The Philanthropic Society of the Joplin Regional Community Foundation announced the recipients of four grants totaling $200,000 through its latest high-impact grant round on Wednesday, May 21. The four recipients, each receiving $50,000, are:
Higher Power Garage: To expand programs that provide vehicle repairs, maintenance, budgeting training and low-cost used vehicles to low-income families and other marginalized community members who lack access to reliable transportation.
Bright Futures Joplin: To support students facing barriers to success through the Student Needs program, which provides them with weather-appropriate clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, weekend food, transportation and other needs.
Rapha International: To provide 45 financial aid scholarships for children’s therapy services at the Joplin Hope and Healing Center.
Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity: To expand a new program to help low-income homeowners — primarily seniors, veterans and/or individuals with physically disabilities — with repair projects that fall outside of Habitat’s current improvement and repair programs.
The grants, presented during the Philanthropic Society’s annual grant luncheon at Missouri Southern State University’s Ron Richard Athletic Center, target the group’s four grantmaking priorities: Barriers to Work and Prosperity; Child Welfare and Education; Community Health; and Housing Affordability and Homelessness. The event was sponsored by the Missouri Southern Foundation, Mercy and the Edward Jones office of Logan Stanley and Ryan Stanley.
Following an application process, a committee of the Philanthropic Society members narrowed applicants down to finalists, then the entire Philanthropic Society membership voted to select the recipients. The program is open each year to 501(c)3 nonprofits and agencies with similar tax-exempt status like schools, government entities and faith-based organizations.
The Philanthropic Society was formed by the JRCF in 2018 to respond to emerging community needs by making a significant charitable impact. The group comprises 100 members who donate at least $2,500 in annual dues to the JRCF Philanthropic Society Fund. Since the first grants in 2019, the Philanthropic Society has awarded more than $1,300,000 to nonprofits serving Joplin, Webb City and Carl Junction. The Philanthropic Society also provides annual support to the JRCF’s community grantmaking endowment and to youth-led Launch programs at Joplin, Webb City and Carl Junction high schools.
