Neighbor, the Herschend Family Giving Collective, awards nearly $2.6 million across seven Ozarks counties

From helping families put food on the table to supporting education and improving local services, a nearly $2.6 million investment will reach communities throughout the Missouri Ozarks.

Neighbor, the Herschend Family Giving Collective, announced earlier this month that 15 nonprofit organizations and community initiatives across seven southwest Missouri counties will benefit from its latest round of grants.

Established in 2013, Neighbor brings together four generations of the Herschend family with a commitment to giving back to the communities that have been part of their history. The collective works with nonprofits, community leaders and funders to identify local needs, strengthen existing programs and support partnerships that can make a lasting difference. The 2026 grants mark its largest targeted investment to date.

The funding will benefit organizations serving Stone, Taney, Barry, Lawrence, Christian, Douglas and Ozark counties. Projects receiving support range from food assistance and health care to education and community development.

“Our family's story is deeply rooted in the Missouri Ozarks, and we are thrilled to lock arms with the nonprofits serving the region,” said Anne E. McGregor, Neighbor chair and third-generation Herschend family member.

For McGregor, the investment also brings attention to the funding challenges facing rural communities, where charitable contributions often fall short of the needs.

“Philanthropic investment in rural areas often lags behind, receiving around seven percent of annual charitable contributions despite representing nearly a fifth of our nation’s population,” McGregor said. “We are pleased to help address this imbalance by strengthening the local nonprofits dedicated to serving these communities.”

Rather than directing funding toward entirely new efforts, Neighbor is investing in organizations already serving their communities. The grants are intended to help those organizations build on existing programs and continue their work.

“What stood out to us this grant cycle was the extraordinary work already happening in these communities,” said Kerri Lopez-Howell, Neighbor executive director. “We know lasting change starts with the people who know their communities best. Our role is to listen and help create the conditions for that work.”

The 2026 grant recipients are Activate Missouri/Activate STL, Christian Action Ministries, Cox Health Foundation, Hope Counseling Center, Foundation for St. Louis Children’s at Cox, Senior Friendship Site, Show Me Christian County, Elevate Branson, Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts, Taney County Partnership, My Neighbor’s Charitable Pharmacy, Southwest Missouri Council of Governments, Our Stone County/City Thread, Kimberling City Library and Stone County Historical Genealogical Society.

For the families, students and residents who rely on these organizations, the investment means additional support for programs and services close to home. It also continues Neighbor's commitment to giving back to the Missouri Ozarks by investing in the people and organizations working to make their communities stronger.