Community Foundation of the Ozarks establishes 49th affiliate

Springfield-based Community Foundation of the Ozarks last week named its newest affiliate, and it’s in nearby Rogersville.

Seeded by a donation from an area businessman and an anonymous challenge fund, Community Foundation of Rogersville becomes CFO’s 49th affiliate, according to a news release.

A $30,000 donation comes from Steve Brallier, chairman of Citizens Bank of Rogersville, and his wife Kirsten establishes a permanent endowment fund for the city’s community foundation. An anonymous donation also is offering a dollar-for-dollar match on gifts made to the foundation up to $100,000.

“We wanted to try to jump-start this as fast as we could,” said Steve Brallier, who previously worked as president of Rogersville vehicle cover manufacturer E.D. Industries Inc., in the release. “We’re excited to be a part of this and we know this is going to do great things now and in the coming years.”

Community Foundation of Rogersville covers the Logan-Rogersville area, from the eastern border of Greene County to the western edge of Webster County. Its affiliation with CFO is expected to give area residents access to grantmaking, charitable giving options, public leadership and related resources.

The Rogersville foundation’s inaugural board of governors comprises:
    •    Chairman Brian VanFosson, president of Citizens Bank of Rogersville;
    •    Chairman-elect Shawn Randles, superintendent of Logan-Rogersville Schools;
    •    Secretary Annie Lee, a nurse practitioner at Ozarks Community Hospital;
    •    Treasurer John Everett, president and CEO of Legacy Bank and Trust; and
    •    members Brallier, Michael Hendrickson, Jennifer Katzin, Paul Laughlin, Gene McKeen, Chuck Medley, Mike Scott, David Williams and Darin Wray.

Founded in 1973, CFO holds assets of $250 million and serves a network of donors, affiliate foundations, nonprofits and schools in central and southern Missouri, according to the release.