Perspectives on Prosperity and Transformation
We believe in the power of knowledge-sharing to multiply impact and foster new thinking about central Missouri's most pressing challenges.
What Could Be Built Here:
Growth, systems, and community in Columbia
Columbia's empty lots and stalled community projects reflect a broader challenge: we've inherited systems that make building meaningful things harder than it should be. Executive Director Andrew Grabau of the William Guitar Little Foundation argues that instead of accepting scarcity and saying "it is what it is," Columbia can embrace an "Abundance Agenda" that asks "yes, if" rather than "no, because." While promising initiatives like Boone County's Upward Mobility Initiative and the Boone Impact Group show momentum, truly transforming our community requires local government to enable rather than delay, nonprofits to think beyond sustaining toward transforming, and residents to remain open to growth that serves everyone. The question isn't what we'll say "no" to, but what we'll have the courage to say "yes" to and build together.
Building Pathways to Prosperity
Changing What Holds Us Back
Andrew Grabau examines Columbia's persistent racial disparities in poverty and employment, drawing on insights from researchers like Jonathan Kozol, Robert Putnam, and Raj Chetty to argue for transformational community action. While Columbia's overall poverty rate has declined to 20 percent, Grabau highlights the stark reality that 36 percent of the Black community and 44 percent of Black children still live in poverty, with unemployment rates similarly skewed along racial lines. He calls for a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional government programs, advocating for enhanced educational support, expanded employment opportunities like the underfunded CARE program, and most importantly, a community-wide commitment from businesses, neighborhoods, faith groups, and privileged residents to build the social capital necessary for economic development. Grabou frames this as a moral imperative for those with financial, social, or positional privilege to leverage their resources collaboratively, transforming Columbia's annual report from mere statistics into a roadmap for creating genuine pathways to prosperity for all residents.
Foundation Updates
WGL Foundation Current Board Members
The William Guitar Little Foundation is pleased to have four outstanding leaders serving on the Board of Directors. These members present diverse expertise in business, community, and a passion for service.