Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Missouri

U.S. Small Business Administration

SBA works to ignite change and spark action so small businesses can confidently start, grow, expand, or recover. Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

Manufacturing grants

SBA provides grants to help empower small manufacturers.

Empower To Grow (E2G) Manufacturing in America Grant

The goal of this grant is to provide workforce development in key manufacturing industries, such as timber, energy, aluminum, steel, digital, and automotive.

SBA is looking for organizations that will provide technical proficiency and essential skills, including operating machinery, quality control, welding, utilizing industrial software, and workplace safety. 

Elisa B. Hughey Scholarship for the Arts

Scholarships will be awarded annually from this fund for college-bound students from any Cattaraugus County High School committed to advancing their skills in any aspect of the arts. Preference will be for graduating seniors of Ellicottville, Cattaraugus-Little Valley, West Valley, Salamanca or Franklinville/Ten-Broeck Academy high schools. First preference will be for students pursuing the fine arts, with second preference for students pursuing performing arts fields. This award is not limited to students majoring in art.

Disabled Veterans National Foundation

The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) was established in 2007 to support veterans facing challenges that traditional systems could not fully address. From its earliest days, DVNF has been focused on closing critical gaps in care and providing resources that help veterans rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.

Guided by this commitment, DVNF developed its Health & Comfort programs, offering emergency financial assistance, housing transition support, food assistance, comfort kits, and wellness initiatives. These programs are designed to meet veterans where they are and to provide practical solutions that restore hope and stability. Today, DVNF continues to grow as a trusted national nonprofit. Every day, our team works with a clear purpose: to change lives for the men and women who have served our country.

Veterans Food Assistance Program

It is our goal to ensure that no veteran goes hungry by providing essential food assistance and household support, fostering stability and well-being in the lives of our veterans and their families.

The Veterans Food Assistance Program (VFAP) is designed to provide a one-time grant of essential food and household support to veterans and their families, ensuring no veteran goes hungry. With the rising cost of living, especially food prices due to inflation, this program offers a much-needed lifeline to those who have served our country. Once approved, the DVNF program team will handle the shopping for you.

The Veterans Food Assistance Program provides a one-time grant per household to support different family sizes, given the rising cost of food:

• Married Veterans Grant Allowance
  • Married - No Children up to $250
  • Married - 1 Child up to $300
  • Married - 2 Children up to $450
  • Married - 3+ Children up to $500
• Single Veterans Grant Allowance
  • Single - No Children up to $200
  • Single - 1 Child up to $300
  • Single - 2 Children up to $350
  • Single - 3+ Children up to $450

The Career Development Bridge Funding Award from the Rheumatology Research Foundation aims to support early and mid-career researchers facing funding challenges. This program provides $200,000 over two years to help investigators refine their NIH or equivalent grant applications while pursuing innovative research in rheumatic diseases. By fostering the next generation of rheumatologists, the foundation seeks to enhance patient care and advance treatment options for those affected by these conditions.

The Scientist Development Award from the Rheumatology Research Foundation supports early career professionals in rheumatology research. This award provides funding for salary and research training, aiming to enhance the skills of trainees and ensure a robust workforce in rheumatology. With a maximum of $75,000 per year, this initiative encourages innovative research and mentorship opportunities to improve treatment options for patients with rheumatic diseases.

Rooted in rural.

Committed to your community

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. 

Our Mission

Working together to help rural communities thrive.

Grant Types

Open Call Grants

Patterson Family Foundation’s Open Call Grants are publicly announced and submitted through the Grants Portal. Applications are reviewed using criteria aligned with the Foundation’s priorities, including community impact, feasibility, sustainability, and readiness to implement the proposed work in the Kansas or western Missouri rural community. 

This opportunity increases access to mental health support by expanding services, strengthening local care networks, and promoting prevention, harm reduction, and behavioral health education. Projects should create supportive environments that reduce stigma, increase awareness, and help residents access appropriate care. Applicants should plan to report on services delivered, residents served, improvements in access or awareness, and partnerships that enhance local mental health support.

