John and Jeanie Morris: Donor Grants

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Bass Pro Shops

FUNDING AREAS: Conservation, Disaster Relief, Missouri Community

OVERVIEW: John Morris and his family move philanthropy through the Johnny Morris Foundation. Morris is an avid conservationist and launched the new Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium.

BACKGROUND: Missouri product John L. Morris graduated from Drury University. He fell in love with the emerging sport of bass fishing in his twenties and spent half a decade on the professional circuit. Morris went on to launch Bass Pro Shops with eight square feet of space in the back of his father's liquor store in 1972. The privately held retailer of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor recreation merchandise now makes billions of dollars annually.

ISSUES:

CONSERVATION: Morris’ parents both had a passion for hunting and fishing, an interest which Morris also shares. Morris is a steady patron of Ducks Unlimited headquartered in Memphis. He’s given the organization between $10 and $20 million through the years. He’s also supported places like National Wild Turkey Federation and International Game Fish Association. In 2018, Morris gave Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida a $1 million gift. Back in the 1980s, Morris was appointed to the board of National Fish and Wildlife Foundation by then President Reagan.

Morris also has an interest in conservation and wildlife attractions. He developed Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Lampe, Missouri and Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve and Native American Museum. He spent $300 million to build a 350,000 square-foot museum and aquarium called Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, or simply Wonders of Life.

DISASTER RELIEF: The family also appears to have an interest in disaster relief. Via their foundation, the Morris family have supported places like St. Bernard Project a nonprofit, disaster relief organization in Louisiana, and Convoy of Hope, a faith-based, humanitarian organization.

MISSOURI COMMUNITY: Morris has supported his alma mater Drury University. Last decade, Morris donated $4 million to establish the Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility (WOLF) School. In 2013, he gave $300,000 to establish a permanent home for the Catch a Dream Foundation, a “nonprofit organization that provides once-in-a-lifetime hunting and fishing trips to children who suffer from life-threatening illnesses.” The family has also directed millions to Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

LOOKING FORWARD: Expect Morris family’s steady work in conservation to continue in particular.

CONTACT:

Johnny Morris Foundation
2500 E Kearney St.
Springfield, MO 65898
(417) 873-5439