Kip Kendrick, Presiding Commissioner

Justin Aldred, District I Commissioner

Janet Thompson, District II Commissioner

Roger B. Wilson

Boone County Government Center

801 E. Walnut St., Rm 333

Columbia, MO 65201-7732

(573) 886-4305 • (573) 886-4311

Boone County
Commission

Boone County News Release

Boone County Children's Services Board Grassroots Funding Opportunity Earns National Association of Counties 2025 Achievement Award

COLUMBIA, Mo. (July 15, 2025) - The Boone County Children's Services Board, with support from the Boone County Community Services Department, has been recognized for its Grassroots Funding Opportunity with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). This award honors innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.

The Grassroots Funding Opportunity was designed to break down financial and administrative barriers for small, community-based organizations serving Boone County children, youth, and families. As small, locally based organizations with limited financial or administrative capacity, often led by volunteers and serving specific communities, many grassroots organizations found the Request for Proposal (RFP) requirements to be complex and intimidating, were unaware of Boone County Children's Services Fund funding opportunities, or struggled with the financial burden of a reimbursement-based funding model. To address these barriers, the Community Services Department, on behalf of the Children's Services Board, developed a pilot RFP that restructured the funding application, evaluation process, and funding model while incorporating capacity-building support.

The funds provided through this innovative approach empowered six local organizations to expand their services, hire staff, and enhance their organizational capacity. In addition to financial support, the Grassroots Funding Opportunity also integrated capacity-building support to help strengthen the funded organizations and build a strong foundation for future funding opportunities. By providing tailored, technical assistance, the Community Services Department is equipping these organizations with the skills and infrastructure needed to transition to traditional funding models. The intentional support of grassroots organizations, many of which emerge organically in response to unique needs, ensures underserved populations can be served by those most in tune to them. This innovative approach has not only strengthened grassroots organizations but also enhanced the overall ecosystem of services available to Boone County children, youth, and families.

NACo recognized award-winning counties on July 13 during its 2025 Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

About the Boone County Community Services Department

The mission of Boone County Community Services Department (BCCSD) is to support the greatest possible level of independence and self-sufficiency of Boone County residents by promoting their physical, mental and social well-being to cultivate a safe and healthy community. The BCCSD oversees funding distributed from the Boone County Children's Services Fund and Domestic Violence Services funding.

About the Boone County Children's Services Board

The mission of the Boone County Children's Services Board (BCCSB) is to improve the lives of children, youth and families in Boone County by strategically investing in the creation and maintenance of integrated systems that deliver effective and quality services for children and families in need. BCCSB oversees revenue collected through the Children's Services Fund sales tax and disburses funding to governmental and nonprofit organizations.

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