Best Grants for Community Service Projects in Missouri

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 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 Neighborhood Empowerment Grant program supports Kansas City's communities by funding projects that enhance public safety, neighborhood identity, and quality of life. By fostering community engagement and supporting local initiatives, this grant empowers neighborhoods to thrive. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit Neighborhood Associations registered with the City of Kansas City and the State of Missouri. This initiative is vital for building stronger, safer, and more vibrant communities, ensuring the needs of residents are prioritized.

Patterson Family Foundation

The Patterson Family Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a family-led foundation that extends the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. The Foundation’s mission, “Working together to help rural communities thrive,” is carried forward through strategic grantmaking and other collaborative initiatives that serve rural counties across Kansas and western Missouri. 

At the Patterson Family Foundation, we believe that thriving rural communities aren’t just about the numbers—they’re about the people who choose to live there. A strong and engaged community is built on essentials like access to good jobs, quality healthcare, educational opportunities, and a sense of belonging. But keeping rural communities strong doesn’t happen on its own—it takes all of us working together. That’s why we focus on working with local leaders, businesses, and organizations to invest in the areas that matter most, ensuring that rural places don’t just get by but thrive for generations to come.

Community Needs Grant

We continue to invest in community-focused work through dedicated programs and initiatives that strengthen local leadership and support long-term community vitality. Our Community Engagement opportunities for the 2026 cycle are offered through targeted, collaborative efforts rather than an open call application process, allowing us to work closely with communities and organizations on high-impact, locally driven projects.

This opportunity supports projects that strengthen resident retention and encourage former residents to return by enhancing the spaces, services, and community assets that make rural places appealing to live, work, and build a future. Projects should help communities create environments where people feel connected, supported, and inspired to stay or come home. Applicants should plan to report on community participation, improvements to key spaces or assets, and early indicators of resident retention or increased engagement from returning residents. 

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.

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 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.

Emergency funding is available for projects that address a serious and immediate threat to the health and welfare of the community. The condition must be of recent origins (within 18 months of the event that caused the emergency), and the applicant must demonstrate that other financial resources are not available to address the need. All proposed activities must meet applicable CDBG eligibility requirements and a national objective. Emergency projects are typically evaluated under the Urgent Need national objective. Proposals are accepted at any time, but must be submitted within the required 18-month period. CDBG staff will review the proposal for eligibility and then invite the community to apply if conditions are met. 

To apply for an emergency project, please first reach out to the CDBG Project Development team for consult on the project. This will help ensure eligibility. Once the approval has been given for submitting an application, one of the team members will provide an application. It is encouraged to also reach out to the environmental review team to better understand what is needed and what can be waived for the emergency project.

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 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.

This program offers opportunity for eligible Missouri communities to engage in revitalization efforts to renew downtown areas and restore them to their former prominence as a center of community activity. 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. The Downtown Revitalization Program operates under an open cycle, meaning that applications will be accepted year-round and will be funded, if meeting the minimum criteria of the guidelines, until funding is no longer available.

This program helps communities develop public infrastructure that allows industries to locate new facilities, expand existing facilities, prevent the closing of a facility or the relocation of a facility outside the state. 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.

Investing in Our Communities

Regions Bank and Regions Foundation are committed to helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve financial success.

We work alongside nonprofit organizations, local businesses, government and service agencies to address social and economic issues, assist in building inclusive economic prosperity and help more members of our communities benefit from the rewards of a growing economy.

We make strategic and disciplined community investments in programs that seek to achieve three target outcomes:

Economic and Community Development

• Affordable housing
• Job creation
• Small business development
• Homebuyer education and retention
• Neighborhood revitalization and stabilization

Education and Workforce Readiness

• Student competency and skill building
• College and career readiness
• Educational access and success
• Credential building and employment
• Educator training and resources

Financial Wellness

• Financial education to youth, adults, and vulnerable populations
• Financial planning tools and resources, including Regions Next Step®
• Integrated asset-building

The Brownfield Remediation Program, administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, offers financial incentives for the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated commercial and industrial sites abandoned for at least three years. Eligible applicants include any Missouri taxpayer, with tax credits potentially covering up to 100% of remediation costs. The program encourages environmental restoration while promoting economic growth through job creation in affected communities.

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.