The MyGOAL Autism Grant Program provides essential financial support for families caring for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This need-based grant assists with non-reimbursable medical expenses, nutritional needs, personal care, and educational enrichment activities. With a funding amount of $1000, the program prioritizes first-time applicants and aims to enhance the well-being and development of children with ASD, addressing gaps left by other funding sources.

The Limited Competition: Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program's Collaborative and Innovative Acceleration Award aims to enhance translational research by fostering collaboration in developing and implementing innovative solutions. This funding opportunity invites applications focused on new approaches and technologies that will improve research impact across various diseases and expedite treatment availability. Eligible applicants include organizations with active CTSA hub prime or partnering awards.

The Heiser Program for Research in Leprosy, established by Dr. Victor G. Heiser, focuses on innovative biomedical research to combat leprosy. Since 1975, it has funded over 200 grants totaling more than $20 million, supporting early-career researchers and significant projects. The program aims to enhance diagnostic tools, improve treatments, and implement effective surveillance strategies. With a dedicated Scientific Advisory Committee, it ensures rigorous proposal reviews and fosters collaboration among grantees, ultimately advancing leprosy elimination efforts.

The Women in Rhetoric and Logic Scholarship, established by the Sandia Foundation, supports female students from Albuquerque Academy pursuing higher education in the U.S. This one-time, non-renewable award of up to $3,000 aims to empower young women by alleviating financial burdens associated with college. Applicants must present a high school transcript, a résumé, a personal essay detailing their college aspirations, and a letter of reference. Preference is given to those with debate team experience.

The Culpeper Rotary Foundation Scholarship supports residents of Culpeper County pursuing a four-year degree. With a $1,000 award renewable for four years, applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation manages the scholarship application process, emphasizing community involvement. This initiative reflects NPCF's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the region, ensuring that local students have the support they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.

The Woodcock Family Education Scholarship Program, established in 1993 by C.E. (Woody) Woodcock and Dixie, offers merit-based scholarships of up to $10,000 for Albuquerque metro area high school seniors excelling in science and math. With a strong belief in the importance of education, the program aims to support students with a minimum GPA of 3.8 who demonstrate exceptional promise and commitment to these fields. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years.

The Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships, offered by the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, provides a $7,500 annual scholarship for doctoral students completing coursework at accredited institutions. Applicants may receive up to $15,000 in pre-candidacy scholarships and a total of $45,000 throughout their doctoral program. The Foundation encourages research in areas such as acute care, cardiology, pulmonary health, and PT education, fostering a new generation of skilled researchers in physical therapy.

Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Educational Scholarship

Established by Ben and Rose Schwabenbauer, former long-time teachers in the Olean City School District, this fund awards scholarships for graduating seniors from Olean High School, Otto-Eldred High School, Portville Central School or Bradford Area High School who will be attending a 4-year college with a preference for students majoring in education, particularly elementary education; criminal justice or a law enforcement-related field; or healthcare-related fields of study. 

The William F. Mann Scholarship, established in 2018, supports Albuquerque High School students pursuing full-time college education. It aims to assist students in achieving their educational goals while encouraging community service and good citizenship. Scholarships of up to $2,000 are awarded annually, with recipients expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for renewal eligibility. Preference is given to those with a strong community service background, fostering mentorship among peers for future success.

The Davis-Kozoll Scholarship, established in 2019 by the Sandia Foundation, supports students from northwest New Mexico pursuing higher education in science or human service disciplines. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and can be renewed annually based on academic progress. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0, demonstrate community ties, and may pursue various degrees or vocational certificates. Priority is given to students from specific local communities, enhancing educational opportunities in the region.

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program aims to enhance access to high-quality early education for low-income children. Funding up to $1.5 million is available for innovative proposals that improve professional development for early educators. Key priorities include scalable coaching models, leadership development for under-resourced communities, and community-wide substitute teacher pools. This initiative is designed to tackle significant gaps identified in early childhood education and support effective learning environments.

