Grants

Community Development

El Dorado Springs Affiliate Grantmaking Program

Up to $2,500 |Due by: October 15, 2026

The El Dorado Springs Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for individuals in Cedar County through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership. 501(c)3 organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts and churches) serving El Dorado Springs are eligible to apply.

Guidelines:

• The El Dorado Springs Community Foundation has an interest in supporting organizations and projects which enhance the lives of El Dorado Springs residents and provide innovative solutions for existing and emerging community needs.
• Total amount one applicant can request is $3,000.00.
• Contact Kay Forest with questions about this grant program (417-321-4815).
• Contact Latesa Carter with questions about the application process or with technical questions (417-864-6199).

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Community Development

Owensville Area Affiliate Grantmaking Program

$750 |Due by: October 15, 2026

The Owensville Area Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for individuals in the Owensville area through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership. 501(c)3 organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts and churches) serving the Owensville area are eligible to apply.

• Applicants who serve the Owensville area are encouraged to apply.
• Agencies may request up to $750.
• Contact Kyle Lairmore from the Owensville Area Community Foundation with questions about this grant program (573-291-9147).
• Contact Latesa Carter with Community Foundation of the Ozarks with questions about the application process or with technical questions (417-864-6199).

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Community Development

Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program

Up to $10,000 |Due by: October 19, 2026

The Nixa Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for individuals in the Nixa area through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership. Public 501(c)(3) organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts, and churches) serving the Nixa area are eligible to apply.

Preference will be given to the following areas of interest: Culture - Economic Development - Education - Environment - Family - Health & Wellness. While these are areas of strong interest to the Nixa Community Foundation, requests need not be limited to those interests.

Further details about the grant program are as follows:

• Applicants may apply for up to $10,000 in funding for this grant cycle.
• Contact Sarah Gill with questions about this grant program.
• Contact Latesa Carter for questions about the application process or with technical questions (417-864-6199).

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Schools and Education

Clinton & Nancy Schilling Technical Educational Grant Program

Up to $50,000 |Due by: October 21, 2026

The Clinton and Nancy Schilling Community Fund, a fund of the Lockwood Community Foundation, seeks to support vocational and technical education for the Tri-County area, defined as Jasper, Barton and Dade counties through impactful grantmaking. Eligible organizations, including public 501(c)3 organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts), serving Jasper, Barton and Dade counties are encouraged to apply.  

Important notes before applying: 

• Applicants can apply for up to $50,000

• Grants received must be spent within one year of receipt. Recipients will be expected to provide a detailed follow-up report after one year.

  Funding priorities are outlined below:
   

• Purchasing of equipment for classrooms/ hands on education for students
• Purchasing of curriculum for students
• Continuing education stipends for educators
• Support for sending students to trade shows, competitions, conferences, etc.
• Capital requests if nearing the end of the campaign.
• Facility renovations

Contact Latesa Carter for questions about the grant program, eligible projects, the application process, or with technical questions (417-864-6199).

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Community Development

Barton County Affiliate Grantmaking Program

$4,000 |Due by: October 26, 2026

The Barton County Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for individuals in the Barton County region through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership. Public 501(c)(3) organizations or other IRS approved nonprofit entities serving Barton County are eligible to apply. 

• Applicants who serve Barton County are encouraged to apply.
• The maximum amount one applicant can request is $4,000.
• All requests must be authorized by the grant-seeking organization’s governing board.
• Applicants can't apply for local grants if they received a local grant the previous year.
• Grant funds should be spent within one year, and a final report will be due one year after funds are received when applicable.
• Contact Andrea Lynn (417) 214-2726 with questions about this grant program.
• For technical assistance, please contact Latesa Carter (417) 864-6199. 

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Public Health, Crisis Support

Wayne & Karen Calvert Health and Wellness Fund Grant Program

Up to $10,000 |Due by: October 26, 2026

The Joplin Regional Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for individuals in the Joplin area through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership. The Wayne & Karen Calvert Health and Wellness Fund provides support to organizations and projects for health and wellness in Jasper and Newton counties. 

501(c)(3) public organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts, and churches) serving Jasper and Newton counties are eligible to apply.

• Applicants who serve Jasper and Newton counties are encouraged to apply.
• The maximum request amount is $10,000.
• Grants must be spent within one year of receipt.
• Contact Pete Ramsour with questions about this grant program (417-439-7328).
• Contact Latesa Carter for questions about the application process or with technical questions (417-864-6199).

