Neighbor Awards Grants to Seven Counties in the Missouri Ozarks

Ozark Mountains, Missouri. (Nov. 1, 2026) Four generations of the Herschend family are coming together to give back to the communities that helped shape their story, investing nearly $2.6 million in nonprofit organizations across seven southwest Missouri counties through Neighbor, the Herschend Family Giving Collective.
 

The grants will support more than 15 nonprofit organizations in Taney, Stone, Douglas, Lawrence, Ozark, Barry and Christian counties. From putting food on the tables of families in need to beautifying communities or helping local organizations expand their reach.
 

Established in 2013, Neighbor combines the resources of Herschend family members across the country to support place-based community investments. This announcement marks the collective's largest targeted investment to date. "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. “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,” noted McGregor. “We are pleased to help address this imbalance by strengthening the local nonprofits dedicated to serving these communities.”
 

“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.”
 

Generosity has also long been part of the Herschend family business, the world's largest family-held themed attractions company with more than 40 attractions and experiences, including its flagship property, Silver Dollar City.