Best Grants for Computers for Nonprofits in Missouri

The Ozarks Teacher Corps Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers eight $4,000 scholarships for undergraduate students majoring in Education at select Missouri universities. To qualify, applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA, attend mandatory workshops, and commit to teaching in a rural community for three years post-graduation. This initiative aims to support future educators and enhance educational opportunities in rural areas.

The Patricia Higham Nursing Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards a $1,200 scholarship to an undergraduate student attending the College of Health Professions at Southwest Baptist University. Applicants must demonstrate community service involvement and work experience, as well as submit an essay along with their application. To qualify, students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher and provide a transcript. This scholarship aims to support aspiring nursing professionals in their educational journey.

The School Age Community Grant supports school-based programs catering to children aged 5 to 12, including those with disabilities. It aims to enhance academic achievement through various activities such as tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment programs. The grant encourages applications from local education agencies, with funding options for single or multiple sites. Priority points are awarded for targeting schools with higher needs and for year-round programming, ensuring that diverse community needs are met effectively.

The Paul and Joe Anne Ripley Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers two $10,000 scholarships annually for undergraduate students at Three Rivers College. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, enroll in at least 12 credit hours, and demonstrate financial need by submitting a FAFSA-SAI. This scholarship is non-renewable for students majoring in Physical Education, Coaching, or similar fields, and an essay is required.

The Physical Therapy Specialist/Nathan Murphy Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards a $1,000 scholarship to a student enrolled in a law enforcement academy. Applicants must have graduated from a Missouri high school and submit a transcript along with an acceptance letter from their academy. This initiative aims to support students in achieving their educational goals while promoting careers in public service.

The PTSC Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards $2,500 to an undergraduate student at Missouri State University-Springfield. Applicants must be in their second or third year, have graduated from a Missouri high school, and submit an essay. Eligible candidates should be majoring in Education and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This scholarship aims to support students in their pursuit of higher education.

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant, managed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, aims to enhance student learning through various programmatic components. These include academic enrichment, family engagement, and a range of additional services that support students, particularly those in low-performing schools. The grant is designed to create safe environments for students after school hours, promoting holistic development through tutoring, arts, sports, and community service.

The Diann Bomkamp Leadership Scholarship, offered by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), supports students pursuing an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene in Missouri. Eligible applicants are required to demonstrate leadership within their Student ADHA Chapter and show active community volunteerism. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is necessary, along with enrollment in an accredited dental hygiene program, ensuring students have the resources to excel in their education and future careers.

The Quigley Jasper County Christian Athlete Scholarship, funded by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers a $500 scholarship for high school seniors from specific local schools. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need and describe their community service and sports involvement in an essay. This scholarship aims to support students pursuing higher education, particularly those majoring in Ministry, and is a part of the foundation's broader mission to enhance community quality of life through educational opportunities.

The Richard and Jeanne Cavender Scholarship for Public Service, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards a $1,500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior from select schools. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, participate in community service, and submit an essay. Eligible students should be pursuing degrees in fields such as Education, Healthcare, or Public Policy, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative supports local youth in achieving their educational goals.

The NCR-SARE Partnership Grant Program aims to enhance sustainable agriculture by fostering collaboration between agricultural professionals and groups of farmers. By facilitating innovative research and educational activities, this program supports projects that test new cropping strategies, develop marketing approaches, and enhance food security. Focused on the North Central Region, it encourages partnerships that drive on-farm research, ultimately improving economic viability and environmental stewardship for communities across 12 states.

The External Collaborative Research Grants by Boehringer Ingelheim support academic and clinical scientists in proposing research studies. These grants facilitate collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, which may provide intellectual and financial support. Applicants must assume full responsibility for their research while complying with regulatory standards. The funding should cover research costs, excluding salary support for the collaborative partner. Interested investigators must apply online for consideration.

The Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program aims to eliminate derelict fishing traps nationwide. Focused on collaboration, it emphasizes standardized data collection, quantifying impacts, and comprehensive data sharing. With an annual budget of up to $1,475,000, the program supports 6 to 15 projects, providing grants ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 for 18-month initiatives. This effort significantly enhances marine resource conservation by reducing bycatch mortality and removing abandoned traps.

The Disaster Resilience Program, supported by Equal Justice Works, aims to provide free civil legal aid to communities affected by disasters in the Midwest. With funding for attorney and summer law student fellows, the program addresses the unique legal needs of low-income families, helping them recover from the impacts of disasters. This initiative not only stabilizes lives but also promotes resilience in communities by ensuring access to essential legal services.

The SEARCH Grant provides essential support for very small, financially distressed rural communities by funding predevelopment feasibility studies and technical assistance for water and waste disposal projects. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes. Funds can be used for feasibility studies, design analysis, and technical help in securing financial assistance, ensuring improvements in rural infrastructure and community health.

The USDA Rural Development program provides essential loans and grants to improve water and waste disposal services in low-income communities, specifically targeting Colonias recognized before 1989. This initiative aims to alleviate health risks associated with inadequate access to safe drinking water and waste management. Eligible applicants include federally-recognized tribes and local governments, with funds supporting the construction of vital infrastructure to ensure community health and sustainability.

The Water and Waste Facility Loans and Grants program aims to provide safe drinking water and waste disposal services to low-income communities on Tribal lands, addressing significant health risks. Eligible applicants include federally-recognized Tribes, state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Funding can be used for constructing essential water and waste systems, and while matching funds are typically required, a full grant is possible under certain conditions. Applications are accepted year-round.

