Grants

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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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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Specialty, Holocaust Education, +2 more

Holocaust Education Grantmaking Program

Up to $3,000 |Due by: June 1, 2027

The Holocaust Education Grantmaking Program seeks to support educators, faith leaders, and concerned individuals to visit and learn at either the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum or the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C by supporting travel expenses. Public 501(c)3 organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts and churches) are eligible to apply.

• Applicants who serve the CFO service area are encouraged to apply.
• Applications are reviewed within six weeks of submission.
• Contact Latesa Carter for questions about the grant program or application process or with technical questions (417-864-6199).

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Youth Orthdontics, Children and Youth, +1 more

Charles L. and Dorothy Weaver Memorial Orthodontic Grant

Ongoing

Provides three scholarships annually for full treatment orthodontic services for individuals within the age range of 10 to 30 years. Applications are due March 31, and decisions are made in August. 

Schools and Education, Children and Youth, +1 more

Dan Armstrong Legacy Foundation Grant Program

Ongoing

Established in loving memory of educator and coach Dan Armstrong, the Foundation provides financial assistance to schools and organizations providing opportunities for local youth to improve their athletic skills, enhance basic fundamentals of their sports, and support character development. 

Grants from the Foundation provide support for sports camps and clinics, instruction fees, equipment and uniforms for Carthage area youth. 

Children and Youth, Environment and Conservation, +2 more

Explore the Ozarks Fund Grant 

Ongoing

Accessibility, Inclusion and Belonging

Inclusion & Belonging Grant Program

Up to $3,000 |Ongoing

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is committed to achieving a positive impact with regard to issues of inclusion and belonging in communities across the CFO's service area. 

The Inclusion & Belonging Grant Program supports small grant requests to ensure inclusive participation and engagement in local communities. Agencies may request funding to support expenses related to ensuring a broad range of perspectives are represented in leadership roles and the community, and that students are provided with fair and inclusive opportunities for community engagement and leadership. Agencies may also apply for event expenses that ensure visible representations of belonging in the Ozarks.

Important notes to consider before applying:

• 501(c)(3) organizations or other IRS-approved entities (government entities, school districts, and churches) serving the CFO's service area are eligible to apply. 
• The CFO will confirm your 501(c)3 nonprofit status using Candid and will contact your organization if there are any issues.
• A total of $90,000 is available; awards are capped at $3,000 per agency per fiscal year.
• Agencies may not submit multiple requests in the same fiscal year. 
• Final reports will be due 6 months after funding is awarded. Grant awards of $1,000 or less do not require a final report.

In awarding grants, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its affiliates will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Grantees must not, in the use of CFO grant funds, discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status either in its employment practices or in its policies and procedures concerning access to services.

PLEASE NOTE: 

• This grant application system uses a character count on all grant questions. This character count includes letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation.
• Please be sure to click the submit button to complete and submit the form. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been successfully received.

Contact Marie Drenon with questions about this grant program (417-864-6199).
Contact Latesa Carter for questions about the application process or with technical questions (417-864-6199).

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the funds are fully spent or the application closes for the fiscal year on May 6, 2027. Applications typically begin the review process within eight to ten weeks of submission.

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Specialty, End of Life Support

Indigent Cremation Reimbursement Grant (for county coroner offices)

Ongoing

Schools and Education, Children and Youth, +1 more

Ozarks Springbirds Fly Together Fund — School Matching Grants

Ongoing

The Ozarks Springbirds Fly Together Fund has been created to provide grants to area schools to give students the opportunity to attend a Springbirds (AA Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) home baseball game. Educational Day Field Trips are an excellent opportunity to incorporate learning through various pre-game educational topics along with the experience of attending a live sporting event.   

Matching grants may be awarded as full or partial requests to provide an amount equal to the amount contributed by the school for a Springbirds educational day field trip. For example, a full grant will cover 50% of the ticket cost for tickets requested through the grant. A partial grant will cover 25% of the ticket cost for tickets requested through the grant. (Transportation costs and food & beverage expenses are the responsibility of the school and not included in the grant.)

Pediatric Cancer Support, Cancer Treatment Support, +2 more

Paisley Collins Memorial Foundation 

Up to $1,500 per year |Ongoing

Application for assistance is based on current or on going consequences of treatment related to pediatric (age 18 years or younger) cancer. Applications for assistance will be individually evaluated by a committee after completion of the form and verification from your health care provider concerning your child’s cancer status. Information provided in this application is strictly confidential and will be used only for the purpose of grantmaking by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

Crisis Support, Disaster Recovery, +1 more

Rapid Response Grant Program

Up to $3,000 |Ongoing

This opportunity provides one-time support to agencies with urgent, unanticipated needs such as: loss of federal and/or state funding, natural or man-made disasters, time-sensitive opportunities for collaboration or innovation, etc.

Important notes to consider before applying:

• 501(c)(3) organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts, and churches) serving the CFO's service area are eligible to apply.
• The CFO will confirm your 501(c)3 nonprofit status using Candid and will contact your organization if there are any issues.
• This is a one-time grant. Agencies may not submit multiple requests in the same fiscal year.
• A total of $100,000 is available for the fiscal year, and the maximum request for the grant is capped at $3,000.00. 
• Final reports will be due 6 months after funding is awarded. Grant awards of $1,000 or less do not require a final report.

In awarding grants, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its affiliates will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Grantees must not, in the use of CFO grant funds, discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status either in its employment practices or in its policies and procedures concerning access to services.

PLEASE NOTE:

• This grant application system uses a character count on all grant questions. This character count includes letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation.
• Please be sure to click the submit button to complete and submit the form. You will receive a confirmation email when your application has been successfully received.

Contact Marie Drenon with questions about this grant program (417-864-6199).
Contact Latesa Carter for questions about the application process or with technical questions (417-864-6199).

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the funds are fully spent or the application closes for the fiscal year on June 1, 2027. Applications typically begin the review process the first Tuesday of each month.

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Medical Support, Cancer Treatment Support, +1 more

Shelly Sachs Foundation for Cancer Treatment Support

Up to $300 |Ongoing

Applications for assistance are based on current or ongoing consequences of treatment related to cancer. Applications for assistance will be individually evaluated by a committee after completion of this form and verification from your health care provider concerning your cancer status. Preference is given to, but not limited to, those residing in Christian, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Jasper, Newton, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster, and Wright counties. The maximum amount available is $300. Information provided in this application is strictly confidential and will be used only for the purpose of grant-making by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. The CFO pays to invoice only. Cash will not be provided.