It is the mission of the Community Cares Program to support not-for-profit organizations serving the citizens of Laclede County by providing necessary funding in order to preserve, protect and encourage participation in activities that enrich our lives and increase our community awareness.

As part of the Lebanon Area Foundation, the Community Cares program was established to assist charitable organizations with funding by offering monetary grants to support vital community projects and services. The program offers assistance to those qualifying non-profit agencies serving Lebanon and Laclede County residents. Community Cares, established in 2000, has provided our community the ability to link resources with needs and offer hope for building a stronger and healthier community by tackling critical health and human service issues. Fifty-three different programs have received grants since the program’s inception, with over $593,000 being invested back into the community (2000-2007). We feel that we are truly making a difference in the lives of our neighbors by keeping the funding in our own community.

Community Cares is a program that relies on the combined efforts of community members and organizations. Although donations are accepted year round, the largest fundraising event is the annual community wide campaign drive traditionally held September through December. The program accepts donations at all giving levels and relies on the philanthropic commitment of each citizen. Individuals and corporations in our community are asked to help support the program by contributing a one-time gift or participating in payroll deduction.

The contributions raised through December will then be distributed back to the community the following year by supporting non-profit agencies that have applied for grants and have been recommended to the Board of Directors after evaluation by a Distribution Committee. Community Cares holds each agency accountable for the funding they receive by requiring reports that ask how the funds are being used and how many people they are impacting.