Giving circle donates nearly $145K to four nonprofits

A giving circle called the Generosity Collective, which is supported by Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc., has donated $144,580 to four nonprofits.

The Generosity Collective announced its inaugural grant round at a presentation on Nov. 12 at Ocean Zen, according to a news release.

The following organizations were selected for $36,145 apiece:
• CASA of Southwest Missouri, to support the training and operational costs of an early childhood specialist and increase the responsibilities and capacity of an existing advocate supervisor
• Drew Lewis Foundation Inc., for the construction budget of a complete home renovation in the Grant Beach neighborhood through the nonprofit's Blue House Project
• Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation, to offset the costs of a full-time site coordinator/family advocate to help transition its Study Nursery pilot project funded by the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation to a long-term partnership with Springfield Public Schools
• The Victim Center Inc., to help pay for staff salaries, operational costs and overhead

“The idea behind the Generosity Collective is to bring together a next generation of philanthropists to collectively make a significant impact,” said Winter Kinne, president and CEO of CFO, in the release. “When everybody's gifts are added up, it results in larger grants than those individuals could make alone.”

The Generosity Collective has 64 founding members, said Aaron Scott, CFO's director of communications.

The inaugural grant recipients were narrowed down from 26 applications and two finalists in each category of child abuse and neglect; shortage of safe, affordable housing; economic disparities impacting early childhood development; and mental health and substance-use problems, according to the release.