Best History Grants in Missouri

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with innovative human services programs can seek support to address social problems, including work that may involve history-related community issues in Missouri. Creag Foundation considers proposals from organizations holding 501(c)(3) status for at least one year; funding is by invitation, starting with a letter of inquiry.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

Employers seeking to improve workplace safety in Missouri and other eligible states can apply for matching funds to purchase ergonomic, safety, or industrial hygiene equipment. Grants from Missouri Employers Mutual help its active, in-good-standing policyholders access US $500 - US $10,000 to address key injury exposures and enhance employee protection.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - Missouri

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Missouri 501(c)(3) entities, government agencies, and state-recognized nonprofits can seek NRA Foundation grants of US $3,000 - US $5,000 for firearms safety, shooting sports, hunting safety, and related education. Funding can support historical and educational programs on firearms history and marksmanship that serve charitable, educational, or scientific purposes.

Nonprofit, civic, educational, and cultural organizations in Missouri can receive up to US $5,000 to support humanities-based projects, programs, and exhibits. Grants from Missouri Humanities Council help Missouri history and humanities groups fund scholar honoraria, interpretive exhibits, public forums, media projects, accessibility costs, and related program expenses with required in-kind or cash match.

Public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits preserving historic Route 66 sites in Missouri can apply for grants of US $2,500 - US $10,000 to support restoration, interpretation, and related preservation activities. Grants from National Trust for Historic Preservation help history-focused organizations fund bricks-and-mortar work, consultant services, education programs, and materials for Route 66–connected historic places.

Nonprofits and educational institutions in Missouri developing Holocaust-related educational or artistic projects can apply for the Rubin and Gloria Feldman Family Educational Institute program from Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Funding supports work that explores Holocaust history, promotes ethical reflection, fosters interfaith dialogue, and combats antisemitism, racism, and other forms of discrimination, including projects with a broader Midwest reach.

Missouri 501(c)(3) nonprofits with programs improving health and wellness in the greater Kansas City area can seek seed funding for early-stage or innovative initiatives that change individual and community behaviors. Focused on social determinants of health and under-resourced communities, Menorah Heritage Foundation supports transformational projects that remove barriers to self-actualization and build supporting impact data.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing mental health and substance use disorders can seek behavioral health program funding, including work in Missouri. Grants from Elevance Health Foundation help expand treatment access, support prevention and early intervention, and reduce social isolation, with priority for culturally relevant, whole-person, and scalable initiatives that demonstrate measurable outcomes.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Missouri’s air, land and water resources play an important role in our health and are essential to the environmental and economic vitality of our state. The department aspires to help Missouri citizens thrive by advancing environmental and economic sustainability. The department provides a range of services to help Missouri citizens, communities and businesses in these efforts. The department also provides opportunities to learn more about Missouri’s natural and cultural history at our state parks and historic sites.

Our Mission: We serve as stewards of our natural resources to benefit Missourians.

Water Safety and Security Act Project Grant

The Missouri Water Safety and Security Act, found in Missouri Revised Statutes section 640.144, RSMo, requires certain community public water systems to develop valve and fire hydrant inspection programs. The Act also requires systems to develop an accurate map identifying shut-off valve and hydrant locations using a geographic information system (GIS) or an alternative physical mapping system and create a hydrant inspection program.

Section 1452(g) and (k) of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act authorizes the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to distribute part of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to public water systems to improve system capacity, promote asset management and maintain compliance with federal and state drinking water laws. Through this grant program, the department provides financial assistance to eligible community public water systems to develop accurate maps that satisfy the requirements of the Missouri Water Safety and Security Act.

Eligible Projects and Costs

Eligible projects are limited to contractual agreements to develop valve and hydrant inspection programs and accurate valve and hydrant maps that include all shut-off valve and hydrant locations throughout the applying water system’s distribution system and to satisfy the requirements of Section 640.144, RSMo.

A finalized valve and hydrant inspection program plan and/ or a map accurately depicting the locations of all system shut-off valves and hydrants must be provided to the department for a project to be considered complete. Reimbursement for pre-approved project-related costs is only issued following completion of awarded projects and submission of a finalized map to the department.

Award Amounts and Match

Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis after the priority application period. Matching funds are not required, but may contribute to project selection and ranking according to the priority point criteria described in section 4 of the grant application form.

Missouri nonprofits and civic, educational, or cultural organizations planning humanities-based history projects in Missouri can access funding through Missouri Humanities Council’s Major Grants, with awards up to US $15,000. Funding can support speakers, interpretive exhibits, content-rich websites, public forums, teachers’ workshops, and related project costs, with a required in-kind or cash match.

Agricultural education programs serving students and young producers in Missouri and other CHS trade-area states can apply for funding to teach the agricultural cooperative business model through education, professional development, and hands-on experience. Grants from CHS Foundation help initiatives with national or state reach that use innovative approaches, technology, and measurable outcomes for program-related costs.

Missouri and Kansas 501(c)(3) performing arts organizations presenting public music performances can apply for the Martha Lee Cain Tranby Music Enrichment Fund, with awards up to US $5,000 for projects or operating support. Groups with history-related programming that includes a strong live music component may be eligible if the grant specifically supports the performance aspect.

