Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Missouri

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 Norfolk Southern In-Kind Donation Grant supports organizations seeking physical donations of materials that align with their focus areas, including safety, sustainability, workforce development, and thriving communities. This grant is available year-round, with no application deadline. Recipients must be located within Norfolk Southern territory and are encouraged to apply for resources that will enhance their community projects and initiatives, fostering growth and resilience.

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.

Kris Paper Legacy Scholarship for Women in Technology Fund

The Kris Paper Legacy Scholarship for Women in Technology Fund provides an annual scholarship to a graduating female high school senior or returning female college student who intends to further their education at a two-year or four-year college or university or at a vocational or technical school who share Kris Paper’s love of technology and will be seeking a degree in a technology related field.

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.

Lois Oxley Sandford Scholarship Fund

The purpose of this fund is to provide scholarships for students pursing a degree in nursing, public school teaching or to become a Licensed Unity Teacher.

This scholarship is renewable through completion of the program. This scholarship is intended for students currently in college and is not for high school seniors.

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.

Mary J. Weber Memorial Scholarship Fund

The purpose of the Mary J. Weber Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarships to high school graduates who intend to further their education at a two-year or four-year college or university or trade/technical school. Preference will be given to graduates of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and Andale High School in Andale, Kansas. The Fund is established in memory of Mary J. Weber, a 1960 graduate of Andale High School.

Scholarships are not automatically renewable, however scholarship recipients may re-apply in years after their initial receipt of the scholarship.

The Norfolk Southern Trades on Track SkillPointe Scholarship offers $5,000 scholarships for students pursuing trades education related to the rail industry. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in a post-secondary institution and focused on railway-related trades. With over 1,000 scholarships funded and a mission to close the skills gap, this initiative empowers individuals towards high-demand careers without requiring a four-year degree, ultimately strengthening the workforce and economy.

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.

Mel Brown Memorial Golf Scholarship Fund

The purpose of the Fund shall be to provide post-secondary scholarships to graduating seniors from Chillicothe High School, in Chillicothe, Missouri, or Gardner Edgerton High School, in Gardner Kansas, who were members of the golf team and who plan to continue their education at a two-year or four-year college or university or at a technical school.

The type and amount of aid may include, but is not necessarily limited to a non-renewable $1,000 scholarship for a female student and a non-renewable $1,000 scholarship for a male student meeting the criteria above to be used for tuition, fees, room and board, textbooks and/or required course-related materials. Scholarship assistance will generally be disbursed in equal payments (e.g., one-half in the fall semester and one-half in the spring semester), as long as the recipient provides proof of full-time enrollment.

The "I'm Pet Friendly" License Plate Grants aim to enhance spay and neuter programs across Missouri by providing funding to eligible animal shelters and non-profit organizations. By purchasing specialty license plates, individuals contribute to a fund that supports these initiatives. Grants are evaluated by a panel and awarded based on the availability of funds, ensuring effective use of resources to reduce the pet population and improve animal health care in the state.

The Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Program supports small agribusinesses in urban Missouri, offering funding for projects that enhance agribusiness sustainability and economic growth. Eligible projects include business plan development, community gardens, and training programs for workforce development. Grants cover up to 75% of project costs, with a maximum award of $10,000, aimed at fostering local agricultural initiatives and infrastructure. This program encourages innovation in urban farming and aims to strengthen local economies.

The Missouri State Parks Bus Grant Program provides funding to schools and nonprofit organizations to cover transportation costs for field trips to state parks and historic sites. This initiative aims to enhance outdoor learning experiences for children, connecting them with nature while promoting cultural and recreational opportunities. Eligible costs include bus mileage, charter services, and driver wages. The program supports a maximum of two grants per school district to ensure broad access to these valuable educational resources.

The Research Foundation

The Research Foundation invests in health-centered programs and partnerships that benefit health care students and professionals, patients, and people in the Kansas City community.

