Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits in Missouri

The Classics for Kids Matching Grant Program, established by the Classics for Kids Foundation, aims to enhance music education for at-risk and rural youth by providing matching grants for fine stringed instruments. Since 1998, over $2 million has been allocated to support more than 300 programs across all 50 states. Schools and non-profits demonstrating need and commitment are encouraged to apply, fostering lifelong benefits of music participation and education.

The CART Fund Grant supports innovative Alzheimer’s Disease research projects in the U.S. with funding up to $500,000 for a two-year period. It invites full-time faculty from public and private institutions to submit Letters of Intent, emphasizing novel concepts that advance biomedical knowledge. Selected finalists will be invited to apply for standard grants. The initiative aims to foster groundbreaking research initiatives lacking extensive preliminary data, ensuring a focus on projects with transformative potential.

Opera Grants for Women Composers: Discovery Grants support the creation of new operas by women composers, promoting gender parity and diversity in the field. These grants assist composers in exploring opera as an art form, funding activities like libretto readings and workshops. OPERA America is committed to enhancing the operatic repertoire with diverse perspectives, and these grants are made possible through the support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

The Henry Luce Foundation's Asia: Responsive Grants program supports initiatives that enhance understanding of East and Southeast Asia. With a focus on academic research, cultural exchange, and public education, the program seeks to promote collaboration between American and Asian institutions. Grants are awarded primarily to U.S.-based non-profits, fostering innovative teaching, resource development, and policy engagement, while prioritizing projects that bridge diverse disciplines and geographic divides.

The Catholic School Leadership Development Grant Program aims to cultivate and retain promising leaders within the Catholic school system. In partnership with Loyola Marymount University, this initiative offers a graduate-level online Certificate in Catholic School Administration, covering 80% of tuition costs and providing funding for essential travel. The one-year program focuses on mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership, requiring participants to serve two years in their diocese post-completion, thereby enhancing local educational leadership.

The Lipsky-Whittaker LGBTQ Scholarship, established by the SouthCoast Community Foundation, provides financial support to graduates from New Bedford area high schools who identify as LGBTQ+. Applicants must be under 24 years old and enrolled in or accepted to an accredited college. This scholarship aims to empower students committed to addressing LGBTQ+ issues in their communities, contributing to a more inclusive society.

Kids' Chance of Massachusetts offers scholarships to children of workers who have been severely injured or killed in workplace accidents. This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization awards funds based on financial need, with applications accepted annually. Eligible students must be dependents aged 17-22, enrolled full-time in post-secondary education, and demonstrate financial need. Renewal applications are available for previous recipients who maintain satisfactory academic progress.

The American Diabetes Association's Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards aim to foster emerging leaders in diabetes research. With a focus on innovative research, these fellowships provide up to three years of funding, including a stipend and allowances. Eligible applicants must hold a recent advanced degree and conduct research at U.S. affiliated institutions. This initiative not only supports career development but also contributes significantly to the mission of preventing and curing diabetes.

The AGA-Gastric Cancer Foundation Ben Feinstein Memorial Research Scholar Award provides $100,000 annually for three years to early-career faculty dedicated to gastric cancer research. Eligible candidates must have an MD, PhD, or equivalent and a full-time faculty position in North America. The award supports research in various areas related to gastric cancer, ensuring a minimum of 50% time commitment to the project, thus fostering independent careers in digestive diseases.

The Anna Lalor Burdick Program supports initiatives that enhance women's access to reproductive health care, contraception, and pregnancy termination. It prioritizes funding programs that provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, particularly for disadvantaged women. The program seeks innovative approaches, clear goals, and sustainable models, while emphasizing advocacy efforts. Organizations dedicated to reproductive rights in restrictive environments are encouraged to apply, as the foundation aims to empower women through informed choices.

The CLRA Research Grant Program, led by the Children’s Leukemia Research Association, focuses on funding innovative research aimed at uncovering the causes of leukemia and improving treatment options. Grants totaling $30,000 are awarded to U.S.-based researchers, with the intention of advancing scientific understanding and ultimately finding a cure. The program has made significant contributions to the high cure rates for childhood leukemia, showcasing the importance of continued research in this field.

The NIMH Career Transition Award (K22) supports tenure-track intramural investigators at NIMH in their transition to independent research faculty positions. This program aims to foster innovative research in mental health, encouraging applicants with a strong record of research excellence. Key deadlines for applications vary, including those for standard and renewal submissions, emphasizing the importance of timely applications to secure funding and advance mental health research initiatives.

This initiative aims to support research interventions targeting disparities in liver diseases and liver cancer among underserved populations in the U.S. It encourages innovative approaches to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes. The funding opportunity is available through various deadlines for both standard and renewal applications, promoting multi-level strategies to address these critical health issues effectively.

The NCAA Jim McKay Graduate Scholarship honors the legacy of journalist Jim McKay by awarding a one-time $10,000 scholarship to one male and one female student-athlete annually. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.5, demonstrate integrity, and show interest in sports communication. There is no limit to the number of nominations from institutions, highlighting the NCAA's commitment to supporting student-athletes in their academic and professional pursuits.

The NCCIH Natural Product Early Phase Clinical Trial Phased Innovation Award (R61/R33) invites research proposals for early phase clinical trials of natural products, including botanicals and dietary supplements, emphasizing scientific validity for further testing. Applicants may receive up to three years of funding for pharmacokinetics and bioavailability studies, with potential for an additional three years to evaluate clinical outcomes. This initiative aims to optimize natural product delivery through innovative study designs.

