The Community Foundation of the Ozarks recently received accreditation from Community Foundations National Standards, recognizing the organization's commitment to philanthropic excellence.
The accreditation establishes legal, ethical and effective practices for community foundations. With the designation, the CFO joins more than 450 community foundations nationwide that have documented their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration.
Achieving national accreditation was identified as a strategic priority by the CFO’s Board of Directors for the 2026 fiscal year. Over the past year, staff updated the organization's policies and procedures to align with the national program, which is designed to provide quality assurance to donors and their legal and financial advisors.
“Our work is entirely driven by trust, especially with donors and professional advisors who are considering charitable legacies as part of an estate plan,” said Winter Kinne, president and CEO of the CFO. “National Standards accreditation gives everyone we serve a clear sign that the CFO pursues our mission with excellence. I’m grateful to our staff for ensuring our policies meet the highest standards.”
Michelle Foster, board president of National Standards, called the benchmark process rigorous and comprehensive.
“This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates the Community Foundation of the Ozarks demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission,” Foster said.
In addition to the new accreditation, the CFO holds a platinum Candid Seal of Transparency, a widely recognized designation for nonprofit credibility.
The CFO is the region’s largest public charitable foundation, serving central and southern Missouri. As of June 30, 2025, the organization served 55 regional affiliates with $549 million in assets under management.
