Missouri

‘Champion of nonprofits’: John Baker to retire from Community Foundation of Central Missouri

Published

11 months ago

January 13, 2024

‘Champion of nonprofits’: John Baker to retire from Community Foundation of Central Missouri

John Baker, executive director of the Community Foundation of Central Missouri, in 2010 was feeling pastoral burnout from his duties as senior pastor at First Baptist Church.

“This is difficult,” Baker said of his decision to leave the church at the time. “Because you have lots of friends, there’s a lot of investment in time and heart and love. Whenever you leave a congregation, there’s always some pain even though there are good things to come.”

He soon would transition, though, in 2011 to head up the relatively new foundation, which aims to “facilitate philanthropy … (making) charitable giving easy, fun, accessible, and having impact.” He took on the directorship following Roger Still, who was in the role for about year.

“He did a lot of the groundwork to get the bylaws done and get things filed,” Baker said about Still.

Baker has led the foundation for 13 years and he recently announced his retirement, set for mid-April.

For eight of Baker’s 13 years as director, Susan Hart has served on the foundation board, and is its chair. Baker is committed to philanthropy in the community and that is his main mission, she said.

“John has built a legacy with the community foundation during his 13 years of tenure. He has put together a strong foundation for us to continue that growth. He will be missed, but we wish him well on his well-deserved retirement,” Hart said.

The foundation board already has started the search for its next director, she added.

A new career

Baker and his wife, Judy, first moved to Columbia in 1997 for the job at First Baptist Church, another role he was in for 13 years, but his overall pastoral career spans 30 years.

“After 30 years, I was just ready to engage in a new career,” Baker said. “A lot of clergy have periods of burnout and that is what I was facing.”

Baker ended up being a match for the community foundation role because much of the work of a minister relates to money, he said, such as through fundraising and stewardship. Related interpersonal skills give a person objectivity when working with others, he added.

Baker’s transition from the church to the foundation was a smooth one, he said, having learned of the foundation after a phone call from a friend. A couple days after that conversation, he had a call from the board, and a couple weeks after that he had the job.

“The way I looked at my leadership of the church was trying to get people to not just stay in the building in the realm of thought, but to move beyond the building and take their compassion, while doing the work of the church, into the community,” Baker said. “I do the same kind of thing with the community foundation, but with funding and not necessarily with people, except for leaders of organizations.”

Founding the foundation

The foundation was established first by the City of Columbia following a vision process from 2008-09, but such an organization was under discussion for at least a decade prior, Baker said.

“The goal at that time was increasing revenue for local nonprofits and what would make donors want to give,” he said. “The community foundation is this perfect vehicle that works both with donors and a way to get revenue to the nonprofits. It was a perfect solution to what people were looking for over the years.”

The foundation officially was established June 2010 and announced by November. When Baker came on as director it would advance to a federally recognized, rather than just a state recognized nonprofit, and expanded its scope from Columbia to instead encompass the central Missouri region.

The foundation currently aids nonprofits in five area counties (Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper and Randolph), though its region is upward of 10 counties, Baker said. Additional counties include Adair, Audrain, Howard, Macon and Moniteau.

“Anything that we do here in Boone County, we can do for those other counties,” Baker said, adding while the foundation takes an objective approach to nonprofit support, it does not aid hate groups or illegal activities.

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation happened in 2012 and a year later the annual giving campaign, CoMoGives, was established in December 2013.

“We have been able to funnel lots of money into the local nonprofit sector,” Baker said about services offered by the foundation. “We can’t track every dollar that has stayed local. That is beyond our accounting abilities because our broad array of services.”

This includes donor-advised funds, which are invested over a longer term and then the foundation is told to which nonprofit the funds should go. For nonprofits or others seeking to establish philanthropic foundations, the community foundation can help those organizations or individuals do the necessary legwork and paperwork involved by establishing a fund through the community foundation. It takes some of that headache away.

“A family that has assets that wants to do something to create a legacy, they don’t necessarily have to create their own foundation. They can create a donor-advised fund with the community foundation and it will act as the charitable focus for that family,” Baker said.

Apart from nonprofits establishing funds with the foundation, it also can provide direct grants. In 2022 about $4.4 million was distributed and 2023 also has seen an impressive year, Baker said.

The direct granting window of community support grants or impact grants from the community foundation usually opens in June, closes in August and awards are provided afterward.

Post-retirement plans

In the initial two weeks following his official end date at the foundation, Baker plans to take it easy. After that, he already has many ways in which he can keep busy.

“I’m a hobbyist. I have lots of hobbies. … I’m kind of a scientist at heart and I like to learn things. What this has resulted in is a quest to do well at what I do and to learn. I’m a woodworker, a beekeeper, a beer brewer, a musician of sorts and an audiophile. I love to garden.

“I don’t think I’ll have any trouble filling my time.”

