Grant Programs Overview
Find Current GrantsDescriptions of the CFO’s grant programs are listed below. Visit our online grantmaking portal for current cycles.
The CFO supports community grantmaking programs throughout central and southern Missouri.
These efforts include affiliate community foundations, Metropolitan Springfield, the Missouri Ozarks region, the Youth Empowerment Project program and various specialized fund and grant rounds. The CFO’s fiscal year begins on July 1 and grant programs and deadlines for upcoming fiscal year are announced in early July each year. We invite you to look at all opportunities, which fall into three general categories. Please contact Vice President of Programs Bridget Dierks with any questions.
In awarding grants, the CFO will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. As part of the grant process, all grantees will be required to affirm that, in providing services funded in whole or in part by a CFO grant, the grantee will not 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.
Metropolitan Springfield Grants
Regional & Affiliate Grants
Specialty Grants
Metropolitan Springfield Grantmaking Programs
Metropolitan Springfield grant programs are exclusively for agencies serving Springfield and Greene County. Many of these programs support innovative concepts, encourage collective impact models and focus on addressing the Red Flags identified in the Community Focus Report for Springfield and Greene County.
Currently Open
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Total available: $120,000
- Maximum request: $25,000
- Deadline: Oct. 3
Ideal proposals include those that:
- Bring awareness of diversity and inclusion to light while improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals.
- Affect systems and norms with short-term changes in issue visibility, interim changes in norms and practices, and ultimately long-term changes which improve the region.
- Increase civic participation, change public norms and improve community conditions for marginalized communities.
Agencies with a focus on equity as the primary goal of the organization will be prioritized. This program seeks to include a broad range of inclusion work to ensure that all in our service area feel a sense of belonging.
Inclusion & Belonging
- Total available: $40,000
- Maximum request: $3,000
- Deadline: Applications reviewed and awarded through May 1, 2025
This program supports small grant requests throughout the year to ensure equitable participation and engagement in local communities across the region. Agencies may apply to support expenses that ensure diverse voices are represented in community leadership roles and students are provided equitable opportunities for community engagement and leadership. Agencies also may apply for event expenses that ensure visible representations of belonging.
Holocaust Education
- Total available: $2,500
- Maximum request: None
- Deadline: Applications reviewed and awarded through May 1, 2025.
Grants will cover travel and lodging expenses so educators, faith leaders and concerned individuals can visit the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., in order to educate others about the Nazi Holocaust and other genocides and war crimes.
Opening Soon
Jewell Schweitzer Collective Impact
- Opens: Aug. 1
- Total available: $130,000
- Maximum request: $30,000
- Deadline: Nov. 7
Building on the perennial Blue Ribbon of collaboration, this program funds collaborative efforts of three or more organizations that address Red Flags from the most recent Community Focus Report for Springfield & Greene County. The lead applicant must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit or educational, faith-based or municipal agency with similar charitable status, but the partners can be businesses or volunteer groups.
- For info about the Collective Impact model, visit the Collective Impact Forum.
- The program is named in memory of Jewell Thompson Schweitzer, a significant donor to the CFO, who left several bequests to the CFO in her estate that significantly increased the CFO’s unrestricted grantmaking endowment.
Everyone Outdoors
The CFO will launch a new grant program for projects that connect Springfield/Greene County residents with nature and outdoor recreation. Opens Oct. 1.
SRAC Arts & Culture Grant Program
The CFO, Springfield Regional Arts Council and the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation partner on a grant program for SRAC’s nonprofit members. Opens in early 2025.
Regional & Affiliate Grantmaking
Currently Open
Regional Affiliate Foundation Community Grantmaking
The CFO’s regional affiliate foundations each administer grant programs to benefit their respective communities. To find a community grant program in your area, please visit the affiliate overview or the list of programs currently open.
L-A-D Foundation Grant Program
- Total available: $55,000
- Maximum request: $10,000
- Deadline: Aug. 30
The L-A-D Foundation seeks innovative projects that support conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the Missouri Ozarks. Projects may include environmental and conservation education, grassroots organizing, new program start-up costs, capital support, seed money, and workshops. No requests for annual or operating support or support for social events or benefits are considered. Eligible organizations include those whose work benefits the natural and cultural resources of the Missouri Ozarks in its 12-county service area (Carter, Crawford, Dent, Madison, Maries, Oregon, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Ste. Genevieve, Shannon, and Texas counties) and align with the mission of the L-A-D Foundation.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Total available: $120,000
- Maximum request: $25,000
- Deadline: Oct. 3
Ideal proposals include those that:
- Bring awareness of diversity and inclusion to light while improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals.
- Affect systems and norms with short-term changes in issue visibility, interim changes in norms and practices, and ultimately long-term changes which improve the region.
- Increase civic participation, change public norms and improve community conditions for marginalized communities.
