will be a long-term home for us. It really gives us a lot of room to grow and we’ve seen a lot of growth in the last few years,” said Doug Pitt, founder of Care to Learn, in an interview. “That’s how we’re wired and we plan to do more. So, we’re excited that now we have a place to do it, and everything we dreamed about now can come to pass.”

The nonprofit raised $5.74 million of the $6.9 million project to purchase and renovate the 19,740-square-foot building at 1730 E. Portland St., and the new capital campaign is designed to make up the difference. A purchase price has not been disclosed; Greene County assessor and recorder filings show the property changed hands in September.

Once completed, the building will serve as headquarters for a nonprofit started in 2008, partnering with Springfield Public Schools to meet the health, hunger and hygiene needs of children. It now has more than 50 partners, providing resources to more than 130,000 students.

Pitt said the goal of adding space is to help more children. He said by taking care of immediate needs, students can focus on learning.

“We’ve been able to just come in there and surgically take care of what the kids need that day and get them back in the classroom,” he said.

The nonprofit reported a 233% increase in student requests over the past four years. In its first 18 years, Care to Learn said it has invested $16.7 million and met 4.6 million student needs.

“School districts across Missouri are increasingly reaching out to Care to Learn because they are seeing students and families struggle in real and immediate ways,” said Krystal Simon, CEO of Care to Learn, in a news release. “Several Missouri school districts still need help and don’t have access to our resources. As rising economic pressures continue to stretch families and schools beyond their limits, a larger space will allow us to stand beside more communities, strengthen those partnerships and ultimately double our statewide impact.”

Funding raised to this point includes a one-time $2.5 million grant from the state of Missouri and donations from Doug and Lisa Pitt, the Care to Learn board and others who gave anonymously.

To secure more funding, the Mabee Foundation has agreed to provide a $750,000 challenge grant, but it will only be awarded if an additional $1.875 million is raised by Jan. 13, 2027.

The new home and expanded warehouse will allow the nonprofit to better manage bulk deliveries and in-kind donations. It will also provide more space for volunteers and create a regional hub.

“This building is huge for our community and really for our state,” said Simon, in an interview. “This building will allow us to expand our mission in ways that our current building and facility does not offer. First, it will allow us to host volunteers.”

The nonprofit’s annual operating budget is $6.8 million. There are nine full-time employees. Simon said the nonprofit has a short-term lease on its existing building at 1047 S. Glenstone Ave. and will remain there until the new facility is ready.

Renovations will start this summer with the project expected to be complete in spring 2027. The nonprofit is working with Paragon Architecture LLC and Snyder Construction Group LLC.