Higher Power Garage establishes endowment with JRCF, CFO
Higher Power Garage announced today the establishment of the Higher Power Garage Endowment Fund thanks to generous support by Wes and Jan Houser and the Philanthropic Society of the Joplin Regional Community Foundation.
Through their donor-advised fund with the JRCF, the Housers granted $50,000 to HPG’s endowment.
The Housers have pledged an additional $150,000 to the endowment over the next three years and recently provided similar support for Jasper County CASA.
Along with the Housers, the Philanthropic Society of the JRCF contributed $2,000 to HPG’s endowment. “The Phil” has committed $2,000 to Joplin-area nonprofits if they establish an endowment with the JRCF and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.
Founded in 2020, HPG provides low-cost vehicle repairs and education on financial independence and automotive maintenance to Joplin-area residents. The new endowment will provide sustainable, long-term support for the nonprofit.
“The board and staff of Higher Power Garage are excited to share the news of the generosity of Wes and Jan Houser in establishing the Higher Power Garage Endowment Fund with Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Joplin Regional Community Foundation,” said Mike Gideon, president of HPG. “This endowment will be used to establish a solid financial foundation that will support the mission at HPG for many years to come. We will work to grow this fund to ensure the continued impact in our community by providing transportation assistance through our Low-Cost Repair, Barriers to Work and Educational programs.”
The Higher Power Garage Endowment Fund is held by the JRCF and managed by the CFO. Community members who wish to support HPG’s endowment can make secure, online donations at cfozarks.org/hpg.
How Endowments Work
- Gifts to an endowment are permanently protected.
- The endowment is invested and managed for growth. Historically, the CFO’s investments grow about 7% annually but are subject to market fluctuations.
- Each year, a percentage of the endowment — currently 4% — is available for the agency to use as needed. The agency can use that money or keep it invested.
- As the endowment grows, the amount made available each year grows as well.
About HPG: The mission of Higher Power Garage is to provide safe and reliable transportation to those in need. HPG strives to show God’s love by providing low-cost vehicle repairs for those in need with the belief that through these repairs, life-changing differences are being made.
About the JRCF and the Philanthropic Society: The Joplin Regional Community Foundation, founded in 2006, is an affiliate foundation of the CFO serving Joplin, Carl Junction and Webb City. Its mission is to build and lead a better community through collaboration and charitable giving. The Philanthropic Society is a high-impact giving circle formed by the JRCF in 2018 to respond to emerging community needs by making a significant charitable impact. Since its first grants in 2019, “The Phil” has awarded more than $1,300,000 to nonprofits serving Joplin, Webb City and Carl Junction.
About the CFO: The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is the region’s largest public charitable foundation serving donors, nonprofit partners and 55 regional affiliates with $549 million in assets under management as of June 30, 2025. The CFO’s mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone in central and southern Missouri through resource development, community grantmaking, collaboration and public leadership.