Skaggs Foundation awards $1.3 million in grants at 12th annual ceremony

Skaggs Foundation proudly hosted its 12th Annual Skaggs Legacy Endowment Grant Awards Ceremony on October 30, 2025, at the Branson Convention Center. This year, Skaggs Foundation awarded $1.3 million in grants to support 53 programs dedicated to improving health and wellness in Stone and Taney counties.

These grants will fund impactful projects across six categories: Access to Care, Child & Family Safety, Dental Care, Healthy Lifestyles, Mental Health, and Substance Use. From expanding medical transportation services for rural residents to supporting trauma-informed care training for educators and providing essential dental care for underserved children, these initiatives embody Skaggs Foundation’s mission to create a healthier, more connected community.

“We are honored to support organizations that are making a lasting difference,” said Meghan Connell, president of Skaggs Foundation. “Each grant we award represents compassion in action—helping to bridge gaps, remove barriers and strengthen the health of our communities. Together, we’re building a legacy of care and compassion for generations to come.”

Attendees of the ceremony heard from two previous grantees who shared how their Skaggs-funded projects have transformed lives in the region. Their stories highlight the measurable outcomes and community partnerships that make this work so meaningful.

The theme of this year’s ceremony, “Catalysts of Compassion,” celebrates the individuals and organizations whose dedication ignites meaningful change. Their compassion drives progress, uplifts neighbors and continues to shape a healthier future for Stone and Taney counties.

Grant awards by category:

ACCESS TO CARE: Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks – Transportation assistance for local breast cancer patients; Charis-Group – Compassion in Action Project; My Neighbor's Charitable Pharmacy – Providing diabetic shoes to the uninsured; Cox Medical Center Branson – Lifesaving Lucas Chest Compression System; Cox Medical Center Branson – Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation patient scholarship; Cox Medical Center Branson – Patient transportation; Cox Medical Center Branson – Neptune Suction and Docking Device for accurate blood loss tracking in the operating room; Cox Medical Center Branson – Ultrasound machine for in-clinic thoracentesis in CMCB Pulmonology and Sleep Clinic; College of the Ozarks – Senior nursing student scholarships; My Neighbor's Charitable Pharmacy – My Neighbor's Charitable Pharmacy staff.

CHILD & FAMILY SAFETY: Gift of Hope, INC – Mark Twain School; Gift of Hope, INC – Cents of Pride Store Kirbyville Middle School; Tri-Lakes Special Education Cooperative – Healthy Starts: Promoting learning through meeting health and wellness needs; Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) – Helping Hands in Stone County; Hurley R-1 School – Hurley School Store; Galena R-II Schools – Galena-Abesville Cents of Pride Store; FosterAdopt Connect – Direct service support for foster children; Gift of Hope, INC – Cents of Pride Store Hollister Schools; Gift of Hope, INC – Cents of Pride Store Forsyth Schools; Table Rock Career Center – HOSA- Future Health Professionals-EMT Class; Branson R-IV School District – BHS Cents of Pride dba Pirate's Cove; Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri (CASA) – CASA Volunteer Training in Taney County; Reeds Spring School District – PBIS (Positive Behavior Incentive System) Store; The Life of a Single Mom – Single Mom University® (SMU); Options Pregnancy Clinic – Dad Prep University & Dad Grads Continuing Education; Central Taney County Fire Protection District – When Seconds Count; Ozarks Technical Community College Foundation – Junior Eagles Childcare Scholarships; Southern Stone County Fire Protection District – Save a life with an AED; Pathway Project Coalition of the Ozarks – Pathways Project Outreach: Protecting Our Future; Harbor House Domestic Violence Center – Harbor House Complete Wellness Project 2025-26; Elevate Branson – Elevate Community Case Manager

DENTAL CARE: Children's Smile Center – New facility to expand dental care to more children; Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) – Dental care: Stone & Taney counties; Fordland Clinic, Inc. – Smiles for Stone County - Fordland Clinic; Stone County Judiciary – Stone and Taney County dental and housing assistance

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES: Branson Parks and Recreation Department – Youth Sports Scholarship Program; Mark Twain R-8 School – Food for Mood- Gardening for Mental Health and A Better Understanding of Food Production; Mark Twain R-8 School – Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds; Branson Hollister Senior Center – Sunny Side - Part 7; White River Community Development – BridgeFit Scholarship Program; White River Community Development – BridgeFit Expansion; City of Kimberling City – Kimberling City Park Phase I; Christian Action Ministries – Stone and Taney counties Data Dashboard/Community Resource Developer; Mark Twain R-8 School – Better Care, Better Health

MENTAL HEALTH: Taneyville School – Taneyville Special Education adaptive self-care tools; Hope Counseling Center – Stone County Expansion Feasibility Project; K9s for Camo INC – K9s for Camo; Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas – Stone &/or Taney County Wishes; Hope Counseling Center – Mental Health Workforce Expansion Initiative

SUBSTANCE USE: Stone County Recovery Center – Restoring dignity through hygiene access; Stone County Recovery Center – ApplyHH25; Simmering Center, Inc. – Simmering Center Respite Care.

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For more information, please visit the Skaggs Foundation website at www.skaggsfoundation.org.

Skaggs Foundation was established in 2002 as a primary funding source for Skaggs Regional Medical Center. In 2013, when Skaggs hospital merged with CoxHealth, Skaggs Foundation Board of Directors chose to retain the Skaggs name. Today, Skaggs Foundation continues to invest in the health and wellness of the people in Stone and Taney counties.