Baker and his wife, also plan to travel in May. Following that, he plans to explore volunteer opportunities or a part-time job he may want to undertake “to continue to contribute to the world around me,” Baker said.

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.

Source link

Click to comment

Missouri

Vote: Who is Missouri high school quarterback of the year for 2024?

Published

7 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Vote: Who is Missouri high school quarterback of the year for 2024?

Blink and you might’ve missed it, but the action-packed high school football season in Missouri has already come to a close. Previously, High School on SI asked you to vote on the top high school quarterback entering the 2024 season. Now, we’re asking you to vote on the top QB following the year that was.

We’ve compiled 25 of the top performers the state had to offer from the 2024 season. Now we are asking our High School on SI readers to vote which are the best of the best.

Check out our recaps on each player’s 2024 season and vote in the poll below. Voting closes Dec. 31, at 11:59:59 P.M.

Blane Branscum, sr., Rockwood Summit

The ball is the program, and perhaps no one knows that better than Branscum. He completed 61 percent of his passes this season for 2,297 yards, 24 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He led his Falcons to a 9-3 mark before being bounced in the district semifinals by another quarterback on this list.

Brayden Layman, sr., Lee’s Summit

In Layman’s terms, the Tigers quarterback had a fantastic season, passing for 2,577 yards and 27 touchdowns while leading his squad to an 8-3 record. He completed 63 percent of his passes.

Brett Ottensmeyer, jr., Parkway West

The Longhorns went an even 5-5 this season, but Ottensmeyer (6-foot-4, 185 pounds) amassed a whopping 2,484 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air – easily placing him amongst the state’s best performers.

Carson Boyd, sr., Cardinal Ritter [committed to Illinois]

The consensus top quarterback recruit in the state, Boyd (6-0, 180) turned in eye-popping numbers – completing 80 percent of his passes this season for 3,243 yards and 27 touchdowns. A dual threat, Boyd got it done with his legs, too, racking up 1,162 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

Cash Newberry, jr., Glendale

It was a tough season for the Falcons, who finished 3-8 despite dazzling play from their junior quarterback. Newberry netted 2.579 yards passing and 23 touchdowns on just 268 attempts, establishing himself as one of the top players to watch for the 2025 campaign.

Clayton O’Bryan, jr., Fort Zumwalt West

The Jaguars’ signal caller should have plenty of buzz coming off a strong junior campaign. He led his squad to a 7-6 mark behind 2,736 yards passing and 21 touchdowns – including a staggering 332 yards and six touchdowns against Francis Howell North Oct. 4.

Collin Sinclair, jr., Orchard Farm

Sinclair (6-1, 190) stormed onto the scene this season with 2,264 yards passing, 27 touchdowns and only four interceptions to go along with 985 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.

Dakarri Hollis, sr., Lutheran North

Sharing time with sophomore standout Jonathan Moore, the dual-threat veteran still amassed 1,352 yards and 18 touchdowns passing with 895 yards on 110 carries (8.1 average) with 12 rushing touchdowns. A 2-star recruit by 247 Sports, he holds a Division I offer from Miami (OH).

Dillon Duff, sr., De Smet Jesuit [committed to Kansas State]

The 2024 Class 6 state champion and Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 6 Offensive Player of the Year selection, Duff (6-2, 200) guided the 13-2 Spartans with 2,735 yards and 26 touchdowns passing. He also carried the ball 80 times for 666 yards and nine touchdowns.

Dylan Washick, soph., Monett

One of five sophomores on the list, Washick had a season to remember for the Cubs in coach Ben Mauk’s new offense. Standing in at 6-2, 165, Washick amassed 3,269 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Gavin Johnston, sr., Mount Vernon

One of the top quarterbacks in Southwest Missouri, Johnson led the Mountaineers to a 9-4 mark in 2024 behind 2,850 yards passing and 28 touchdowns.

Hoyt Gregory, sr., North Point [committed to Lindenwood]

A hard commit to nearby Lindenwood University, Gregory (6-4, 215) helped the Grizzlies to seven wins while passing for 2,677 yards, 31 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also rushed for 500 yards and three touchdowns.

Hudson Bailey, jr., St. Pius X (KC)

The imposing 6-3, 185 signal caller amassed 2,015 yards and a heaping 33 touchdowns through the air this season. His play helped lead the Warriors (10-2) to a perfect 6-0 mark in the Midland Empire District and an appearance in the third round of the Missouri Class 5 playoffs.

Jack Behl, sr., Lafayette (Wildwood)

While guiding the Lancers to a 12-2 mark and an appearance in the Class 5 final four, Behl passed for 3,428 yards – second-highest total in the state – and accounted for 32 touchdowns (26 passing, 6 rushing).

Jonathan Moore, soph., Lutheran North

One of the youngest players on this list, Moore (6-0, 200) led his Crusaders to a 13-1 mark and the Class 4 championship with one of the best seasons of any quarterback in the state. Completing passes at a 63.9 percent clip, Moore racked up 2,350 yards and 41 touchdowns through the air. He added 609 yards on the ground with seven touchdowns.

