Best Grants for Community Service Projects in Missouri

With a mission to strengthen community development, the Missouri Department of Economic Development provides Missouri nonprofits and eligible business organizations with up to US $500,000 in in-kind support via Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits. Community-based projects in service, education, crime prevention, job training, and physical revitalization can leverage these state tax credits to attract private donors for local improvement efforts.

The Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving: Thriving Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that promote sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience across a 22-state network. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, the program aims to foster economic development and ensure equal access to basic necessities. Eligible organizations include tax-exempt nonprofits, government entities, and public schools, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in their community-focused efforts.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides federal funding to non-entitlement cities and counties to improve infrastructure, support community facilities, and strengthen local economies in ways that primarily help low-to-moderate income people while addressing local health and safety concerns. Project awards are available in several categories for a wide range of community development initiatives.

Downtown areas help define communities and invigorate tourism. The State of Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) administers the Downtown Revitalization Program to assist with impactful downtown improvement projects to revitalize the cultural heartbeat of communities through redevelopment. These projects eliminate slum and blight conditions on the front and selected side facades of eligible buildings in core downtown areas, and address code violations for commercial structures. Sub recipients are prohibited from using Downtown Revitalization program funds for improvements within residential portions of mixed-use buildings. Project buildings must be situated within a downtown target area, as defined by the community, in which at least 25% of all buildings are judged through individual surveys and documentation to be in either fair or poor condition.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides federal funding to non-entitlement cities and counties to improve infrastructure, support community facilities, and strengthen local economies in ways that primarily help low-to-moderate income people while addressing local health and safety concerns. Project awards are available in several categories for a wide range of community development initiatives.

The Industrial Infrastructure program will assist local governments in the development of public infrastructure that allows industries to locate new facilities, expand existing facilities, or prevent the relocation or closing of a facility. The Industrial Infrastructure Program involves participation from both the application sponsor (city/county) and the participating business. Eligible applicants include non-entitlement Cities and Counties.

Grant funds may be used for public streets, water or sewer lines, engineering and other public facilities necessary to support the private sector project. A public entity must own the facilities to be funded.

The CDBG: Economic Development Grant for Downtown Revitalization supports eligible Missouri communities in revitalizing their downtown areas through facade improvements and infrastructure investments. This open, year-round grant program aims to eliminate slum and blight conditions and enhance economic opportunities by funding projects that create jobs and restore community vitality. Applications are accepted continuously until funding is exhausted, making it a vital resource for local development efforts.

The CDBG: Economic Development Grant for Industrial Infrastructure aims to revitalize local economies by funding public infrastructure projects that support private job creation. Eligible projects include improvements to streets, water, and sewer lines, ensuring public ownership of facilities. This program prioritizes businesses offering above-average wages and medical benefits while also requiring that at least 51% of new jobs created are for low to moderate income individuals. Applications are accepted year-round.

The Patterson Family Foundation is inviting innovative proposals to enhance community engagement in rural areas. With a focus on projects that foster long-term involvement from all generations, the Foundation aims to support initiatives that contribute to the mission of thriving rural communities. To apply, organizations must be located within the Foundation's Kansas and western Missouri catchment and possess nonprofit status. Early submission of the Letter of Intent is highly recommended for timely review.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides federal funding to non-entitlement cities and counties to improve infrastructure, support community facilities, and strengthen local economies in ways that primarily help low-to-moderate income people while addressing local health and safety concerns. Project awards are available in several categories for a wide range of community development initiatives.

CDBG Competitive Cycle allows communities to apply for improvements to nearly any publicly-owned facility or infrastructure, as well as the clearance of vacant, dilapidated buildings.

The General Infrastructure category helps improve local, publicly owned streets, drainage, bridges, and other infrastructure activities. Reliable and sustainable infrastructure helps support the business community as well as residents. This excludes drinking water and wastewater projects which the applicant should apply for under the water/wastewater program. The CDBG-funded construction budget cannot exceed $500,000 total or $5,000 per household benefiting.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides federal funding to non-entitlement cities and counties to improve infrastructure, support community facilities, and strengthen local economies in ways that primarily help low-to-moderate income people while addressing local health and safety concerns. Project awards are available in several categories for a wide range of community development initiatives.

CDBG Competitive Cycle allows communities to apply for improvements to nearly any publicly-owned facility or infrastructure, as well as the clearance of vacant, dilapidated buildings.

Community Facilities: This program helps Missouri communities construct facilities that will serve a large portion of the public with a variety of services. With education and health/well-being programs taking priority, communities can utilize this program to construct senior centers, day care centers, rural health clinics, telecommunications, and 911 services, among others.