CFO issues challenge grant for OTC

Community Foundation of the Ozarks has issued a $50,000 challenge grant to support Ozarks Technical Community College's Middle College program.

The program was created in partnership with Springfield Public Schools and currently serves more than 100 underachieving students from the Springfield, Rogersville, Republic and Everton school districts, helping them finish high school while earning college credit, according to a news release.

Through the grant initiative, CFO will match every dollar raised up to $25,000 by the OTC Foundation by June 30.

With the funding, the college would update computers and technology equipment in classrooms and labs, supporting the Middle College's programs - early childhood education, diesel/automotive, computers, medical services, agriculture and a new health care professional academy, the release said.

“This grant will help us to improve the learning experience for our Middle College students, and to more effectively prepare them for the workforce," OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon said in the release.

The challenge grant is part of CFO's 2013 Springfield Metropolitan Grantmaking Program, which responds to community "red-flag" issues.