SWC Grant Awards History
A History of Success
SWC GRANT AWARDS HISTORY
|
Year |
Range |
Grant Name |
Amount |
|
1997 |
1 |
Collaborative approach to Curriculum Development (State) |
$65,000 |
|
1998 |
1 |
Technology Training and Technical Support (State) |
$75,000 |
|
2002 |
5 |
Ozark Rural Systemic Initiative |
$3,634,444 |
|
2003 |
3 |
Ozarks and the Nation |
$772,053 |
|
2004 |
5 |
Great American Lives |
$999,998 |
|
2005 |
3 |
Documenting the Past |
$998,353 |
|
2005 |
3 |
Echoes of the Past, Prelude to the Future |
$999,698 |
|
2008 |
3 |
Traveling America's C's Change and Continuity (3 C's) |
$997,747 |
|
2008 |
3 |
Emergency Preparedness REMS Grant |
$500,000 |
|
2009 |
5 |
Traveling America's C's (5 C's) |
$1,675,135 |
|
2009 |
3 |
Preserving America's Midwestern Heritage |
$990,308 |
|
2010 |
3 |
What is an American? |
$990,164 |
|
2013 |
5 |
Project LINC - SLP Grant |
$2,274,165 |
|
2019 |
5 |
MoACT-TQP Grant (Oct 2019 - Sept 2024) |
$3,743,791 |
|
2023 |
5 |
* MHSP Grant – Mental Health:(April 2023) - $2,503,284 Grant cancelled after completion of year 3 |
$4,213,662 |
|
2024 |
5 |
* MoACT - TQP Grant (Oct 2024 - Sept 2029) - $754,000 Grant cancelled February 2025 |
$4,237,200 |
|
$29,173,940 |
|||
The Southwest Center: Navigating Challenges, Sustaining Impact
Since its founding in 1997, the Southwest Center (SWC) has secured an extraordinary $29,973,140 in grant funding. Over the past 28 years, the organization has successfully managed two state grants and fourteen federal grants, ensuring that students, teachers, and schools across southwest Missouri benefit from high-quality professional development and innovative programming.
From the beginning, the SWC’s financial stability has been closely tied to grant opportunities. Recognizing the uncertainty that comes with competitive funding, the Center established a safety net system to maintain operations in times when new grants are pending. This foresight has allowed the SWC to remain a steady resource for districts, even during periods without active awards.
A Difficult Year
The year 2025 brought unexpected challenges. In February 2025, SWC leadership was notified that its most recent grant, a 2024 Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grant—a five-year award—was being cancelled immediately. One month later, news arrived that the Mental Health Service Providers (MHSP) grant—a five-year award—would be terminated at the end of its third year (December 2025).
The TQP grant supported paraprofessionals working to become certified teachers and the MHSP grant supported certified teachers pursuing counseling certification. The grants aimed to shore up the field with additional teachers and counselors at a time when both roles are difficult to fill.
Resilience and Commitment
Although these setbacks are difficult, the SWC remains steadfast in its mission. The organization’s history demonstrates both resilience and innovation in the face of funding shifts. By maintaining strong partnerships with member districts and exploring new grant opportunities, the Southwest Center continues to ensure that educators and students in southwest Missouri have access to the support they need.
