Drew Lewis Foundation Inc.

“The board chair and finance committee review the form 990 prior to filing and relay pertinent information back to the full board. All board members may generally review the organization's form 990.”

“Board members annually sign affirmation of compliance with the organization's conflict of interest policies. If a conflict of interest is determined to exist, the board member abstains from voting on any matter in which there is a conflict.”

“The board reviews compensation for all top officials using comparable data from other local and state-wide organizations when determining compensation.”

“Governing documents, conflict of interest policy and form 990 are available upon request.”

“Our mission at the drew lewis foundation is to educate, empower, and support under-served families through personalized programs and coaching to increase quality of life and build resilient communities. To accomplish this, we partner with existing area organizations to establish community hubs, which boost the economic and physical wellbeing of neighborhood residents. We achieve these outcomes through a variety of means, including educational and vocational programs, garden-to-table initiatives, public health services, and community events.”

“Drew lewis foundation continued the 1.3 million grant, the northwest project through 2020 and worked on rebranding the program as the reaching independence through support and education (rise) program. This includes expansion into rural communities in missouri. The program works with families and individuals to overcome challenges of living in poverty through financially supporting weekly community-driven programs. Due to covid-19 the thursday evening community dinners were postponed and large weekly food distributions were organized through the ozark food harvest and the national guard. An average of 900 individuals received weekly food april through august and then monthly september through december. The rise programming on thursday evenings were transferred to online formats and classes continued to work to build social capital while offering education on financial literacy, physical and mental well-being, family dynamics and relationships, and other life skills. Cares act funds were used to incentivize participation and also helped families remained housed and basic needs met through the pandemic. Families were still able to pick up food resources; diaper and hygiene resources as needed through 2020. A loan consolidation and credit repair program with multipli credit union continues to rebank families to set them up for long-term success. Partnerships for the northwest project/rise include over 52 organizations and individuals.”

“Other community initiatives included: 1) vaccination education, vaccination clinics, and other health education and resources were provided online and in person at the fairbanks. 2) hosted 6th annual community fundraising event, fashion forward, which features children of northwest springfield modeling a back-to-school outfit (which they get to keep) in a fashion show and sharing their dreams for the future. This event was virtual in 2020 to protect our families from covid- 19. 3) continued development of "the blue house project" which purchases homes in northwest springfield, updates the homes to modern standards and then offers them on a rent to own basis to northwest project/rise members. The project now owns 6 homes. 1 home was sold to an lmi family. 4) continue programming through missouri foundation for health to implement the healthy homes initiative. The hhi entails home visits and education to address and mitigate issues in the home that can create potential health risks. This is the final year of the funding for this program. 5) grand opening on phase 3 of the fairbanks, expanding office and resource space by 14,000 sq ft 6) strengthened online curriculum and online portal with covid-19 and incorporation of zoom options. Rise continued in aurora and salem and expansion is planned in 5 other rural communities. 7) the fairbanks bike shop, powered by volunteers and supported by sbc athletics community, provides bicycle education, free helmets for kids, free bike repair and low-cost bikes. This program greatly expanding during covid-19”