2022 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award Finalist: Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks

$7M
Since its founding in 1999 by Mary Beth O’Reilly, Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks has provided over $7 million in direct financial help to patients diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as their families. That includes assistance for short-term, nonmedical needs such as car payments, housing expenses, groceries and utilities.

PROGRAMMING
To generate additional revenue, BCFO is promoting Missouri Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits to help fund its free mammogram screening program. Officials say the nonprofit wants to expand its mammogram program beyond southwest Missouri. It has received nearly $1 million in donations and seeks an additional $200,000 by year’s end. The program offers a 50% tax credit to businesses that donate to nonprofits.

ENDOWMENT
Shortly after beginning the organization, O’Reilly – a breast cancer survivor – created the Legacy of Hope endowment fund. The endowment, which she said grew to $1 million about four years after the nonprofit’s start, has increased this year to $23 million.

26%
While households served by BCFO dipped to 298 in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, it increased roughly 26% last year. Of those households, 194 children were served last year – easily exceeding the prior record of 148 in 2016, according to nonprofit officials. Despite unique challenges caused by the pandemic, BCFO has not turned away any eligible client or cut back on services.