The Harold H. Lurie MD Scholarship, provided by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards a $450 grant to postgraduate medical students entering their second, third, or fourth year at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate financial need through FAFSA-SAI, maintain good academic standing, and submit a personal essay. This scholarship supports students dedicated to advancing their medical education and career in healthcare.

The Innovation Grant to Expand a Child Care Program in Missouri aims to enhance access to quality child care for families by providing funding to licensed providers. This initiative, supported by the Child Care Development Fund, encourages business partnerships and community contributions to address the child care shortage. Eligible providers can utilize the funds for expansion, staff training, and facility improvements, ensuring compliance with state health and safety standards and promoting a robust workforce in early childhood education.

The MFA Oil Foundation Grant offers cash support to nonprofit organizations focused on enhancing communities where MFA Oil operates. With a mission to bolster rural areas, the foundation prioritizes initiatives that develop youth leadership, agricultural education, and community problem-solving. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt nonprofits and accredited educational institutions. However, grants are not available for operating expenses, political lobbying, or individual support. This initiative seeks to empower organizations that create sustainable change in their communities.

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is the administrative arm of the State Board of Education. It is primarily a service agency that works with educators, legislators, government agencies, community leaders and citizens to maintain a strong public education system. Through its statewide school-improvement activities and regulatory functions, the Department strives to assure that all citizens have access to high-quality public education. DESE does not regulate, monitor or accredit private, parochial or home schools.

The Department’s responsibilities range from early childhood to adult education services.

Innovation Grants

House Bill 2 (2025) allocated funds from Missouri’s Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) to be used towards innovation grants to increase access to high quality child care across Missouri during Fiscal Year 2026. These grants are available to child care providers in two forms:

• Innovation Grant to Start-Up a New Child Care Program for prospective child care providers wanting to start a new licensed child care program.
• Innovation Grant to Expand a Child Care Program for currently licensed child care providers.

Innovation Grant funds must be used to implement solutions to reduce the child care shortage in the state, including but not limited to the following:

• Funding for child care business start-ups or expansion
• Staff training and professional development
• Minor modifications or improvements to the facility that are required for licensing
• Incentives to retain employees
• Assistance with licensing and other regulatory requirements

Innovation Grant to Start-Up a New Child Care Program

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Childhood, is offering the Innovation Grant to Start-Up a New Child Care Program to help providers open new, licensed child care programs to increase access to child care for families across the state. This opportunity provides funding support through matching business or community partnership contributions.

This is made possible using the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), which is a state and federal partnership program that provides financial assistance to low-income families to access child care so that they can work or attend a job training or educational program. Missouri also uses CCDF to invest in quality to benefit thousands more children by building the skills and qualifications of the teacher workforce, supporting child care programs to achieve higher standards, and providing consumer education to help parents select child care that meets their family’s needs. For this reason, any facility applying for the grant must be CCDF eligible in order to receive payment(s).

The Dr. William M. Walker Memorial Medical Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards a $9,000 grant to a postgraduate student entering their final year of medical school in Missouri or Iowa. Preference is given to veteran applicants. Eligible candidates must provide a letter of good standing, a personal essay, and a letter of recommendation. This scholarship aims to support future medical professionals in achieving their educational goals.

The Dr. Thomas E. and Mary M. Ashley Medical Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, provides an $8,000 grant to a postgraduate student in their third or fourth year at the University of Missouri School of Medicine–Springfield. Eligible candidates must demonstrate academic excellence and financial need, supported by a FAFSA-SAI form, a letter of good standing, and a personal essay, along with a letter of recommendation.

The goal of State Cyber Crime Grant (SCCG) is to make funds available to reduce internet sex crimes against children and improve public safety for children through investigations, forensics, and prevention. This program provides support for the continued operation of multi jurisdictional law enforcement cybercrime task forces. 

The Ann and Doug Sickles Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards $2,800 to an undergraduate student in their third or fourth year pursuing a degree in Health or Social Science at a Missouri college. Preference is given to students from specific high schools in Missouri. Applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 and provide a transcript along with a personal essay detailing their community service efforts.

The purpose of the Minority Police Officer Recruitment and Retention (MPORR) project is to support minority police officer recruitment and retention programs located in a city not within a county with such program being administered and overseen by an African-American police officer association that supports efforts in reducing crime in a city not in a county and county with more than one million inhabitants. 

Community Foundation of the Ozarks

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) provides philanthropic leadership to build stronger communities. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in our region through resource development, community grantmaking, collaboration and public leadership.

We help donors achieve their philanthropic goals through professional management and investment of charitable funds. We work with nonprofit organizations to help them fulfill their missions through fund administration, grantmaking and learning opportunities. We award scholarships to deserving students to help them achieve their educational goals.

Missouri Beef Days Grantmaking Program

Missouri Beef Days exists to appreciate those in the beef and agriculture industries and their contributions to the economy; educate all on the importance of beef to Missouri - economically, nutritionally, and environmentally; celebrate Missouri's top industry and all those involved. Established in 2022, Missouri Beef Days has provided beef to local schools, raised over $100,000 in scholarship funding, and made community improvements in Polk County.

Missouri Beef Days seeks to support projects related to increasing access to agricultural education for students and will award three grants this cycle. Grant proposals are accepted according to an announced timetable, and grant recommendations are made as funds are available. .