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Schools and Education, Rural Regional

Coover/RSP Rural Ready Grant Program

Up to $7,000 |Due by: October 27, 2026

In partnership with the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Foundation and Commerce Trust, the CFO is proud to offer the Rural Ready grant program to its rural school partners. The grant program is designed to give rural schools the flexibility to address the needs and opportunities that matter most in their communities. Rural Ready grants will support projects that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, experiences, and relationships they need to thrive in our ever-changing world while strengthening the communities they call home. 

Please note: Eligible applicants must be members of the CFO’s Rural Schools Partnership. Not sure if your school is a member? Contact Beth Hughs at bhughs@cfozarks.org or 417-864-6199. 

Eligible proposals may include but are not limited to the following:

• Youth Markets & Economic Development
• Career & Workforce Readiness
• Community Connection & Engagement
• Community Improvement & Volunteer Service

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Animal Welfare

Community Foundation of the Lake Karen Jean Rudek Fund Grant Program

Up to $10,000 |Due by: October 29, 2026

The Community Foundation of the Lake works to improve the quality of life for individuals in the Lake of the Ozarks area through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership. The Karen Jean Rudek Fund provides support for horse and dog shelters, sanctuaries, and rescue facilities with preference given to Lake of the Ozarks organizations. 501(c)(3) public organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts, and churches) serving the service area are eligible to apply.

• Agencies which apply must be horse and/or dog shelters, sanctuaries, or rescue facilities.
• Preference is given for organizations which are located in the Lake of the Ozarks area.
• Applicants may apply for up to $10,000 in funding for this grant cycle.
• Contact David Boyd with questions about this grant program (417-569-9880).
• Contact Latesa Carter with questions about the application process or with technical questions (417-864-6199).
   

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Community Development

Houston Affiliate Grantmaking Program

$1,500 |Due by: November 2, 2026

The Houston Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for individuals in Houston through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership. 501(c)3 public organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts and churches) serving Houston are eligible to apply.

• Applicants which are located within the city of Houston are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants may apply for up to $1,500 in funding for this grant cycle.
• Contact Ross Richardson with questions about this grant program (817-403-7203).
• Contact Latesa Carter for questions about the application process or with technical questions (417-864-6199).

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Environment and Conservation, Public Health, +3 more

Regional Everyone Outdoors Grant Program

up to $10,000 |Due by: November 12, 2026

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is committed to connecting our region's residents to the abundant natural resources and outdoor community programming. Eligible organizations (nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, government entities, school districts, or tax-exempt faith-based organizations) in the CFO's service area are encouraged to apply. This includes rural Missouri south of the Missouri River and outside the metro areas of St. Louis and Kansas City. For more information about the CFO service area, see our website.

Ideal projects will focus on engaging residents, particularly individuals living in low-income and high-density neighborhoods, with the Ozarks outdoors. Examples of potential programs may include: educational environmental programs, expansion of staff time for existing outdoor programming, the purchase of outdoor equipment for public usage, and supplies for outdoor neighborhood gathering space enhancement. The CFO welcomes innovative ideas which support outdoor community placemaking. 

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Community Development

Mountain Grove Area Affiliate Grantmaking Program

$2,000 |Due by: November 23, 2026

The Mountain Grove Area Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for individuals in the Mountain Grove area through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership. 501(c)3 public organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts and churches) serving the Mountain Grove Area are eligible to apply.

• Applicants who serve the Mountain Grove area are encouraged to apply.
• Agencies may request up to $2,000.
• Contact Dr. David Barbe from Mountain Grove Area Community Foundation with questions about this grant program (417-838-0311).
• Contact Latesa Carter with Community Foundation of the Ozarks with questions about the application process or with technical questions (417-864-6199).

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Springfield Metro, Community Development, +6 more

Jewell Schweitzer Quality of Life Grant Program

$130,000 |Due by: December 3, 2026

Agencies seeking to make positive impact on key issues in Springfield-Greene County are invited to apply to the Jewell Schweitzer Quality of Life Grant Program. 

Proposals must address red flag issues noted in the 2026 Community Focus Report, which was released October 2, 2026. Nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, government entities, school districts, or tax-exempt faith-based organizations serving Springfield-Greene County are invited to apply. The maximum request amount is $30,000.
 

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