As we celebrate our 65th anniversary, the Springfield Foundation continues to be the leader in supporting community improvement through grants and scholarships.

This community foundation was created in 1948 when a group of area business leaders decided Springfield and Clark County residents needed an organization that could help them reach their individual philanthropic goals.

Over the course of our history, the foundation has steadily grown and, by the end of 2012, was home to more than 279 endowment funds. Since our founding, the earnings from those funds have allowed the foundation to offer grants and scholarships valued at more than $28 million.

Typically, community foundations do three things: collect charitable dollars, invest those funds and distribute the monies through traditional grants and scholarships. For the first five decades of our existence, the Springfield Foundation acted similarly.

Over the past few years, the foundation’s trustees and staff members realized that we could do more. So, we have become more proactive and increased our direct involvement in the community through catalyst grants. Our mission now includes strategic efforts to position ourselves as a community leader and change agent.

The foundation’s trustees and staff members strive to be examples of that mission. We continue to work on the steering committee and help fund Greater Springfield Moving Forward, led by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce to foster strategic improvements in the community.

Last year, we decided the local arts community could benefit from a unified marketing effort, so the foundation spearheaded a new program. We established collaborative relationships among local groups and helped fund an advertising program to raise awareness about the arts and culture our community has to offer. Additional funding came from the Convention and Facilities Authority, and new joint-venture arts projects are already springing up.

We also support the Buck Creek Corridor, Hartman Rock Garden, Springfield in Bloom and the Barbara Bush Literacy Grant with the Springfield City Schools.

The Promise Neighborhood project, created to help young people succeed in school and life, receives our support as we act as a funder and fiscal agent. The foundation remains committed to expanding our catalyst grants (sometimes called initiative grants) so we can continue to provide resources for specific projects or programs that will benefit the community as a whole.

It is an exciting time to be involved in our community. While it is challenging and sometimes even daunting, we at the Springfield Foundation feel fortunate to be able to play a substantive role in bringing positive change to our community. Join us as we look forward to many more years of serving as your community’s foundation.