Best Grants for Museums in Missouri

The Carl Morrow Annual Giving Program, initiated by the Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust in 1994, honors the legacy of Carl Morrow, a dedicated conservationist. This small grants program aims to enhance appreciation for Missouri's natural resources and supports projects with statewide significance. With an annual granting history exceeding $17,000, it prioritizes initiatives that foster conservation awareness and education, ensuring a sustainable future for Missouri's outdoor heritage.

The Ozark Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers Scholarship offers two $1,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing engineering. This renewable scholarship requires a minimum 2.0 GPA, enrollment in 12 credit hours, and submission of FAFSA-SAI to demonstrate financial need. Applicants must provide an essay, community service description, and two letters of recommendation. Preference is given to children of MSPE members and students in foster care.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Missouri’s air, land and water resources play an important role in our health and are essential to the environmental and economic vitality of our state. The department aspires to help Missouri citizens thrive by advancing environmental and economic sustainability. The department provides a range of services to help Missouri citizens, communities and businesses in these efforts. The department also provides opportunities to learn more about Missouri’s natural and cultural history at our state parks and historic sites.

Our Mission: We serve as stewards of our natural resources to benefit Missourians. The department's values and Strategic Initiative Plan guide the department as it moves. The department accomplishes its mission through its Division of Administrative Support, Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Missouri Geological Survey and Missouri State Parks. 

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Engineering Report Grant

Under the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) program, the department provides Engineering Report Grants to small communities for developing plans or engineering reports related to the following:

• Compliance with new permit requirements
• Ability to provide safe drinking water

The community uses the funds to hire an engineer to produce a plan or report that either evaluates improvements to their drinking water system or consolidated or regionalized a nearby system. The report identifies the system’s needs, evaluates the existing facility or system, describes all the options to meet project goals, provides cost estimates and recommends the best alternatives. The report must strive to make reasonable and cost-effective recommendations for system improvements to meet Missouri Safe Drinking Water Law requirements. The final plan or report must be signed and sealed by a professional engineer registered in the State of Missouri.

The Norbertine and John Mais Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, provides a $500 award to a graduating high school senior from specific schools in the region. Applicants must pursue a degree in Engineering, Home Economics, or Child Development, maintain a GPA of 3.75 or above, and submit an essay detailing their community service and school activities. This scholarship aims to support students in achieving their educational aspirations.

The UNICO Foundation's Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship provides two scholarships of $2,500 each to students pursuing a degree. Open to all ethnicities, applicants must be U.S. citizens, attend an accredited college full-time, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. They should continue their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year and may apply if sponsored by a UNICO chapter from specific states. This initiative underscores UNICO's commitment to supporting educational opportunities for deserving students.

The UNICO Foundation offers the Louise Torraco Memorial Scholarship for Science, providing two scholarships worth $2,500 each to U.S. citizens pursuing degrees in physical or life sciences. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled full-time in accredited programs. This initiative reflects UNICO's commitment to supporting educational pursuits in scientific fields while fostering Italian American heritage and community service.

The Ella T. Grasso Literary Scholarship, provided by the UNICO Foundation, offers two $1,000 awards to college students of Italian descent. Candidates must submit an original essay or short story celebrating their heritage while being enrolled in a full-time, accredited U.S. college for the 2026-2027 academic year. This initiative highlights UNICO's commitment to supporting educational endeavors and preserving Italian culture within America.

The Bernard and Carolyn Torraco Memorial Nursing Scholarships, funded by the UNICO Foundation, offer $2,500 scholarships to students pursuing accredited nursing programs in the United States. These scholarships support nursing students of all ethnicities who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens and enrolled in a campus-based program, with a focus on continuing their studies within the academic year 2025-2026.

The UNICO Foundation offers the Dr. Benjamin Cottone Memorial Scholarship, providing $5,000 to support a U.S. citizen of Italian descent pursuing a medical degree. Eligible candidates must be seniors at accredited colleges or medical schools, with proof of enrollment required. This scholarship not only aids education but also honors the foundation's commitment to community service and heritage, reflecting the core values of the Italian American community.

