Best Kansas City Grants for Nonprofits in Missouri

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is a leading philanthropic organization founded in 1978 that inspires and facilitates charitable giving to improve quality of life in the Greater Kansas City region and beyond. From its modest beginnings, the Foundation has grown into one of the nation’s most respected public charities, managing billions in charitable assets and administering thousands of funds for individuals, families, and businesses. Through donor-advised funds and other giving vehicles, it helps donors give strategically and effectively while providing education, leadership on key community issues, and personalized guidance that amplifies lasting community impact.

Bruce T. Hall Scholarship Fund

The Bruce T. Hall Scholarship Fund supports students in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area who are pursuing an advanced degree in social work. Eligible applicants must be at least five years into their professional career and have returned to college to obtain an advanced degree at an accredited college or university within the Greater Kansas City region, as defined by specified counties in Missouri and Kansas. Preference is given to applicants in good standing with the Episcopal Church, though church affiliation is not required. Scholarship award amounts vary and are intended to assist working professionals advancing their careers in social work.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Marvin Brooks Educational Fund

The Marvin Brooks Educational Fund continues Marvin Brooks’ dream of compassionate service to others through education. He devoted his life to education as a teacher, principal and leader in the Kansas City School District. The purpose of the Fund shall be to provide scholarships to graduating seniors from high schools in Jackson County, Missouri, who intend to further their education at a two-year or four-year college or university or technical school.

Scholarships will be supplemental for students who have already earned other scholarships.

The scholarship is renewable provided students reapply annually, continue to attend classes and demonstrate academic progress on their transcripts.

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.

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.

Our mission is to enhance quality of life, today and in the future, by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Building a permanent endowment
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Meeting needs through grants, awards, and scholarships

Richard and Lou Ann Bergen Scholarship in the Creative Arts

Amount

Minimum $1,000

Geographic Limitations

Saline County high school seniors attending either Bethany College, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas State University, Kansas Wesleyan University, University of Kansas or Wichita State University.

Renewals

Scholarship is renewable up to four years.