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 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 Inserra Scholarships, provided by the UNICO Foundation, aim to support students of Italian descent pursuing higher education. Two scholarships of $2,500 each are awarded annually to eligible candidates who are U.S. citizens attending accredited colleges or universities full-time. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and continue their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year. This initiative reflects UNICO's commitment to empowering the Italian American community through education.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Veterinary Studies, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two scholarships of $2,500 each for students pursuing veterinary studies at accredited U.S. colleges. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This opportunity supports diverse applicants and emphasizes community service, reflecting UNICO's commitment to Italian American heritage and educational advancement.

The Ralph J. Torraco Fine Arts Scholarship, offered by the UNICO Foundation, awards two $2,500 scholarships to U.S. students studying Fine Arts, including Performing, Visual, or Technical Arts. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0, enrolled full-time in an accredited college, and planning to continue their studies into the 2025-2026 academic year. This scholarship aims to support and promote Italian American culture and heritage through the arts.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Therapy Sciences, provided by the UNICO Foundation, awards two scholarships valued at $2,500 each to full-time students pursuing degrees in Therapy Sciences, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and continue their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year. This scholarship promotes educational advancement within the community.

Missouri Prairie Foundation

The Missouri Prairie Foundation is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) land trust governed by a volunteer board of directors. MPF was founded in 1966 by a small group of conservation professionals and volunteers who were concerned about the rapid decline of greater prairie-chickens and the degradation and loss of grassland habitat throughout the state of Missouri. Since that time, MPF has grown and developed with several goals in mind, including the permanent protection of prairie habitat and the need for greater understanding of the role of native grasslands in wildlife conservation, energy security and carbon storage. 

The mission of MPF is to protect and restore prairie and other native grassland communities through land acquisition, management, education, and research; to promote the use of native plants through its Grow Native! program; and to support the control of invasive plants through its administration of the Missouri Invasive Plant Council. 

Prairie Garden Grants Program 

Gardening and other conservation groups, parks, schools, and other entities in Missouri and immediately surrounding states are invited to submit proposals to MPF’s Prairie Garden Grants Program. In 2026, MPF would like to award several grants to help fund the establishment or improvement of public prairie gardens or plantings using Midwest native plants. Grants will not exceed $800 each. Those with smaller projects are encouraged to apply as well. Matching funds are not required, but proposals with secured matching funds may be evaluated higher than others.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Special Education, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two scholarships of $2,500 each for U.S. students pursuing degrees in Special Education. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to continue their studies into the 2026-2027 academic year. This scholarship supports students with various disabilities, ensuring that education is accessible and equitable for all.

The Robert J. Tarte Scholarship for Italian Studies, offered by the UNICO Foundation, supports students of Italian descent pursuing a major or minor in Italian Studies or Language. Valued at $1,000, this scholarship is awarded to full-time undergraduate students attending accredited institutions in the U.S. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and continue their studies through the 2026-2027 academic year, with preference given to those demonstrating financial need.

The Guglielmo Marconi Engineering Scholarship, offered by UNICO Foundation, provides $1,250 to students of Italian descent pursuing engineering degrees in various disciplines. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time in accredited programs, and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. This scholarship not only supports academic achievement but also promotes the heritage and contributions of the Italian American community, continuing UNICO's legacy of service and support.

The Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship, awarded by Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, supports first and second-year medical students conducting research over 2 to 12 months. With a total funding of $7,000, students can receive reimbursement for travel expenses up to $1,000 for presenting their findings at national conferences. Eligibility requires enrollment in schools with active AΩA chapters, while those taking a year off for research or holding a PhD are ineligible.

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.

The Virginia H. Glasson Charitable Trust Grant supports Christian charitable organizations and preferred beneficiaries. It funds projects in areas such as education, scientific research, religious activities, and arts and culture. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code, located in states such as California, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, and Washington D.C. However, individuals cannot apply for funding.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

PLTW Engineering - New Program In Partnership With Ardagh Group

Ardagh Group has partnered with PLTW to support education in its local communities where Ardagh employees live and work. This partnership recognizes the critical role education, and access to education, plays in ensuring equal opportunities and in building successful, vibrant communities. It is expected that over the next 10 years, Ardagh sponsored education programs will benefit more than 500,000 PreK-12 students as well as delivering best-in-class teacher training to more than 5,000 teachers across 2,000 schools in Ardagh's U.S. communities.

Ardagh is a global supplier of sustainable packaging solutions with 16,000+ employees worldwide, and proud local employer.

Program Requirements

The purpose of this grant is to assist the grantee's implementation of the PLTW Engineering program. Grantee must offer the PLTW Engineering program for three academic years. Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2027-2028 academic year and must offer one additional course in the 2028-2029 academic year (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete three years of grant reporting.

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.

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.

The East Missouri Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations focused on providing essential services such as housing, healthcare, food, and transportation for vulnerable populations including seniors, persons with disabilities, and the homeless. The foundation issues one-time grants for specific purposes and does not fund individuals or organizations outside its defined priorities. Grants are determined by a board of directors committed to enhancing community welfare through targeted charitable initiatives.

The Royalty Fields Grant Program, presented by the Kansas City Royals Foundation, supports the enhancement of youth baseball and softball facilities across the Midwest. This initiative offers matching grants for major renovations, including essential upgrades such as new sod, infields, fencing, and dugouts. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations or local government entities that can demonstrate secured funding. Grants aim to foster safe and improved playing conditions for youth athletes.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant opportunity for schools across the US to implement the PLTW Gateway program for the first time. With total funding of $9,100, the grant covers participation fees and training registration costs. Schools, including public, private, and charter, are encouraged to apply, particularly those serving low-income and minority majority populations. This initiative aims to enhance educational pathways in STEM for diverse student groups.

Mark's Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers a $2,000 scholarship aimed at high school seniors from specific local schools. This renewable scholarship supports students maintaining a 2.5 GPA while enrolled in an accredited institution. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need and submit necessary documents, including an essay and a letter of recommendation, to pursue their higher education goals.

The Martin Youngblood Linesman Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, provides $2,000 to a graduating high school senior from specified counties. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and submit a transcript along with an essay. This scholarship aims to support students pursuing education in line worker programs, contributing to the development of skilled professionals in the electrical utility field.

The Windgate Charitable Trust Grant supports contemporary craft and visual arts in the U.S. It offers funding for fellowships, residencies, educational outreach, and materials for craft programs. The foundation prioritizes strengthening visual arts in colleges and expanding K-12 art-integrated programs, providing opportunities for artists and educators to enhance their skills and foster creativity among students. Organizations with previous funding from Windgate can apply through the grantee portal.

The Mathew W. Placzek Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers a $5,000 scholarship for postgraduate law students pursuing a Juris Doctorate. Eligible applicants must be in their second or third year and have graduated from specific high schools or universities in Missouri. Required materials include a transcript, an essay, and a letter of good standing. This scholarship aims to support students in their educational and professional aspirations.

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.

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.

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.