Grants

Accessibility, Inclusion and Belonging

Welcoming Communities Grant Program

Up to $25,000 |Due by: September 17, 2026

The Welcoming Communities Grant Program will work to bring awareness of issues of access and inclusion to public light while impacting and improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals.

• Agencies focusing on creating a sense of belonging as the organization's primary goal will be prioritized for funding in this grant program.
• Public 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.
• A total of $135,000 is available in the Welcoming Communities Grant Program, with awards capped at $25,000.
• Applications are due by 11:45 p.m. on September 17, 2026 .
• This program does not involve a matching component from the CFO; however, other matching, leverage, and in-kind opportunities are encouraged and may be outlined in the grant application.
• For questions regarding this grant program, please contact Marie Drenon (417-864-6199).
• For technical support assistance, please contact Latesa Carter (417-864-6199).

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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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Faith, Specialty

Cardinals Fly Together Fund - Worship Wednesday Grants

Ongoing

The Springfield Cardinals Fly Together Fund has been created to provide grants to area nonprofit organizations as an opportunity for fans to attend a Springfield Cardinals home game. Attending an event together is shown to strengthen and develop relationships in our community. 

Recognized houses of worship and faith-based organizations with 501(c)3 status may apply for a matching grant to assist in bringing a group to any Worship Wednesday home game during the 2026 season. Worship Wednesday is scheduled to take place on select Wednesday night games throughout the season and will include a short message in addition to pre-game worship music taking place during pre-game. Then, stay for an evening of fellowship with your group at a Springfield Cardinals baseball game.

Matching grants may be awarded as full or partial requests to provide an amount equal to the amount contributed by the organization for a Springfield Cardinals Worship Wednesday event. 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.

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 Inclusion & Belonging Grant Program supports small grant requests to ensure inclusive participation and engagement in local communities.

• Applicants who serve the CFO service area are encouraged to apply.
• The total amount available is $90,000; applicants may apply for up to $3,000 in funding per agency per fiscal year.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the funds are fully spent or the program closes on May 6, 2027.
• Applications are reviewed within about eight to ten weeks of submission.
• Contact mdrenon@cfozarks.org with questions about this grant program (417-864-6199).
• Contact Latesa Carter for questions about the application process or with technical support questions (417-864-6199).

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Specialty, End of Life Support

Indigent Cremation Reimbursement Grant (for county coroner offices)

Ongoing

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, which is open to the CFO’s entire service area, 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.
• This is a one-time grant. Agencies may not submit multiple requests in the same fiscal year.
• The maximum request amount is $3,000.00.
• Final reports will be due 6 months after funding is awarded.

Completed and submitted applications will be sent to the committee for review 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.

Specialty, End of Life Support

The Senior and Dorinda’s Dream Funds 

Ongoing

The Dorinda's Dream Fund and the Senior Dream Fund were established to provide financial support for end of life wishes of adults diagnosed with a terminal illness who are under hospice care. The Dorinda's Dream fund supports patients who are between the ages of 18-65; the Senior Dreams Fund supports patients over the age of 65. These funds primarily support partial or full airline ticket costs of a loved one or an applicant/patient to make a final connection before the passing of said patient; however, applications for a meaningful activity for the patient may also be submitted.