The Colin and Sally Rowell Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to graduating seniors from Butler County, KS high schools pursuing higher education or vocational training. This scholarship aims to support students with a demonstrated interest in education or agriculture, emphasizing financial need and potential for success in college. It reflects the foundation's mission to strengthen communities through charitable giving, promoting rural philanthropy in the central Kansas region.

Delta Workforce Grant Program

The Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP) is an initiative designed to build long-term community capacity and increase economic competitiveness by providing grants to support workforce training and education programs throughout the lower Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions.

DWP supports projects and initiatives that create a more vibrant economic future for the Delta region by expanding opportunities to recruit, train, and retain a diverse and local workforce; aligning workforce and economic development strategies; creating sustainable talent pipelines; establishing or enhancing locally/regionally significant sector-based partnerships; and supporting enhanced workforce productivity through investments in innovative programming or services.

The Clifford and Rubye Angleton Scholarship Fund, managed by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors and college students from Butler County, Kansas, pursuing higher education. Scholarships are based on available funds and applicants' merit. Recipients may renew their scholarships for up to three years with satisfactory academic progress. This initiative emphasizes the importance of rural philanthropy and aims to empower local students to achieve their educational goals.

The Clinician Scholar Educator Award, funded by the Rheumatology Research Foundation, aims to enhance education in musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases for future healthcare professionals. With an award amount of $210,000 over three years, this program supports rheumatology professionals dedicated to education and training, ensuring a well-prepared workforce to meet the growing needs of patients with rheumatic diseases.

The Health Professional Online Education Grant, offered by the Rheumatology Research Foundation, aims to enhance the skills of non-physician rheumatology professionals. By covering registration costs for the Advanced Rheumatology Course, this grant addresses the growing need for knowledgeable healthcare providers in rheumatology, ensuring better patient care for those with rheumatic diseases. This initiative supports the Foundation's mission to cultivate a robust workforce and improve health outcomes for patients.

The Imogene Coca Compassion in Care Scholarship, offered by the Delaware Community Foundation, aims to support Delaware residents pursuing degrees in nursing or medical fields. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and either have been employed for at least five years or hold an Associate's degree from a community college. This one-time award of $2,000 is part of DCF's broader commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and equity in Delaware.

The Whitney R. Harris and Saint Louis Zoo Fellowship in Animal Conservation offers a fully-funded master's or Ph.D. opportunity for motivated graduates. This fellowship aims to cultivate future leaders in animal conservation through a structured program that includes stipends, tuition waivers, and research funding. Enrolled fellows will participate in workshops and internships to enhance their impact in conservation efforts. The fellowship is a collaboration between the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the Saint Louis Zoo.

The EMF EMRA Resident Research Grant, funded by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Foundation, aims to enhance research in emergency medicine by providing up to $10,000 for residents in accredited programs. This grant promotes the development of future researchers, improves patient care, and supports effective health policy through rigorous scientific inquiry. Eligible applicants must be ACGME-approved residents and secure a faculty preceptor's support, ensuring a robust educational experience in research methodologies.

The BJA FY 2026 Tribal Justice Training and Technical Assistance Program aims to enhance Tribal justice systems through specialized technical support. This funding opportunity addresses critical issues such as violent crime and substance-use related crime, including opioids. By assisting federally recognized Indian Tribes, the program promotes the development of sustainable legal and corrections infrastructure while fostering collaboration with federal, state, and local partners. Applications are due by October 28, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET.

The Jenna’s Rainbow Moving Forward Grant, offered by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, provides crucial financial assistance to adult survivors of brain or spinal cord tumors. Aimed at fostering independence, this grant supports costs associated with job transitions, new living situations, and resources to enhance self-sufficiency. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, diagnosed before 21, and not have received recent funding from CBTF or JRF. This initiative empowers survivors to overcome challenges and move forward in their lives.