The NCCIH Natural Product Early Phase Clinical Trial Award supports innovative clinical trials of natural products, such as botanicals and dietary supplements, with a strong scientific basis. Applications are encouraged to explore optimal delivery methods and combinations with other treatments. Funding is available for up to three years to assess the impact on target engagement and clinical outcomes, aiming to translate basic science findings into practical clinical applications.

The NCCIH Natural Product Mid Phase Clinical Trial (R01 Clinical Trial Required) grant invites applications for mid-phase clinical trials focusing on natural products such as botanicals and dietary supplements. It aims to advance scientific knowledge by determining optimal dosing and patient responses. Applicants must provide preliminary data demonstrating bioavailability and measurable impacts on target engagement. This initiative will not support efficacy trials for cancer treatments and encourages early contact with NCCIH scientific contacts.

The NCI Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Non-Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K22) aims to support postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented backgrounds in transitioning to tenure-track positions. This award provides essential funding for salary and research support for three years, enabling candidates to establish independent biomedical careers. Key deadlines for applications range from February 2025 to October 2027, ensuring ample opportunity for eligible researchers to secure funding for their career development.

The NIDCR Behavioral and Social Intervention Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) aims to support innovative research in behavioral and social interventions for dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions. This funding opportunity includes a milestone-driven planning phase of up to 2 years, with potential transition to implementation for an additional 5 years, facilitating comprehensive trial development and assessment.

The NEI Postbaccalaureate Opportunities in Vision Science (POVS) Research Education Program aims to enhance the training of a diverse workforce in biomedical research. This NIH-funded initiative focuses on providing intensive, hands-on research experiences for recent college graduates from various backgrounds, preparing them for doctoral programs in biomedical fields. The program encourages participation from individuals without prior research opportunities in vision sciences, fostering a nationally recruited cohort for substantial impact in the field.

This grant aims to enhance applied regulatory science research for the evaluation and treatment of cardiotoxicity associated with oncology therapeutics. The initiative will facilitate collaboration with the FDA to develop effective methodologies and solutions, ensuring that research outcomes are directly relevant to regulatory decision-making. Key activities include regular communication with funded investigators and a focus on improving detection and management of cardiotoxicity, ultimately leading to impactful publications and presentations.

The NIH StrokeNet initiative invites applications for clinical trials and biomarker studies aimed at stroke treatment, recovery, and prevention. This funding opportunity encourages collaborative projects that validate promising interventions and scientific aims within the NIH StrokeNet framework. Key deadlines for submissions span from February 2025 to November 2026, with support provided by the National Coordinating Center and Regional Coordinating Centers to ensure efficient study implementation and participant recruitment.

The American Heart Association (AHA) is launching the RFP for a Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) aimed at enhancing the early detection and delaying the progression of valvular heart disease. This initiative seeks collaborative proposals from researchers to address critical questions and advance understanding in this field. With a maximum budget of $4.4 million and a duration of four years, the AHA plans to award at least three grants based on scientific merit and alignment with its mission.

The TTP Bridge Program aims to enhance the safety and accessibility of bridges in Tribal communities, addressing the urgent need for infrastructure improvements. With aging bridges affecting economic development and children's transportation, this program allows federally recognized Indian Tribes to apply for funding for planning, construction, and rehabilitation of bridges. By focusing on TTP bridges in poor condition, the initiative seeks to strengthen economic foundations and ensure better connectivity with markets, benefiting both families and communities.

The Jean Griswold Foundation

The Jean Griswold Foundation (JGF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Caregivers through educational opportunities and scholarships. 

Our Mission

The mission of the Jean Griswold Foundation is to support Caregivers by providing educational scholarships* to enable them to further their training, enhance their careers, and better assist the clients they serve.

By offering educational scholarships*, our Foundation will not only make a positive impact on the Caregivers themselves, but also the clients they assist and the home healthcare agencies where they are employed, as well as help advance the overarching home-care industry.

Scholarships will be paid directly to the federally accredited educational institutions of the winning Scholars’ choosing.

Empowering Caregivers Through Education

The Jean Griswold Foundation Scholarship Program awards scholarships to deserving Caregivers who wish to further their education in a care-related field. Applicants do not have to be associated with Griswold in any way, and the funds will be paid directly to the institution where the caregiver will be receiving education.  

Our Winter 2026 Scholarship Application period is now open! Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm ET August 31, 2026. Join our email list to get the first notice of all Scholarship happenings.  

Where would we be without Caregivers? 

Their selflessness is astounding, yet they are often overlooked and underappreciated. 

The Jean Griswold Foundation is dedicated to supporting Caregivers, the backbone of the care industry. We provide educational scholarships so Care Professionals can further their training, enhance their skills, elevate their careers, and better assist the people they serve.

This funding opportunity invites applications for R01 grants focused on molecular imaging methods to explore cancer inflammation in vivo. It aims to enhance understanding of dynamic interactions between inflammation and cancer through innovative imaging techniques. The initiative encourages collaborations between cancer researchers and imaging scientists to leverage molecular imaging for identifying cellular physiology changes in response to treatment. Deadline dates for applications range from February 2025 to October 2027, emphasizing timely submission for prospective researchers.

The Integration of Imaging and Fluid-Based Tumor Monitoring in Cancer Therapy (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) aims to enhance cancer treatment by integrating imaging and liquid biopsy assays. This initiative, led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), encourages grant applications focused on assessing therapy responses and resistance emergence in patients. Key deadlines for submissions span from February 2025 to January 2028, providing ample opportunities for researchers to contribute to this vital area of cancer research.