Best Grants for Education Nonprofits in Missouri

Established education and human services nonprofits in Missouri can seek program funding to expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and improve quality of life, especially for underrepresented urban populations. The Lozier Foundation prioritizes education, women and girls, North Omaha initiatives, and human services, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis and submitted via its Program Application process.

Established education and human services nonprofits in Missouri and other Lozier footprint communities can seek general operating, program, or capital support to expand opportunity and strengthen underrepresented urban communities. With a mission to improve quality of life, The Lozier Foundation prioritizes education, women and girls, North Omaha initiatives, and broader human services through its General Application, reviewed on a rolling basis.

Missouri education and community nonprofits can access funding through Encova Foundation of West Virginia to support programs that improve communities and families, promote education, and encourage wellness. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations with verifiable tax IDs, especially those impacting health, safety, and children or involving Encova associates, may be competitive applicants.

Missouri education nonprofits serving urban and underrepresented communities can access funding through the Lozier Foundation Education Application to support learning initiatives. The family foundation prioritizes education, women and girls, human services, and North Omaha–style community initiatives in areas where Lozier has a corporate footprint, offering general operating, program, and capital support year-round.

Education nonprofits in Missouri that are 501(c)(3) organizations feeding, educating, or empowering youth can apply for Jack in the Box Foundation’s Jack’s Community Grants, with awards of US $5,000 - US $10,000. Eligible programs must serve communities within 50 miles of a Jack in the Box restaurant and focus on youth opportunity and well-being.

Missouri 501(c)(3) education and community organizations seeking support for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational programs may be eligible for this funding. Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation supports nonprofits in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma; applicants must contact the Foundation at least 30 days before applying to discuss eligibility.

Missouri 501(c)(3) education and Christian charitable organizations can seek funding for educational, scientific, religious, and arts and culture programs. Focused on these program areas, the Virginia H. Glasson Charitable Trust invites eligible nonprofits in Missouri and select other states to apply through the JPMorgan foundations online application system.

Education and community-focused 501(c)(3) organizations and other eligible entities serving Missouri’s Nixa area can apply for grants from Community Foundation of the Ozarks; awards up to US $10,000 support local projects. Funding may benefit education, culture, environment, health, family services, or economic development initiatives that address important community needs or foster collaboration.

Education nonprofits and schools in Missouri seeking up to US $2,000 for reusable, long-lasting items may be eligible for this grant supporting rural community improvement. MFA Oil Foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations and accredited educational institutions focused on education, youth, human services, or civic programs in communities where the company has a strong presence.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Missouri planning educational, medical, cultural, religious, or human services capital projects can seek challenge grants for construction, renovation, or major medical equipment. The Mabee Foundation supports projects across Missouri and nearby states, offering up to US $2,000,000 when at least 40% of project funding is already secured from public donors.

Missouri nonprofits, 501(c)(3) organizations, and eligible businesses implementing education or community development projects in Missouri can access up to US $500,000 in in-kind support through state tax credits. With a mission to strengthen local communities, Missouri Department of Economic Development provides Neighborhood Assistance Program credits to help organizations attract private contributions for approved projects.

Nonprofit organizations in Missouri seeking support for education, health, social services, scientific research, performing arts, museums, scholarly publications, or historic preservation can apply for funding from the Clifford Willard Gaylord Foundation. Missouri education nonprofits may be especially interested, as the foundation supports a broad range of educational initiatives alongside other community-focused programs.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Missouri seeking funding for capital projects, programs, or operating needs may be eligible for this opportunity supporting youth and community development. The Kerr Foundation also considers arts and culture, health, and human services initiatives, with a preference for Oklahoma but including Missouri among its eligible states.

Missouri education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing education, hunger, or community servant support can request donations to meet fundamental community needs. Missouri education organizations can access funding through Casey's General Stores if they operate in a Casey’s community and follow the online donation request process, with decisions provided by email within about one month.

The Sandra Trudgen Dawson Award, established by the Coordinating Council for Women in History, commemorates the legacy of a remarkable scholar and leader. This award supports individuals in research, teaching, and service within women's and gender history, allowing recipients to cover costs for travel, materials, and projects that honor Sandra's commitment to collaboration and support in the field. It aims to foster connections among scholars and promote the advancement of women's history.

The Ed & Mildred Schroeder Scholarship, offered by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life in the Coastal Bend through educational support. This scholarship is available to graduating seniors or current college students pursuing a degree in education, demonstrating financial need, and enrolled in at least 12 credit hours. By providing effective grants and scholarships, the foundation fosters community philanthropy and addresses local educational needs.