Adam McKnight, soph., Nixa

Get used to seeing McKnight’s name on this list. Guiding an offense featuring one of the most talented offensive lines in the state, McKnight’s talent was highlighted as he steered his team to a 14-1 season and a Class 6 runner-up finish. The dual threat passed for 1,733 yards and 22 touchdowns (3 interceptions) and rushed for 608 yards and eight touchdowns.

Kaden Clouse, sr., Seneca

Hidden along the Oklahoma line in the southwest corner of the state, Clouse stepped up on the big stage and proved why he’s one of the state’s top dual-threat quarterbacks yet again. In leading his Seneca team to a state runner-up finish in Class 3, Clouse amassed 2,834 yards of offense (1,132 yards rushing, 1,702 rushing) and accounted for 36 touchdowns (18 passing, 18 rushing).

Kobe Westphal, sr., Warrensburg

Led his Tigers to an 11-2 mark and the Class 4 quarterfinals behind a season that puts him among the state’s elite. Completing a staggering 75 percent of his passes, Westphal amassed 2053 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air, while adding 1,405 yards on the ground (8.7 average) and an additional 19 touchdowns.

Michael Scott, soph., Odessa

The newcomer made a name for himself this season, passing for 2,493 yards and 29 touchdowns for the seven-win Bulldogs.

Nick McClellan, jr., Christian Brothers

Ultimate protector of the football, McClellan (6-0, 180) guided the Cadets (10-2) to a district crown and a third-round finish in the Class 5 playoffs. He passed for 2,062 yards, 22 touchdowns and only one interception while adding 891 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

Owen Nesslage, sr., Kirkwood

While he didn’t factor much in the ground game, Nesslage more than made up for it with his arm. A regarded baseball recruit signed to Division-II Maryville, the 6-6, 210 southpaw turned heads on the football field this season with 3,991 yards, 39 touchdowns and only nine interceptions to lead the 10-3 Pioneers.

Preston Brown, sr., Hillsboro [committed to North Dakota State]

Brown was off to a fine start before an injury cut short his season after just six games. Despite that, he still managed to surpass 1,500 all-purpose yards, as he passed for 952 (and seven touchdowns) while rushing for 591 (10 touchdowns). The injury shouldn’t keep a player of Brown’s caliber off this list.

Rocco Marriott, jr., Platte County

There’s a reason why Marriott (6-4, 203) has received Division I offers from the likes of Kent and UNLV. Talented in all phases, Marriott led the Pirates to a perfect 14-0 season and the Class 5 championship, passing for 3,077 yards and 39 touchdowns (five interceptions) and rushing for 627 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Spensar Sieger, sr., Fair Grove

Forget calling him one of the best quarterbacks in the state, Sieger is one of the best overall athletes in the state. A dual threat at quarterback and a difference maker on defense for the Eagles, Sieger (6-3, 185) led his team to a 14-1 mark and a spot as Class 2 runner-up. He amassed 3,221 yards of offense (2,233 passing, 988 rushing) and 47 touchdowns (32 passing, 15 rushing).

Zane Thomas, jr., Park Hill

Guiding his Class 6 Trojans to a district title and a 9-3 record, Thomas passed for 3,231 yards and 38 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.

Source link

Missouri

Missouri lottery player wins $3 million, jumpstarts retirement dream

Published

14 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Missouri lottery player wins million, jumpstarts retirement dream

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A Missouri resident plans to retire after stopping at a Clay County grocery store.

The winner purchased “$3 Million Supreme” scratchers ticket at the Price Chopper on Barry Road in Kansas City.

“I scratched the ticket before heading home,” the winner shared. “I knew I won, but the whole drive home I had a strange feeling something wasn’t right with that ticket.”

The winner thought he won $3,000 but after taking a closer look he realized he won $3 million.

ALSO READ: Andrew Lester’s attorney motions to prevent Ralph Yarl from being labeled ‘victim’

“I called my son and asked him if he was sitting down,” he said. “I’m pretty sure he fell out of his chair when I told him I won and I am finally retiring!”

Clay County residents have won more than $29.6 million in Missouri Lottery prizes in 2024.

Retailers received 43.1 millions and $10.1 has gone to education programs.

ALSO READ: 19-year-old who stole child’s backpack at gunpoint found, arrested in Missouri

Source link

Missouri

Missouri Immunization Coalition advises to stay ahead of RSV this winter (LISTEN) – Missourinet

Published

22 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Missouri Immunization Coalition advises to stay ahead of RSV this winter (LISTEN) – Missourinet

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can cause severe illness, especially in infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Joining Show Me Today is Dr. Laura Morris with MU Heath, who is speaking on behalf of the Missouri Immunization Coalition to provide insight on the safety, effectiveness, and availability of RSV vaccines, particularly for high-risk groups like pregnant women, older adults, and young children.

Source link