The Research Foundation story began in 1965 when Research Hospital Foundation was formed to raise funds to help Research Hospital provide health care services to the community. For nearly 40 years, the foundation provided support to Research Medical Center to bring the latest in medical advancements and treatments and to provide a broad base of services to serve the health care needs of patients in the greater Kansas City community. With the purchase of Research Medical Center by the for-profit health care company HCA in 2003, The Research Foundation became an independent 501c(3) non-profit organization.

The Research Foundation serves the community and carries on the spirit of the original foundation through our many health-centered programs and partnerships.

Outstanding Community Service Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize the involvement of faculty members in outstanding service to the community. The award is given to those who demonstrate service to the community and encourages faculty and students to provide leadership and service that fosters community growth. Faculty members can be nominated on any one or more of the following criteria:

• Has inspired teachers and students to more actively perform community service
• Has developed or originated new service projects, including interdisciplinary projects that identify and help alleviate community health problems
• Has devised or demonstrated a new, original or pioneering community service model that has been emulated or proved successful over time
• Has shown leadership in demonstrating professional nursing’s cultural competence and commitment to community service
• Has demonstrated effective use of political and networking skills to promote implementation of effective community health policy
• Has demonstrated, in a scholarly manner, the importance and effectiveness of professional nursing service to the community

See the nomination requirements here.

The Research Foundation

The Research Foundation invests in health-centered programs and partnerships that benefit health care students and professionals, patients, and people in the Kansas City community.

The Research Foundation story began in 1965 when Research Hospital Foundation was formed to raise funds to help Research Hospital provide health care services to the community. For nearly 40 years, the foundation provided support to Research Medical Center to bring the latest in medical advancements and treatments and to provide a broad base of services to serve the health care needs of patients in the greater Kansas City community. With the purchase of Research Medical Center by the for-profit health care company HCA in 2003, The Research Foundation became an independent 501c(3) non-profit organization.

The Research Foundation serves the community and carries on the spirit of the original foundation through our many health-centered programs and partnerships.

Dr. Nancy O. DeBasio Faculty Leadership Award

The Dr. Nancy O. DeBasio Faculty Leadership Award is given annually to a nursing faculty member in honor of Dr. Nancy O. DeBasio, who served as president and dean of Research College of Nursing from 1992 to 2017. The purpose of this award is to recognize a rising leader and nurse educator who exemplifies the four pillars of leadership, as framed by Chris Lowney: self-awareness, ingenuity, love, and heroism. 

• Self-Awareness – An understanding of personal strengths and weakness as part of a worldview of nursing and health care
• Ingenuity – Confident innovation in adapting to changes in education, the community and the world
• Love – Engaging students and colleagues with a positive attitude that unlocks their potential and fosters their growth
• Heroism – Energizing self and others with ambitions and passions for heroic excellence in every aspect of life

Faculty will be eligible for the award once every three years.

See the nomination requirements here.

The MO Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) empowers agricultural producers to enhance their conservation practices and improve resource management on their lands. This program offers financial incentives based on conservation performance, encouraging sustainable agriculture across 70 million acres in the U.S. All producers, regardless of operation size, can apply, ensuring inclusivity. CSP contracts last five years, with the option to renew, promoting long-term stewardship of land while benefiting local ecosystems and communities.

The MO Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a key initiative by NRCS aimed at assisting farmers and forest landowners in integrating conservation practices into their operations. EQIP offers both financial and technical support to address vital natural resource issues including water quality, soil health, and erosion control. Applications are accepted year-round, and special provisions exist for historically underserved producers, ensuring equitable access to vital resources for sustainable agricultural practices.

The MO Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) offers Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) to protect the viability of agricultural land by limiting non-agricultural uses. Aimed at landowners, including tribes and local governments, the program prioritizes applications that enhance conservation values and protect contiguous agricultural acres. Benefits include safeguarding the nation's food supply, promoting environmental quality, and supporting local partnerships for land stewardship. Applications are accepted year-round, with funding cycles extending into future years.

The MO Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) offers Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) to assist landowners in restoring and protecting wetlands that have been degraded by agricultural practices. This program enhances habitat for wildlife, improves water quality, and mitigates flooding, while providing landowners with financial support for easement acquisition and restoration efforts. NRCS prioritizes applications that significantly benefit migratory birds and other wildlife, ensuring ecological sustainability and resilience against climate change.