The AES Hawaiʻi Foundation Grant supports communities near AES Hawaiʻi’s renewable energy projects, focusing on social justice, education, environmental stewardship, and community health. Preference is given to nonprofit organizations in these areas, but statewide entities may also apply. Successful projects should align with the Foundation’s impact pillars, demonstrate measurable community benefits, and address unmet needs, ensuring long-term positive effects on the local community.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Clemens-Clair Future Educators Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is named for Clemens J. Rosen and Clair J. Hemphill – two fathers who encouraged and paid for their daughters to pursue college educations. Both believed an educated woman had more opportunities and would be better able to take care of herself and her family.

Clemens Rosen (1919-2016) did not finish grade school as he was needed on the farm. However, nobody could beat him in Scrabble. He served in WWII on a B24, was shot down twice and was held in a Nazi POW camp until the end of the war. He then took employment in Peoria, IL, first working for Western Electric and then as a foreman for Caterpillar Tractor Company.

Clair Hemphill (1912-1979) finished high school and was a life-long farmer in Elwood, Illinois. Clair’s father was a farmer as was his grandfather and others before him. Clair’s mother was a teacher until she married. He had a strong belief in women pursuing education and was proud that his daughter did just that.

This scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship, awarding $5,000 for two consecutive years providing that students maintain their enrollment status. 

The Wan Chen and Ming Li Scholarship for International Study at WMU's College of Education and Human Development supports undergraduate and graduate students in non-English based study abroad programs. Applicants must be U.S. residents, enrolled in CEHD, and submit proof of acceptance into an international program along with a proposal outlining the experience's benefits for their academic and career goals. This scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities and make studying abroad more accessible.

The Vatterott Foundation offers grants to organizations in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area focusing on four key areas: alleviating poverty, enhancing education, promoting public welfare, and supporting religious advancement. Applications are accepted yearly with specific deadlines. Eligible organizations must align with the Foundation's goals and practices, ensuring their proposals are for general operations, capital campaigns, or program support. Note that grants are not available for individuals.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials.

IBMA  Foundation Project Grants

The IBMA Foundation awards project grants each year, usually in amounts between $1,000 and $2,500. The deadline to apply is December 2, 2024. Projects must align with the Foundation’s mission in one of the following areas

• Arts & culture
• Education
• Literary or academic programs
• History preservation

The Zyne Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance and support Catholic faith-based organizations and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits dedicated to education, medical research, and family values. The foundation's mission focuses on making a direct impact on individuals' daily lives, ensuring that these initiatives can thrive both now and in the future, promoting community well-being and development.

The Taylor S. Abernathy & Patti Harding Abernathy Charitable Trust provides grants to enhance community well-being through support in arts, education, health, human services, and infrastructure development. Established in 1988, the Trust prioritizes funding for organizations that benefit residents of the Greater Kansas City area, aiming to promote quality programming and reflect the diverse interests of its donors.

The James Madison Graduate Fellowship supports U.S. citizens pursuing master's degrees focused on the Constitution, enhancing their constitutional knowledge for teaching. Fellows are required to teach American history, government, or civics at the secondary level for one year per funding year. Financially, the fellowship awards up to $24,000, covering tuition and fees, and must be repaid if fellowship conditions are unmet. This program ensures future educators embody constitutional principles in their teaching.

The Edward and Wanda Jordan Family Foundation Grant aims to support education, scientific research, and spiritual ministries through voluntary grants. Focused on enhancing the welfare and quality of life for children and youth, this foundation perpetuates the charitable intentions of the Jordan family. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that align with these values and objectives, ensuring impactful contributions to the community.

The Crawford Taylor Foundation focuses on enhancing programs that create lasting legacies in St. Louis. With priorities in community development, women's health, animal welfare, and environmental preservation, the foundation seeks to support 501(c)(3) organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria. They avoid funding multi-year grants or for-profit initiatives, emphasizing support for local causes and relief efforts deemed important by the Taylor family.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Thomas William Bennett Memorial Scholarship Fund

He believed that a person could do anything if they sat down and read how to do it. When WWII started, he was the first man from the state of South Carolina to enlist in the U.S. Army. He quickly rose to captain and spent most of the war in the Pacific (the Queen of Fiji considered him a friend). Later, Thomas had a long career at Harcourt Brace publishing.