Agencies with a focus on equity as the primary goal of the organization will be prioritized. This program seeks to include a broad range of inclusion work to ensure that all in our service area feel a sense of belonging.
Inclusion & Belonging
- Total available: $40,000
- Maximum request: $3,000
- Deadline: Applications reviewed and awarded through May 1, 2025
This program supports small grant requests throughout the year to ensure equitable participation and engagement in local communities across the region. Agencies may apply to support expenses that ensure diverse voices are represented in community leadership roles and students are provided equitable opportunities for community engagement and leadership. Agencies also may apply for event expenses that ensure visible representations of belonging.
Holocaust Education
- Total available: $2,500
- Maximum request: None
- Deadline: Applications reviewed and awarded through May 1, 2025.
Grants will cover travel and lodging expenses so educators, faith leaders and concerned individuals can visit the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., in order to educate others about the Nazi Holocaust and other genocides and war crimes.
Opening Soon
Coover Regional Grant Program
The CFO’s long-running partnership with the Louis L. & Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation and Commerce Trust supports transformative projects for rural communities. Opens in September.
Coover Regional/Rural Schools Partnership Grant Program
The CFO, Coover Charitable Foundation and Commerce Trust also partner on a grant round for schools in the CFO’s Rural Schools Partnerships. Opens in early 2025.
SRAC Arts & Culture Grant Program
The CFO, Springfield Regional Arts Council and the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation partner on a grant program for SRAC’s nonprofit members. Opens in early 2025.
Specialty Grants
The Community Foundation of Ozarks manages specialty grant funds established by donors who would like to have a positive impact on a specific field of donor interest. These funds are for a large spectrum of community needs and are sometimes relatively specific in their purpose. Please note the following grant programs and their purposes, which have varying due dates.
Unless otherwise noted, contact Rachel Tripp for more information on the Specialty Grants.
Charles L. and Dorothy Weaver Memorial Orthodontic Grant
Support for orthodontic services
The Weaver Orthodontic Grant provides three scholarships annually for full-treatment orthodontic services for individuals age 10–30 in the southern Missouri Ozarks region who meet the following criteria:
- Applicant must be within the age range of 10 to 30 years of age, with a full set of permanent teeth already in place.
- Applicant must be within the service area of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (southern Missouri Ozarks region).
- Applicant must be within driving range of and the ability to travel to the participating orthodontist’s offices in the Springfield Metro Area for the full 20 to 30+ month timeline for optimum treatment outcomes and must have a means of transportation to orthodontic appointments through a parent or guardian or have the ability to self-transport.
- Applicants must have access to a general dentist who will continue to provide cleaning and maintenance requirements during the span of treatment by the orthodontist.
- Financial need of applicant must be established through eligibility for participation in the Federal Free Lunch program through the school they attend or, if not in school, proof of qualification for Medicaid.
Contact: Ashley Fleming
Cardinals Fly Together Fund — School Matching Grant
Matching grants for southwest Missouri schools to attend Springfield Cardinals home games
The Cardinals Fly Together Fund supports philanthropic initiatives by the Springfield Cardinals. The fund provides matching grants for public and private schools with 501(c)3 status in southwest Missouri to attend educational day game field trips. Transportation costs are the responsibility of the school. Preference will be given to districts with higher need based on Free and Reduced Lunch criteria.
Contact: Caitlin Golike
Explore the Ozarks Fund Grant
Support for experiential conservation education opportunities for K-12 students in the Ozarks
The Explore the Ozarks Fund is dedicated to creating and providing access to experiential conservation education opportunities for K-12 students in the Ozarks. Grants made from the Fund for conservation education must be matched by the grantee/receiving organization on a 1:1 basis. Match dollars must be substantiated to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and must include additional dollars raised not in-kind support. Conservation education grants may include, but are not limited to: Programming and curriculum design, construction, materials and training; Transportation costs for field trips/experimental learning; and Field trip entry costs for students and teachers.
Contact: Caitlin Golike
L.E.A.H. (Lending Every Amputee Hope) Grant
Assistance for those with current or ongoing need of care for amputation
Application for assistance is based on current or on going need of amputation. Applications for assistance will be individually evaluated by a committee after completion of this form and verification from your health care provider of medical condition. Preference is given to but not limited to those residing in Southwest Missouri. Maximum amount available is $150 per year/per person to be used towards but not limited to medical/DME supplies or items from prosthetic companies to improve the quality of life for individuals with challenges associated with limp amputation.
Ripley Butler Clay Fund for the Arts
Support for artists in Ripley, Clay or Butler counties
The Ripley Butler Clay Fund for the Arts provides one grant of up to $2,500 each year to an artist who resides in either Ripley or Butler counties in Missouri or in Clay County, Arkansas. This grant program is designed to promote the visual arts in this region by providing grant funding to an artist who exhibits potential and/or is an established artist.
