SGF Community Focus

10/31/2024

Two long-time community leaders bring the past into focus. 🎙

Today's Making a Difference segment on KSMU - Ozarks Public Radio features a conversation between Brian Fogle, retired president of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and current executive in residence at Drury University, and Jim Anderson, retired president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, on the origins, evolution and impact of the Community Focus Report over the last 20 years.

📻 Tune into 91.1FM this afternoon at 4:44 p.m., or listen to an extended version online: https://www.ksmu.org/show/making-a-difference/2024-10-31/two-long-time-community-leaders-reflect-on-20-years-of-the-community-focus-report

Brian Fogle is former president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, and Jim Anderson is former president and CEO of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

10/04/2024

Thanks to all who attended the release today! Your leadership and engagement in our community is so appreciated.

The 2024 edition of the Community Focus Report — a collaborative effort of Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Junior League of Springfield, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Springfield-Greene County Library District, United Way of the Ozarks and more than 100 volunteers — was released toda...

10/04/2024

💙The release event for the 2024 Community Focus Report is about to begin! Watch online:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88312077395?pwd=r6yhCSAlOG6CJAxCKeXh9KUPVcBINl.1

09/13/2024

🎉 Join us for a milestone event in community betterment!

Please join us for the 20th anniversary release event for the SGF Community Focus Report! 📊 This event, hosted by Junior League of Springfield, will feature an overview of the 2024 Report, an insightful panel discussion with community leaders over the report's 20 years, a look at the accomplishments of the past two decades and a glimpse at the future of the report. This is a great opportunity to become more involved in our community. Livestream is available for those who can't attend in person.

Friday, Oct. 4, in the Jay Wasson Idea Loft at the eFactory — doors open at 8 a.m., and breakfast will be provided by First Watch, with event starting promptly at 9 a.m. Find more information and RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-focus-report-2024-edition-release-tickets-1008631533067.

10/26/2023

⚡️ The 2023 Update to the Community Focus Report is now available: https://springfieldcommunityfocus.org/blogs/focus-article.cfm?aid=8437

Dr. Jonathan Groves, facilitator for the report, delivered a presentation about the update and next year’s 20th anniversary report during the Drury University Nonprofit Leadership Conference on Oct. 26 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Glendalough Conference Center, in Springfield.

As the committees prepare a full update for the report’s 20th anniversary in 2024, they updated key data points for the existing Red Flags and Blue Ribbons from 2021. The 11 updated white papers and a report overview will be available to print on demand at springfieldcommunityfocus.org, the website hosted by the Springfield-Greene County Library District.

Among the highlights:

📈 Springfield and Greene County have made strides in mental health services, with an improving ratio of mental health providers in the area, and unemployment remains low. Median household income has increased, but so have housing costs for many in the community as rents and housing values have risen.

📈 The natural environment — with a focus on clean air and water — continues to be a key asset for the community to maintain steady population growth and economic development. Investments in trails, infrastructure and schools have continued into 2023, and the City of Springfield approved its comprehensive plan, Forward SGF, to guide land use and development into 2040.

📈 As with previous reports and updates, some Red Flags persist, including poverty and family issues including child abuse and neglect. Opioid use has continued to rise, with a growing number of overdoses.

The Community Focus Report is a joint project of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Junior League of Springfield, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Springfield-Greene County Library District and United Way of the Ozarks. The report, typically published biennially, is produced by committees of community leaders and subject-matter experts from Springfield and Greene County that review 11 key topic areas affecting the community and identify Red Flags (challenges) and Blue Ribbons (strengths) for those areas.

Lynne Meyerkord, executive director of the APO healthcare organization and a member of the CFO Board of Directors, chairs the steering committee; Dr. Jonathan Groves, chair of Drury University’s Communication Department, serves as facilitator.

The Community Focus Report has issued a 2023 interim update to provide fresh data for community organizations regarding the area’s strengths and challenges.

06/30/2022

Jordan Valley Community Health Center's Dr. Matthew Stinson, Springfield-Greene County Health Department's Erica Little and Burrell Behavioral Health's Matt Lemmon are the special guests on today’s Making A Difference on KSMU - Ozarks Public Radio.

Along with host Mike Smith and facilitator Dr. Jonathan Groves of Drury University, the panel will discuss the Blue Ribbons and Red Flags related to Community Health in the recent SGF Community Focus Report.

Tune in to 91.1FM or ksmu.org at 12:30 p.m. to catch the initial broadcast of this roundtable discussion — the final one of the series — or listen later at ksmu.org/show/making-a-difference.

06/02/2022

Police Chief Paul Williams, Fire Chief David Pennington and Burrell’s Executive Vice President Dustin Brown are the special guests on today’s Making A Difference on KSMU - Ozarks Public Radio. Along with host Mike Smith and facilitator Dr. Jonathan Groves, the panel will discuss the Blue Ribbons and Red Flags related to Public Order and Safety in the recent SGF Community Focus Report.

Tune in to 91.1FM or ksmu.org at 12:30 p.m. to catch the initial broadcast of this roundtable discussion, or listen later at ksmu.org/show/making-a-difference.


Springfield, MO Police Department Springfield, MO Fire Department Burrell Behavioral Health Drury University

05/06/2022

New programs, facilities expand learning options as Springfield Public Schools works to close achievement gap Published May 5, 2022 at 12:22 PM CDT Listen • 29:00 Springfield Public Schools / Post Card Image of Central High School, Springfield Missouri This broadcast season, KSMU’s program "Mak...

03/10/2022

Tune into KSMU - Ozarks Public Radio, 91.1FM, at 12:30 today to hear an in-depth discussion on the Blue Ribbons and Red Flags relating to the Recreation, Sports & Leisure topic of the Community Focus Report. If you miss the live broadcast, a recording of the conversation will be available at https://www.ksmu.org/show/making-a-difference.

03/04/2022

Join us for the first “Network for Progress” session on March 30 as we provide a facilitated exploration of the Blue Ribbons and Red Flags associated with the Neighborhood and Built Environment: https://springfieldcommunityfocus.org/blogs/focus-article.cfm?aid=6858

Related topics from the report: Natural Environment; Public Order & Safety; Transportation; Recreation, Sport & Leisure

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Darr Family Foundation are partnering to launch “Network for Progress,” which aims to provide a new approach to moving the needle on community issues in Springfield and Greene County.

A series of five facilitated sessions exploring the Red Flags and Blue Ribbons in Springfield and Greene County as outlined by the 2021 Community Focus Report. Register today.