Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES­—Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) is hosting a Fundraising Institute for area non-profits and organizations to learn how to strategically find and keep donors. Any area non-profit interested in building sustainability and improving fundraising techniques is welcome to attend.

Most organizations find donors through fundraising events, but many first time donors don’t return after their first donation. The workshop will share information with non-profit organizations about how to cultivate and grow donors by defining and delineating the best way to build from a small annual gift to a major one.

This session is at the beginner/intermediate experience level and is aimed at small to medium-sized organizations. Following the fundraising institute, participants will understand the components of building an annual giving program, understand how to keep donors and communicate and create stronger relationships with perspective donors.

Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) Senior Vice President of Philanthropy Michael Chatman will facilitate the presentation with Alice Wingo.

The Fundraising Institute is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 10 at Meramec Regional Planning Commission, 4 Industrial Drive in St. James. The workshop is open to the public, but seating is limited, so those wishing to attend are asked to reserve a seat by contacting Maria Bancroft at mbancroft@meramecregion.org or 573-265-2993, ext, 114.

While similar events charge approximately $250 to deliver this information, MRCF is able to offer this opportunity at no cost to the participants through CFO.

MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and is an affiliate of CFO in Springfield. The regional affiliate was formed in 2010. Its 12-member board includes representation from each of the eight Meramec counties and from MRPC. Wayne Parry, a Rolla banker, serves as MRCF’s chairman. Currently, MRCF has 42 funds totaling nearly $656,788.

CFO is a public foundation serving the Missouri Ozarks. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the region through resource development, community grant-making, collaboration and public leadership. Formed in 1973, CFO has since grown to include 48 affiliate community foundations and more than 2,970 charitable funds totaling approximately $259 million in assets.

MRPC, in addition to establishing the regional foundation, provides staff support to MRCF. Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 21, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

For the latest news and events from MRPC and MRCF, find them on Facebook at facebook.com or meramecregion.org, or cfozarks.org/meramec.