The Sergeant John Basilone Memorial Graduate Scholarship, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two awards of $3,000 each for graduate students of Italian descent. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time in accredited programs, and reside in specified states. The scholarship supports students pursuing graduate studies in the academic year 2026-2027. UNICO promotes Italian American heritage and community service, making this scholarship a valuable opportunity for deserving students.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) Capacity Building opportunity aims to enhance the capabilities of university researchers in eligible states. Managed by the DoD, this initiative focuses on increasing the number of researchers capable of conducting relevant science and engineering research. The program also seeks to strengthen institutions of higher education and improve their competitiveness for federal research funding, ultimately fostering long-term growth in financial assistance for scientific research.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible states by increasing the number of university researchers and institutions conducting relevant science and engineering research. Sponsored by the Department of Defense, this program will fund multiyear awards to promote research aligned with national security needs. Applications require a multi-stage submission process, emphasizing early registration and timely proposal submissions.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

William Everett and Mary Ellen Mealman Scholarship

PBI/Gordon Corporation believes a college education is an important investment in the lives of young people. PBI/Gordon Corporation also wishes to honor Everett Mealman for his long-time service to the corporation and Mary Ellen Mealman for her support of Everett in carrying out his duties to the corporation and for her representation of the corporation in various social activities, and it wishes to honor both Everett and Mary Ellen Mealman for their commitment to education, their entrepreneurial spirit, and their steadfast loyalty to the employee-owners of PBI/Gordon Corporation.

The purpose of the Fund shall be to provide scholarships to children or grandchildren of employees of PBI/Gordon who intend to further their education at a two-year or four-year college or university, or a trade or vocational school. Employees are those individuals who are employed full-time at the time of application.

Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri

The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri Inc. was established in 2009 as a 501(c)3 public charity to help donors support their favorite charities while receiving maximum tax advantage.

We serve as a vehicle for charitable giving, helping donors give to the causes they care about. Donor gifts will strengthen nonprofits increasing programs and services. 

St Joseph School District Foundation ECHO Scholarship

Established by ECHO to be awarded to a graduating second-year student that will be employed in the construction field after graduation from high school OR continuing postsecondary training in the field of construction.

The National Art Shop/Sanders Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards two $425 scholarships to undergraduate students at Missouri State University-Springfield or Ozarks Technical Community College. Applicants must demonstrate financial need via FAFSA-SAI, describe their work experience, and submit an essay. The scholarship aims to support art majors with a GPA of 2.5 or above, helping them pursue their educational goals.

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation 

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is a nationally respected leader in charitable giving, dedicated to improving quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing philanthropy, educating and connecting donors to community needs, and leading on critical local issues. Founded in 1978 with a simple belief that charitable giving should be accessible to all, the Foundation has grown into one of the largest and most innovative public charities in the country, offering donor advised funds and other giving vehicles that make philanthropy convenient, efficient, and impactful. Today, it manages more than $7 billion in assets, administers over 7,000 charitable funds, and has distributed more than $8 billion in grants, consistently ranking among the top community foundations nationwide.

R. E. (Rosey) Roseberry and Eileen E. Roseberry Scholarship Fund at the College of the Ozarks

R. E. (Rosey) Roseberry and Eileen E. Roseberry Scholarship Fund provides scholarship support to residents of Kansas or Missouri who are enrolled as full time students at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. Eligible applicants must have been residents of Kansas or Missouri for at least ten years at the time of application and must maintain continuous enrollment with a minimum 2.5 GPA to remain eligible. Scholarship award amounts vary, recipients may reapply in subsequent years, and the fund is administered through the Franklin County Community Foundation, supporting students in pursuing their postsecondary education.

Greater Kansas City Community Foundation 

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is a nationally respected leader in charitable giving, dedicated to improving quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing philanthropy, educating and connecting donors to community needs, and leading on critical local issues. Founded in 1978 with a simple belief that charitable giving should be accessible to all, the Foundation has grown into one of the largest and most innovative public charities in the country, offering donor advised funds and other giving vehicles that make philanthropy convenient, efficient, and impactful. Today, it manages more than $7 billion in assets, administers over 7,000 charitable funds, and has distributed more than $8 billion in grants, consistently ranking among the top community foundations nationwide.

Terracon Foundation Scholarship

Terracon Foundation offers scholarship assistance to support the educational pursuits of children, stepchildren, and other eligible dependents of current Terracon employees. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited community college, college or university, associate degree program, vocational or technical school, trade school, or certificate program, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, and demonstrate financial need. Students in any field of study are eligible, with preference given to those pursuing science, technology, engineering, or math disciplines, and awards are distributed geographically. Recipients may reapply annually, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Harley and Geneva Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund

This fund was established in memory of Harley and Geneva Anderson by their Family to provide academic scholarships for students to/from the Kansas City area and Scandinavia.

The Missouri Beef Days Charitable Scholarship Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers a $1,000 scholarship for students pursuing degrees in agricultural fields. Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and are required to submit a transcript, an essay, and details about their community service involvement. This initiative helps foster education and community service among future agricultural leaders.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Erin Langhofer, MSW, LCSW Scholarship Fund

This scholarship opportunity was established in memory of Erin Langhofer. Erin was a graduate of the University of Kansas and a practicing therapist in the Kansas City area working with survivors of domestic violence. She had a bright future ahead of her when she was killed from a random act of gun violence. The scholarship fund was established to honor her memory and continue the good she was doing in the world, by assisting students in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas.

