Skaggs Foundation Celebrates $2.2 Million Investment in Stone and Taney Counties

BRANSON, MO | October 15, 2026 Skaggs Foundation celebrated an investment of more than $2.2 million in the health and wellness of Stone and Taney counties during its 14th Annual Skaggs Legacy Endowment Grant Award Ceremony on Thursday, October 15, at The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks.

This year’s investment totals $2,215,261, including $1,665,261 awarded through the Skaggs Legacy Endowment, $300,000 through the newly established Healthy Futures Fund, and a $250,000 Community Impact Award presented to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri.

“This $2.2 million investment represents so much more than dollars awarded. It represents children and families receiving the support they need, neighbors gaining access to essential healthcare, and organizations having the resources to make a lasting difference,” said Meghan Connell, president of Skaggs Foundation. “From our longstanding community partners to new investments in our local schools and CASA, we are investing in the people and organizations who are building a healthier future for Stone and Taney counties.”

Through the Skaggs Legacy Endowment, 48 grants were awarded to 31 organizations addressing six priority health needs: Access to Care, Child & Family Safety, Dental Care, Healthy Lifestyles, Mental Health, and Substance Use. These grants support programs that remove barriers to care, strengthen families, and expand access to essential health and wellness services throughout the region.
 

A highlight of this year’s ceremony was the announcement of the Healthy Futures Fund, a new initiative providing $25,000 to each of the 12 public school districts serving students in Stone and Taney counties. The $300,000 investment gives school districts the flexibility to identify and address their students’ unique health and wellness needs, building upon the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to supporting local schools.

Skaggs Foundation also presented its $250,000 Community Impact Award to CASA of Southwest Missouri to support the establishment of a CASA Clubhouse in Taney County and the expansion of local advocacy services. With Taney County experiencing the highest foster care rate in Missouri, the Clubhouse will provide a safe, welcoming space for children in foster care and their families, offering essential resources such as beds, showers, clean clothing, and a more appropriate setting for supervised family visits. The investment will help CASA bring its successful Springfield Clubhouse model to Taney County, strengthening support for some of the community's most vulnerable children.

The ceremony brought together nonprofit leaders, community partners, and grant recipients to celebrate the people and organizations making a difference in Stone and Taney counties. Attendees heard from past grant recipients Tiffany Isnard with FosterAdopt Connect and Carla Perry with Charis-Group, who shared stories highlighting the lasting impact of community partnerships and investments in local health and wellness.

Skaggs Foundation continues its commitment to building healthier communities by investing in organizations, programs, and partnerships that improve lives today and create opportunities for future generations.

GRANT AWARDS BY CATEGORY:

ACCESS TO CARE: Bradleyville R-I School District - Bradleyville School Nurse; Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks - Fueling Access to Care: Gas Card Assistance for Local Breast Cancer Patients; Charis-Group - Compassion in Action 2.0; Charis-Group Inc. - Compassion in Motion Transportation Initiative; Christian Action Ministries - Renewal of Stone and Taney Counties Dashboard/Community Dashboard Developer; CoxHealth Foundation - Critical Maternity and Newborn Care Supplies for CMCB; CoxHealth Foundation - Good Samaritan Fund for Patients at CMCB; CoxHealth Foundation - Patient Transportation Assistance Program for CMCB; CoxHealth Foundation - BiPAP for Respiratory Care at CMCB; CoxHealth Foundation - Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Patient Scholarships at CMCB; My Neighbor's Charitable Pharmacy - Medication Access and Outreach for Stone and Taney Counties; My Neighbor's Charitable Pharmacy - Pharmacist Leadership, Telehealth, and Workforce Pipeline; Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation - Upward Seniors; Ozarks Technical Community College - Preparing the Nursing Workforce for Accessible Care; CHILD & FAMILY SAFETY: Bradleyville R-I School District - Cents of Pride Store; Branson R-IV School District - Buchanan Intermediate Pirate Store; Branson R-IV School District - BHS Cents of Pride; Cedarcreek Fire Protection District - Emergency Medical Response/Firefighter Equipment; City of Crane - Crane Aquatic Safety & Wellness Program; CoxHealth Foundation - Nitrous Oxide for Labor & Delivery at CMCB; FosterAdopt Connect - Branson Sammy's Window; Gift of Hope, Inc. - Cents of Pride Store at Mark Twain; Gift of Hope, Inc. - Cents of Pride Store at Kirbyville; Gift of Hope, Inc. - Cents of Pride Store at Hollister; Gift of Hope, Inc. - Cents of Pride Store at Forsyth; Harbor House Domestic Violence Center - Harbor House Complete Wellness Project; Options Pregnancy Clinic - Dad Prep University & Dad Grads Continuing Education; Ozarks Regional YMCA - Ozarks Regional YMCA and Cedar Ridge Childcare Center Expansion Project; Stone County Health Department - Weathering Well: Community Support Initiative; Table Rock Career Center - HOSA Future Health Professionals EMT; Taneyville RII School District - Student & Family Community Advocate Initiative / Social Work; Tri-Lakes Special Education Cooperative - Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies; White River Community Development - BridgeCare Essentials Diaper Bank; DENTAL CARE: Care to Learn - Dental Hygiene Program; Children's Smile Center - Oral Health Hygiene Kits for Patients; Stone County Judiciary - Stone and Taney County Dental and Housing Assistance; HEALTHY LIFESTYLES: Barnabas Foundation Inc. - Expanding Adaptive Health and Fitness Access; Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks - Triple Play; Care to Learn - Three Pillars Initiative; Kimberling Area Library Association - StoryWalk/Move Outdoor Literacy Trail; Unite Table Rock Lake - Wheels of Hope: Empowering Children Through Mobility; White River Community Development - BridgeFit Connect and Thrive; MENTAL HEALTH: CoxHealth Foundation - Adult Psychiatric Unit Day Room Expansion at CMCB; Hope Counseling Center - Community of Healthy Minds Workforce Initiative; Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation - Bridges to Wellness; SUBSTANCE USE: CoxHealth Foundation - Substance Use Initiative for Stone and Taney Counties; Simmering Center, Inc. - Simmering Center Respite Care; Stone County Recovery Center - Recovery Access to Care & Telehealth Stabilization Program.

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.