Social and community groups in Missouri: Vibrant arts and culture communities statewide. Strong emphasis on family and community values. Active support for local businesses and entrepreneurship. Numerous community festivals and events annually. Volunteerism is a significant community aspect. Diverse religious and spiritual organizations present. Extensive network of social support services available. Sports and recreational clubs widely popular. Engaged civic organizations promoting local development. Rich historical societies and heritage groups.
Vibrant arts and culture communities statewide.
The Missouri Arts Council supports vibrant arts and culture communities statewide by providing funding, technical assistance, and grants to arts projects, fostering diversity, vitality, and excellence in Missouri's communities, economy, and cultural heritage. Additionally, communities like St. Louis and St. Joseph are recognized for their arts vibrancy, with strong local arts agencies and numerous arts organizations and festivals that contribute to the state's cultural richness. For more information about their initiatives and impact, visit the Missouri Arts Council.
Strong emphasis on family and community values.
The Family and Community Trust in Missouri emphasizes strong family and community values through the Caring Communities initiative, which focuses on cross-system reforms, community-based supports, and collaboration among public and private entities to enhance the well-being of children, families, and communities. FamilyForward, resulting from the merger of Children's Home Society of Missouri and Family Resource Center, is dedicated to delivering comprehensive therapeutic and educational services to support biological, foster, and adoptive families, with a strong emphasis on innovative solutions for safer, healthier relationships. Missouri's Parent Education Program, offered through local school districts, promotes positive partnerships between home, school, and the community, supporting families and children from the beginning towards school readiness, with a focus on early learning and developmental milestones. KVC Missouri provides community and family services aimed at stabilizing families, preventing child abuse and neglect, and improving long-term well-being through evidence-based interventions, including home visiting and mental health services.
Active support for local businesses and entrepreneurship.
The Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is dedicated to empowering local businesses and fostering entrepreneurship across Missouri by offering no-cost, confidential, one-on-one business advising services and extensive resources. Similarly, the Missouri Women's Business Center provides coaching, training, and support specifically tailored for women, minorities, and low-to-moderate income-based entrepreneurs in Central Missouri, aiding them in setting and achieving their business goals. In addition, the University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program collaborates with local resources in Columbia to deliver free online courses, guidance, and personalized counseling, nurturing entrepreneurial growth and supporting businesses at various stages of development.
Numerous community festivals and events annually.
Missouri hosts a vast array of community festivals and events annually, embracing music, food, cultural, art, historical, wine, and beer festivals across cities like St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, and more. With over 900 festival events listed, the state offers something for everyone. For a detailed list and reviews of these events, visit Missouri Festivals, where you can explore the state's vibrant celebratory spirit and find the perfect festival to attend.
Volunteerism is a significant community aspect.
Volunteerism in Missouri is robust, with various programs like the Missouri Department of Conservation's volunteer opportunities, which include educating the public about natural resources, supporting conservation efforts, and participating in programs like the Missouri Master Naturalist and Missouri Stream Team. These initiatives engage a wide range of volunteers in activities such as interpretive programs, trail maintenance, and stream health projects, highlighting the significant community aspect of volunteerism in the state.
Diverse religious and spiritual organizations present.
Missouri is home to a diverse array of religious and spiritual organizations, with 8,802 religious organizations and churches, representing various denominations such as Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran, Baptist, and more, employing over 6,686 people and generating significant revenue and assets. Additionally, there are 120 religious professional societies, though these are much smaller in terms of employment and revenue. For a comprehensive list of these organizations, visit the Religious Organizations Directory, which provides detailed insights into the religious landscape of Missouri.
Extensive network of social support services available.
The Family Support Division in Missouri offers an extensive network of social support services, including public assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, childcare subsidies, employment and job training, child support, and more, with multiple ways to connect and access these services across the state.
Sports and recreational clubs widely popular.
Missouri State University offers a diverse range of popular sports and recreational clubs, such as esports, archery, men's and women's lacrosse, soccer, tennis, ultimate frisbee, and volleyball. These clubs provide both competitive and casual opportunities, allowing students to engage in sports and community activities. Explore more about these offerings by visiting the Missouri State University Recreation Sports page, where students can find clubs that match their interests and enhance their campus experience.
Engaged civic organizations promoting local development.
In Missouri, the landscape of community development is robust, featuring 509 community development corporations that collectively employ over 2,000 individuals and generate $179 million in revenue. These organizations, which hold assets amounting to $260 million, include influential entities like the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County and the Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation. They are pivotal in driving local development through a spectrum of community and economic initiatives. The Community Development Administration (CDA) in St. Louis plays a crucial role as a central hub for federal, state, and local funding. It supports public and nonprofit organizations by facilitating public services, constructing affordable housing, and engaging in diverse community development activities through structured competitive funding cycles and informative training sessions. Additionally, the Family and Community Trust (FACT) and regional partnerships such as the Alliance of Southwest Missouri and Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS) foster collaboration among local citizens, business leaders, and government. These partnerships are committed to enhancing the lives of children and families by focusing on community engagement and efficient resource allocation.
Rich historical societies and heritage groups.
The diversity of historical and genealogical societies throughout Missouri forms a robust network that opens up avenues for research and connection with local history and heritage, offering resources such as websites and social media channels for widespread engagement. A pivotal entity in this process is the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which is instrumental in safeguarding the state's cultural heritage. This council advises on the nomination of historic sites, conducts comprehensive statewide surveys, and formulates the State Historic Preservation Plan to encourage both professional and community participation in preservation efforts. Meanwhile, the New Haven Preservation Society stands as a testament to community-led initiatives, focusing on the preservation of significant buildings, documents, and artifacts in New Haven, Missouri. This non-profit organization provides valuable spaces for museums, archives, and community gatherings, thriving on the support of local memberships and donations. Together, these entities showcase the commitment to preserving Missouri's rich historical tapestry.