Missouri 501(c)(3) organizations serving the Jewish community and providing health, social services, or community programs can apply for grants from Menorah Heritage Foundation. Funding supports physical and mental health initiatives, Jewish education and engagement, and limited core operating support for organizations active in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, including Missouri counties.

Nonprofit human and social service organizations providing emergency assistance, shelter, safety-net health care, and youth services in the greater Kansas City metro area can receive unrestricted operating support, including up to US $10,000, for core expenses. With a mission to strengthen compassionate, effective agencies, Menorah Heritage Foundation provides flexible funding that may benefit Missouri groups serving local communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running food-as-medicine or nutrition programs that improve clinical outcomes or expand access to healthy food, including in Missouri, may be eligible for Elevance Health Foundation support. Elevance Health Foundation prioritizes scalable, culturally relevant interventions addressing diet-related conditions and food insecurity, with grants supporting implementation, measurement, evaluation, and reporting over 1–3 years across the U.S.

Missouri 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving health, education, family welfare, hunger, homelessness, or the natural environment can seek up to US $25,000 for operations or new projects. Grants from Hulston Family Foundation help community-based organizations in West Central and Southwest Missouri, with priority for Jackson and Greene Counties, which may include history-focused initiatives serving children and families.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Missouri communities where Ameren has a business presence can apply for Ameren’s community grant program; awards support local programs and events that enhance quality of life. History-focused organizations may be eligible when their educational or community development projects benefit these Missouri communities.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Missouri’s air, land and water resources play an important role in our health and are essential to the environmental and economic vitality of our state. The department aspires to help Missouri citizens thrive by advancing environmental and economic sustainability. The department provides a range of services to help Missouri citizens, communities and businesses in these efforts. The department also provides opportunities to learn more about Missouri’s natural and cultural history at our state parks and historic sites.

Our Mission: We serve as stewards of our natural resources to benefit Missourians. The department's values and Strategic Initiative Plan guide the department as it moves. The department accomplishes its mission through its Division of Administrative Support, Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Missouri Geological Survey and Missouri State Parks.

CWSRF On-site Wastewater Treatment System Grant

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' grant program for on-site wastewater systems provides pass-through grant funding to one or more qualified nonprofits to implement the program in select areas of the state. The On-site Wastewater Treatment System Grants will assist private (non-commercial) and single-family homeowners in select watersheds with identified water quality concerns related to nutrients. It is anticipated that the grants will be used to either:

• Repair or replace failing or poorly functioning onsite wastewater systems or
• Connect to a larger decentralized or centralized wastewater treatment system

The goals of this grant program are to improve and protect public health and water quality by focusing on watersheds with nutrient impairments and implement infrastructure improvements, regardless of home lot size, with effective designs and proper installation that follow local and state health statutes and rules. Maintenance is also key to ensure the newly installed systems continue to provide protections for their expected useful life.

With a mission to support older adults aging in community, nonprofits in the greater Kansas City metro area can receive up to US $15,000 for senior services such as social engagement, home repairs, healthy food access, and learning opportunities. Missouri organizations in Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte Counties may benefit, including history-focused programs serving local seniors.

Nonprofit and public interest organizations in the Missouri Ozarks can apply for up to US $10,000 to support conservation of natural and cultural resources through the L-A-D Foundation Grant Program. Administered by Community Foundation of the Ozarks, funding can support environmental education, grassroots organizing, start-up costs, capital needs, seed money, and workshops in the 12 eligible counties.

Charitable organizations in Missouri serving abused or neglected children, low-income residents, Episcopal ministries, arts and culture in St. Louis, animal welfare, or people with illness or disabilities can apply for Woods Foundation grants. Funding may support special projects, capital campaigns, challenge or matching grants, or general operations, and history-focused nonprofits in Missouri may be eligible when their work aligns with these priorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Kansas City, Missouri residents can seek support for community services, including seniors, children’s care and health, disability support, education, and Christian youth programs. Focused on charitable work, Ina Calkins Board invites Missouri organizations whose programs match these priorities to apply for annual grant distributions from its charitable trust.

About Us

Our History

Since its founding, The H & R Block Foundation has been committed to assisting underserved individuals and improving the quality of all aspects of life. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that increase access to the arts, build stable neighborhoods, offer diverse learning opportunities, and expand access to services that respond to all individuals’ physical and emotional needs. The Foundation continues to support the H&R Block culture by aligning resources and leadership to create positive social change.

Grants

Community Impact

The H & R Block Foundation awards grants that help nonprofits improve or strengthen services, enhance operations, and achieve greater results. The Foundation’s grant strategy focuses on the following:

• Helping underserved individuals pursue and attain post-secondary education
• Improving the quality of life throughout neighborhoods in greater Kansas City
• Enhancing nonprofits’ operational efficiency and service delivery and strengthening major community assets and institutions

Since its inception, The H & R Block Foundation has invested over $84 million in various charitable organizations.

Grants FAQ

The Foundation’s areas of focus are:

• Arts & Culture
• Education
• Health & Human Service
• Neighborhood Revitalization

There are no fixed minimum or maximum amounts, though most grants do not exceed $150,000.  

The Foundation’s sister organization, the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation makes single-year and multiyear grants that typically fall in the range of $150,000 to $500,000. Grants may be funded by either Foundation, as determined by Foundation staff.