Best Jackson County Grants for Nonprofits in Missouri

WHO ARE WE?

In 2020, Jackson County was home to more than 165,000 children and youth under 18 years of age, and ranked 75th out of 114 Missouri counties for child welfare. Thirty-two percent of our county’s children under 6 years of age live in poverty. Twenty-five percent of our older kids do, too. Hundreds are victims of abuse or neglect. Thousands require clinical psychiatric care. A prior needs assessment of funding for children’s services in Jackson County revealed an annual funding gap of over $21M. CSF exists to change this story. Uniting care, connection, and creativity, we are providing opportunities to give hope to Jackson County kids.

CSF is an innovative way to support child well-being projects. While we are funded by a Jackson County sales tax, we are a stand-alone organization led by an independent board. We are committed to community equity. Our board is balanced to reflect our county, and we work to educate and support all applicants, so everyone—including small organizations and first-timers—has a fair shot at funding. We believe in fresh solutions, constant progress and collaboration. Our work allows us to see the whole-county picture, so we can connect like-minded partners and promote new collaborations.

CSF Core Funding

Core Funding is at the heart of our mission to make transformative investments in the mental health and emotional well-being of children in Jackson County. It supports organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children and families, enabling them to provide essential services that strengthen protective factors, mental health and social-emotional well-being. This funding is central to creating lasting impact, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Organizations can access Core Funding through two different funding cycles to best meet the needs of the organization. For traditional non-profit organizations, calendar year funding (January 1 – December 31) is the intended option to provide support. For schools and school-based/school-adjacent services, academic year funding (July 1 – June 30) is available. Both cycles follow a clear and structured process for requesting and awarding funds, with flexibility to suit different program needs. The application process has been streamlined to allow for more equitable access, with applicants now engaging in in-person presentations rather than submitting lengthy applications. This change fosters stronger relationships between the CSF and funded partners and levels the playing field for all organizations.

CSF can fund:

• Up to 30 days of temporary shelter, respite care and services for unwed mothers.
• Outpatient treatment, transitional living services, family intervention, crisis services and prevention programs.
• Professional counseling, psychological evaluations and mental health screenings.

Community Foundation of the North State

The Community Foundation builds trust through relationship, integrity, and by providing safe places for donors to give their resources.

We are a nonprofit, public charity serving the people of Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties, with a mission to impact the region through the power of giving.

Scholarships

The Community Foundation of the North State manages many scholarship funds that are awarded to graduating high school seniors as well as students already in an undergraduate program. Some scholarships were started by families or individuals; others by businesses or organizations. All scholarships share one important focus: helping young people reach their educational goals.

Jackson Family Scholarship

Scholarship awards are made to students who are either seeking to enter the nursing profession or who are currently in the nursing profession and wish to obtain a higher level of certification in the nursing field (LVN to RN, RN to BSN). Applicants must have completed at least 2 semesters that are applicable to their nursing degree.

The Jackson Family Scholarship was originally established in 2007 to support promising students in nurse training programs. The donors decided to focus on nursing because they both recognized the important contributions nurses make to patients’ well-being, and the increased need for well-trained nurses in the future. Through these awards, the Jackson Family Scholarship Fund will make positive contributions to excellent students and help build the nursing workforce of the future.

In 2019 the fund moved to the Community Foundation with the intent to support students specifically in the North State region. Scholarship awards will be made to students who are either seeking to enter the nursing profession or who are currently in the nursing profession and wish to obtain a higher level of certification in the nursing field (LVN to RN, RN to BSN). Applicants must have completed at least 2 semesters that are applicable to their nursing degree. Priority consideration will be given to nurses who plan to work in the California “North State”.

Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation Grant 

The Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation supports organizations working to strengthen the lives of children and families across Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri.

Grant Focus:

In 2026, the Loose Foundation’s Board will be considering local nonprofits for the Empower Together event. This special gathering creates space for connection—bringing the Loose Foundation together with organizations to learn more about their work and to celebrate a shared commitment to helping children and families thrive in Kansas City.

Eligibility Requirements: Eligible applicants include organizations that focus on serving children and families within Kansas City, Missouri and/or Jackson County, Missouri.

Awards

The Kauffman Uncommon Leader Awards are a portfolio of awards to recognize leaders who are making a lasting impact within their nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve.

The Visionary Award

The Kauffman Uncommon Leader Visionary Award is designed to honor an executive leader from a 501(c)(3) public charity in the Kansas City region who is building an inspiring and impactful legacy within their community, particularly aligned with the Foundation’s mission to advance economic mobility, and who demonstrates significant contributions to the Kansas City region’s well-being, growth, and empowerment.

About the Award

The Kauffman Uncommon Leader Awards are a portfolio of awards to recognize leaders who are making a lasting impact within their nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve. These awards honor individuals whose work aligns with the Kauffman Foundation’s strategic priorities and exemplify the visionary leadership of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman, through innovative, generous, and meaningful work in the community.