Indigent Cremation Reimbursement Grant (for county coroner offices)
Reimbursement grants to support indigent cremation
A was established in 2007 by the City of St. Louis Circuit Court to help the CFO reimburse county or city governments to help cover the cost of indigent cremation. The case settlement was split between three community foundations in the state, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Each community foundation serves a geographical area of the state; the CFO’s is 62 counties south of the Missouri river.
Paisley Collins Memorial Foundation
Support for pediatric cancer
The Paisley Collins Memorial Foundation has been created to assist families in need with a child (18 or younger) diagnosed with cancer with expenses beyond their ability to pay. Preference is given to but not limited to those residing in Christian, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Jasper, Newton, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright counties.
Lennie Cloud Fund for the Hearing Impaired
Support for programs and services for the hearing impaired
The Lennie Cloud Fund for the Hearing Impaired supports a nonprofit agency located in the CFO service area which provides programming to assist individuals in the Ozarks who are hearing impaired. Equipment, programming or training to assist hearing impaired individuals are eligible for application. Approximately $500 will be available to one agency for this program each year.
Jerry & Tac Caplan Midlife Initiative Fund
Support for women making a career change in midlife
The Jerry & Tac Caplan Midlife Initiative Fund will provide one grant of up to $1,000 to support a Springfield, Missouri, woman in mid-life who is working to change the course of her life and take more control over what happens to her. Preference will be given to women in poverty who are nonwhite or who have a physical or mental disability. Applications must be made on behalf of an individual through a nonprofit organization; the grant will be provided to the nonprofit organization to administer.
William E. Eslick Fund (returning in 2025)
Support for capital improvements made by Southern Baptist Churches in Greene County
The William E. Eslick Fund supports capital projects for Southern Churches located in Greene County, Missouri. Grant applications must not include operational costs; funds can be requested as part of a larger capital project. The Eslick Fund, which last granted in 2023, will provide $2,500 to one Southern Baptist Church in Greene County every other year.
The Senior and Dorinda’s Dream Funds
Assistance with end-of-life wishes
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 a 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. Funds will be distributed through the applicant’s hospice care provider.
Helen M. Delano Fund
Crisis support for families of firefighters and police officers
The Helen M. Delano Fund supports the families of Springfield firefighters or police officers injured or killed in the line of duty. Two grants of up to $2,000 will be provided annually. Applications must be made on behalf of an individual through the City of Springfield or the local police or firefighter union; grant will be provided to the organization to administer.
The Holocaust Education Grantmaking Program
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks invites educators, faith leaders, and concerned individuals to visit and learn at either the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center or the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., in order to educate others about the Nazi Holocaust and other historic and contemporary genocides and other war crimes. This grant program provides funds to 501(c)3 organizations or other IRS-approved charitable entities (government entities, school districts, and churches) to support travel (mileage), hotel accommodation, and a per diem food expense. This grant is available to the entire CFO service area.
Hope for the Journey Foundation for Cancer Treatment Support
Hope for the Journey Foundation provides up to $1,000 in nonmedical financial support to patients facing a life-altering cancer journey and their families. Preference is given to those residing in Greene, Christian, Taney, Stone, Berry, Lawrence and Newton counties.
MS Wellness Fund established by Janie Brunette RN MSN and Linda L. Duncan
Support for individuals with multiple sclerosis
This fund supports Jordan Valley Health Center patients living with multiple sclerosis.
The Wounded War Veterans Grant Program
Support for wounded veterans
The Wounded War Veterans Grant Program seeks to provide funding for programs that serve the needs of our wounded war veterans. This grant supports a nonprofit agency located in southwest Missouri which provides programming to support wounded war veterans. Equipment, programming or training to assist in supporting these individuals are eligible for application. This grant will provide $2,000 to one agency annually.
The Smith Atwell Girls Recreational Grant Program
Support for agencies in Greene County
The Smith Atwell Girls Recreational Grant Program seeks to provide funding for programs that empower and encourage girls and young women to be involved in athletic and outdoor recreational opportunities. This grant supports a nonprofit agency located in Greene County, Missouri which provides programming to support athletic and outdoor recreational opportunities for girls and young women. Equipment, programming, or training to assist in supporting athletic and recreational opportunities for girls and young women are eligible for application. This grant will provide $500 to one agency annually.
The Shelly Sachs Foundation
Support for cancer patients
This fund supports individuals who are managing current or ongoing consequences of treatment related to cancer. Applications for assistance will be individually evaluated by a committee after completion of a form and verification from a health care provider concerning cancer status. Preference is given but not limited to those residing in Christian, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Jasper, Newton, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright counties. Maximum amount available is $300. Assistance for the following will be considered: pharmacy prescriptions not covered by insurance (copy of invoice required), insurance copayment (copy of invoice required), durable medical equipment (copy of invoice required), nutritional assistance, and transportation costs related to medical visits (hotel/gas).
How to Apply for Specialty Grants
Details and applications for these programs are found under the Specialty Grants category here.