Candidates will be selected from an application completed by their Field Practicum Instructor or Liaison that will be used to identify individuals that are doing outstanding work in the field. This pool of candidates will be further reviewed by the School of Social Welfare Scholarship Committee to select the top 2 candidates.

The Missouri Association of RC & D Councils Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers a $1,500 scholarship to graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education in Agriculture, Natural Resources, or related fields. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, submit a FAFSA-SAI, and provide an essay along with two letters of recommendation. This scholarship aims to support students in achieving their educational goals while promoting community service and engagement.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Missouri’s air, land and water resources play an important role in our health and are essential to the environmental and economic vitality of our state. The department aspires to help Missouri citizens thrive by advancing environmental and economic sustainability. The department provides a range of services to help Missouri citizens, communities and businesses in these efforts. The department also provides opportunities to learn more about Missouri’s natural and cultural history at our state parks and historic sites.

Our Mission: We serve as stewards of our natural resources to benefit Missourians. The department's values and Strategic Initiative Plan guide the department as it moves. The department accomplishes its mission through its Division of Administrative Support, Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Missouri Geological Survey and Missouri State Parks.

CWSRF On-site Wastewater Treatment System Grant

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' grant program for on-site wastewater systems provides pass-through grant funding to one or more qualified nonprofits to implement the program in select areas of the state. The On-site Wastewater Treatment System Grants will assist private (non-commercial) and single-family homeowners in select watersheds with identified water quality concerns related to nutrients. It is anticipated that the grants will be used to either:

• Repair or replace failing or poorly functioning onsite wastewater systems or
• Connect to a larger decentralized or centralized wastewater treatment system

The goals of this grant program are to improve and protect public health and water quality by focusing on watersheds with nutrient impairments and implement infrastructure improvements, regardless of home lot size, with effective designs and proper installation that follow local and state health statutes and rules. Maintenance is also key to ensure the newly installed systems continue to provide protections for their expected useful life.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Missouri’s air, land and water resources play an important role in our health and are essential to the environmental and economic vitality of our state. The department aspires to help Missouri citizens thrive by advancing environmental and economic sustainability. The department provides a range of services to help Missouri citizens, communities and businesses in these efforts. The department also provides opportunities to learn more about Missouri’s natural and cultural history at our state parks and historic sites.

Our Mission: We serve as stewards of our natural resources to benefit Missourians. The department's values and Strategic Initiative Plan guide the department as it moves. The department accomplishes its mission through its Division of Administrative Support, Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Missouri Geological Survey and Missouri State Parks.

CWSRF Integrated Management Plan Grant

Under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, the department provides Integrated Management Plan Grants to small and medium communities for developing integrated management plans. These plans identify and prioritize existing and future investments for municipal wastewater and stormwater management, and may include drinking water management, in a manner that is affordable to ratepayers.

Funding is provided by the CWSRF fund, capitalization grant additional subsidization allocation. Funding is offered through a competitive, annual funding cycle. 

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Life on Purpose Scholarship Fund

We provide scholarships for college tuition and expenses to students who demonstrate an interest in developing their unique potential in and beyond the classroom and using their talents to foster the well-being of themselves and others. This scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years ($10,000 per year) pending all requirements are met.

Cohort

The cohort program is grounded in developing authentic, meaningful relationships and connections. Learning experiences are designed to explore our strengths, personalities, guiding principles, and unique potential in a safe and accepting environment. If selected for this scholarship, you can expect to meet scholars, instructors and leaders all focused on improving themselves, their relationships, and the community.

The Michael Vyrostek Musicians Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers a $1,000 scholarship to graduating high school seniors from specific schools in Missouri. Eligible students must have participated in a music program for two of their four high school years and are required to submit an essay and describe their community service. This fund aims to support aspiring musicians in their pursuit of higher education.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Kansas City Country Club Scholarship Fund

The Kansas City Country Club Scholarship Fund supports a successful path for our employees, their children and step children to attain a degree or trade school degree creating an increasingly valuable asset for themselves and their families.

Length of employment is taken into consideration when applying, There are no restrictions on length of employment or full or part time status. Applicants will be considered based on academic performance, community service, extracurricular activities and financial need.

The Specialty Care Access Grant Program, managed by the Patterson Family Foundation, aims to enhance access to specialty medical services in rural communities of Kansas and western Missouri. Organizations eligible for funding include nonprofits, school districts, and government entities serving these areas. The program emphasizes collaboration with local leaders to ensure quality healthcare access for communities, particularly in maternal care, oncology, and mental health, while encouraging early submission of proposals for timely review.