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.

Opal M. Huffman Charitable Trust

Opal M. Huffman, a long time resident of Bates County, Missouri, established the Opal M. Huffman Charitable Trust for the purpose of providing scholarships to residents of Adrian and Butler, Missouri communities.

$2,500 for the fall semester; may be renewed for $1,000 for the spring semester if all criteria are met.

To be eligible for renewal, the recipient must:

• Maintain a GPA of at least 2.5
• Be enrolled as a full time student by the standards of the institution in which you are enrolled
• Provide your past semester transcript and a copy of your upcoming class schedule.

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.

Parkville Fine Arts Association

The Parkville Fine Arts Association (PFAA) Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarships to graduating seniors of Park Hill School District. The scholarships are intended to assist students who are pursuing higher education in the field of fine arts. Fine arts are defined as music, drama or the visual or performing arts.

The Missouri State Library advances the development and improvement of library services throughout the state, provides direct library and information service in support of the Missouri state government, and strives to ensure all Missourians have equal access to library services.

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.

Prosperity Planning Scholarship

The Prosperity Planning Scholarship fund was established to provide academic scholarships to graduating seniors attending a Northland School District who have demonstrated a strong work ethic both inside and outside the classroom.

Scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years providing that student maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.5 while in college and continues to demonstrate strong work ethic and have no disciplinary actions.

Scholarship will be used for tuition, books, course related fees, as well as on-campus housing expense.

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.

reJOYCE KC Foundation Scholarship Fund

The purpose of this fund is to honor all those in the profession of nursing. In addition, recognizing the legacy of Joyce Ann Maurer whose dedication and passion for her patients, family, and advancement in nursing education paved a trailblazing path for others to follow. This fund will assist students pursuing higher education to become an RN, BSN, or NP.

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.

Soroptimist International of Kansas City Northland Healthcare Scholarship

The Soroptimist International of Kansas City Northland Healthcare Scholarship provides an annual scholarship for a young woman going into her first year in a healthcare field.

The scholarship will be paid directly to the college or university that the scholarship recipient attends in installments of $500.00 for each semester upon meeting renewal criteria.

The scholarship is renewable for up to a total of four (4) years if the student remains enrolled in an accredited college or university and in a designated healthcare program, upon meeting renewal criteria and continuation in the healthcare field.

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.

Tony DiPardo Instrumental Music Foundation Scholarship

The Tony DiPardo Instrumental Music Foundation and Scholarship Fund was established in honor and memory of instrumental music leader Tony DiPardo to support students pursuing instrumental music education at the college or university level and also programs that enhance and encourage students’ appreciation for instrumental music.

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.

Virginia Whitsitt Memorial Scholarship

The Virginia Whitsitt Memorial Scholarship Fund program provides annual scholarships to graduating seniors in honor of Helen Virginia Whitsitt. Scholarship awards are focused on students interested in pursuing a career in teaching and that demonstrate financial need. If qualified applicants are not available, the scholarship may be awarded to teachers who have returned to school for their master’s degree in education.

One scholarship will be awarded annually and disbursed in equal payments in July and January. Recipients must continue to be enrolled full-time and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above the previous semester to be eligible for the second payment. Scholarship awards are non-renewable.

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 Cigna Group Foundation is launching the Improving Youth Mental Health Grant, committing $9 million over three years to enhance mental health support for youth aged five to 18. This initiative targets post-pandemic challenges, offering resources to parents, caregivers, and youth service professionals. Nonprofits are encouraged to apply for funding between $100,000 and $150,000 to develop programs that promote social-emotional skills, enhance caregiver support, and improve access to mental health interventions in underserved communities.

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.

Morning Grange #227 Scholarship Fund

The Morning Grange #227 Scholarship Fund will benefit students who are planning to attend a college or vocational school who have attended high school in the Olathe, Gardner, and Spring Hill areas.

Morning Grange #227 members will be exempt from residency requirements. A Grange member is defined as a member of good standing or related to a member in good standing by no more than two generations – grandparent, parent or grandchild.