Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Missouri

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 Community Facilities Grant Program in Missouri offers vital funding to enhance essential community facilities in rural areas. Eligible projects include health care centers, public safety services, and educational institutions, targeting communities with populations under 20,000. With grants covering up to 75% of project costs based on income criteria, this program aims to foster community development and support local needs. Applications are accepted year-round, ensuring continuous assistance for rural projects.

The Lozier Foundation

Formed in 1986, The Lozier Foundation is a family foundation funded by Allan and Dianne Lozier. The foundation’s focus is education, social services and issues involving women and children with an emphasis on the inner city and underrepresented populations.

Our Mission: The Lozier Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for the underrepresented communities in the Omaha/Metro area.

Grants

Funding Priorities

• Education
• Women & Girls
• North Omaha Initiatives
• Human Services

Grantseekers wishing to apply to the Lozier Foundation should begin by reviewing the Mission, Values, Funding Priorities and Funding Eligibility Statements.

The Lozier Foundation grant applications include: Capital Application; Education Application; General Application; and Program Application.

Organizations may receive general operating, program, and capital grants. While The Lozier Foundation prefers to provide ongoing general operating support, organizations can receive a program and/or capital grant in the same calendar year.

Lozier Foundation Education Application

The Education Application follows the foundation guidelines provided here.

The Robert Wheeler WHS Scholarship, provided by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards $1,000 to a graduating senior from Windsor High School. This scholarship is renewable for up to three years, contingent upon enrollment in 12 credit hours. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and submit the FAFSA-SAI form, along with an essay detailing their community service and school activities. The scholarship aims to support students pursuing higher education at accredited institutions.

The Logan Middleton Sportsmanship Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards two $2,000 scholarships to male graduating high school seniors who have participated in the Blue & Gold Basketball Tournament. Eligible candidates must demonstrate commitment through at least two years of basketball involvement, showcase community service, and submit an essay on sportsmanship. This scholarship aims to support students in their pursuit of higher education while promoting values of sportsmanship and community engagement.

This funding opportunity invites innovative pilot studies focused on biological, behavioral, and social mechanisms related to HIV pathogenesis, aligning with NIDDK's mission and NIH HIV/AIDS research priorities. Topics may include exploring pathophysiological mechanisms of HIV comorbidities and coinfections, understanding HIV reservoirs in relevant tissues, and examining social determinants affecting health outcomes. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

The NIDCD is offering funding to advance HIV/AIDS research, particularly focusing on areas related to communication disorders. This initiative supports low-risk clinical trials and encourages researchers to align their proposals with high priority topics identified by the NIH Office of AIDS Research. Applications must be submitted by the local deadline, with optional Letters of Intent due 30 days prior to the proposal deadline. This opportunity aims to enhance understanding and treatment in this crucial health area.

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 Wally and Libby Walter Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers a $1,500 scholarship for graduating African American seniors from Springfield High School. This renewable scholarship is available for up to three years, contingent upon maintaining a 3.0 GPA and enrollment in at least 12 credit hours. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and engage in community service, alongside submitting an essay that outlines their activities.

The Thomas G. Tucker Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards a $450 scholarship to a graduating high school senior from the local area. Applicants must demonstrate community service involvement and participation in school activities, alongside submitting an essay. This scholarship aims to support students pursuing higher education at accredited institutions, reinforcing the Foundation's commitment to fostering educational opportunities in the community.

The Springfield Bar Past Presidents Scholarship in Honor of Crista Hogan, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers a $500 scholarship to a postgraduate law student in Missouri. Applicants must demonstrate financial need by submitting the FAFSA-SAI form and provide a letter of good standing. This scholarship aims to support students in achieving their educational goals and fostering future legal professionals in the community.

The Springfield Area Retired Teachers Association Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers a $2,500 scholarship to undergraduate students entering their third or fourth year at Drury University, Evangel University, or Missouri State University. Applicants must demonstrate financial need through FAFSA-SAI, describe their community service involvement, and submit an essay. This scholarship aims to support future educators committed to making a positive impact in their communities.

The Richard E. Dorr Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, offers a $4,000 award to postgraduate law students who graduated from a Missouri High School. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need, submit a FAFSA-SAI, and provide a letter of good standing. Applicants are required to describe their community service involvement and work experience, along with submitting an essay and a letter of recommendation. This scholarship aims to support deserving students in their educational pursuits.

The Ruth Olesen Kelley Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards a $2,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student from Springfield. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, submit a FAFSA-SAI, and write an essay. Eligible candidates are female students majoring in Women's History with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This scholarship aims to support educational aspirations and foster academic excellence in the community.

The Royce Fugate OMC Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards $1,200 to a deserving Certified Nursing Assistant employed at Ozarks Health Care in West Plains, MO. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and submit a FAFSA-SAI form. This scholarship supports individuals entering an LPN program at an accredited college or university, contributing to their educational goals and professional development in the healthcare field.

About

The Costume Society of America (CSA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on March 23, 1973, and incorporated in the state of New York on September 12, 1973. CSA serves it members, and promotes its goals with national symposia and publications including the journal Dress and its monthly electronic newsletter CSA e-News.

The organization began forming regional groups in 1978. There are six regional groups in the United States and Canada, and one international group. Individual regions hold annual meetings, sponsor programs and publish newsletters.

Our Mission

The Costume Society of America fosters an understanding of appearance and dress practices of people across the globe through research, education, preservation, and design. Our network of members studies the past, examines the present, and anticipates the future of clothing and fashion.

Midwest Region Student Travel Award

Each year, CSA travel funding in an amount up to $750 is available for a Midwest Region Student Member to present at the National Symposium of The Costume Society of America. Awards may be distributed among multiple student members.

The Ronda Seaton, DVM Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards a $400 scholarship to a postgraduate student entering their second year at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia. Applicants must demonstrate financial need by submitting a FAFSA-SAI and provide a letter of good standing. An essay is also required. This scholarship aims to support students pursuing veterinary education and enhance their academic journey.

The Romines Family Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards five $5,000 scholarships annually to graduating high school seniors from specific schools or homeschooled graduates. It emphasizes financial need and requires applicants to be enrolled in a two-year or vocational program. Preference is given to students from Mountain Grove, supporting local educational aspirations and fostering community growth.

The Robert C. Boehner Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, awards one $1,000 scholarship to undergraduate students entering their final year at accredited institutions. Eligible candidates must major in areas like Construction Architecture or Engineering, reside in specific counties within SWMO, and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Applicants must submit an essay, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation to demonstrate their community service involvement.

The Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative Grants aim to support communities by leveraging infrastructure funds to create equitable projects that benefit underserved areas. This pilot program will provide funding for local workers through career training and inclusive economic practices. With grants ranging from $45,000 to $120,000, the initiative focuses on enhancing human infrastructure, fostering collaboration among key partners, and ensuring that frontline communities directly benefit from project implementations.

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 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 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 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.

The Standard's Corporate Giving Program emphasizes community support and employee engagement, reflecting its foundational mission to enhance financial well-being. Established in 1906, the program focuses on Healthy Communities, Disability and Empowerment, Cultural Development, and Education. With a funding range of $500 to $25,000, it aims to make a substantial impact in the lives of individuals and families facing challenges. The Standard Charitable Foundation, launched in 2006, further extends this commitment by supporting organizations that align with its philanthropic goals.

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.