Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Missouri

The James Paul Sutton Medical Research Fund Grant supports non-profit organizations engaged in cancer and medical research, established through a trust by the Sutton family. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt. Preference is given to cancer research initiatives, while grants are not available for individuals, political groups, or for-profit entities. This fund aims to sustain medical research efforts for the long term, continuing the legacy of the Sutton family.

The Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF) offers a Cultural Awareness Grant aimed at revitalizing the cultural and spiritual values related to Indian land. This initiative supports American Indian nations in enhancing their ties to the land, which is vital for traditional practices and beliefs. Eligible entities include tribal governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Ineligible activities encompass advocacy efforts, land purchases, and direct funding to individuals, ensuring resources focus on community-centered cultural preservation.

Community Foundation of Randolph County

Our mission is to bring people and resources together to strengthen the quality of life, both now and in the future, for the residents of Randolph County.

The Community Foundation’s work falls into three major categories: grant-making, donor service, and community convening. Our most visible activities are the grants and scholarships we award each year. Most of these awards come from income earned from permanently endowed funds. Scholarships and other grants come from funds that donors have established for specific purposes.

East Central Ag Crop Insurance Agency Scholarship Fund

Wanting to give back to the community of Randolph County, the owners of East Central Ag Crop Insurance Agency felt there was a need to create a scholarship solely for those students who are pursuing higher education in agriculture, whose ultimate goal is an agricultural-based career. It is awarded to a Randolph County senior pursuing education in the field of agriculture with a G.P.A. of 2.7 or higher.

The Beckman Scholars Program offers a 15-month mentored research experience for outstanding undergraduate students in chemistry and biological sciences. Each participating institution can submit one application, with awards totaling $21,000 per student and $5,000 per mentor. The program emphasizes justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds. For more details, refer to the FAQs on the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation's website.

The Ono Initiative Grant by the Ono Pharma Foundation supports innovative research in Chemical Biology, aiming to transform human health. It welcomes proposals from Principal Investigators (PIs) at nominated institutions, focusing on groundbreaking solutions and promoting the development of young scientists. Grants of up to $1,035,000 over three years are available, fostering collaboration and transformative research aligned with the foundation's mission.

The Skatepark Project Grants aim to support underserved communities in building public, free, concrete skateparks for youth. Eligible applicants include public charities and local agencies committed to designing inclusive spaces. The projects must engage local skaters in planning and fundraising, promote safety, and be open year-round without entry fees. The initiative fosters community involvement and addresses social inequalities, ensuring that all types of skatepark users can benefit from these vital recreational resources.

The BJS FY 2026 Criminal History Record Assessment and Research Program (CHRARP) aims to enhance the Bureau of Justice Statistics' ability to analyze recidivism and criminal history data. This program will support the standardization of criminal records across jurisdictions, enabling accurate statistical analyses. By refining existing data coding systems and addressing data quality issues, the CHRARP will improve research on offenders' patterns and careers, ultimately contributing to effective criminal justice policies.

Steve Wagner Scholarship

Steve Wagner retired as executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/M) in 2003 after 34 years of service. As a member of the Capitol Club and Michigan Society of Association Executives, Steve was well respected by his peers and colleagues and is known for his honesty and integrity.

Steve and his wife, Lana, were married in 1965 and have two daughters, Shelley and Whitney. Throughout his career, Steve has been a proponent of community service and has given many hours himself to church and community programs. Steve also has been a strong proponent of education. ACEC/M has established this scholarship in honor of Steve Wagner to award engineering and surveying students who, like Steve, are active in the community and find it important and necessary to give something back.

The AHRQ Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) aims to foster a diverse pool of skilled health services researchers. This funding opportunity supports career development for individuals pursuing research that aligns with AHRQ's mission and priorities. Eligible applicants will receive mentorship to enhance their research skills and contributions to the field. Overall, this initiative is crucial for addressing pressing healthcare research needs.

The Early Stage Innovations (ESI26) program by NASA invites U.S. institutions of higher education to propose innovative, early-stage space technology research. Focused on technologies with low Technology Readiness Levels, the program emphasizes civil-space applications. Proposals should address specific topics, including advancements in hypersonic flows, autonomous technologies for lunar and Martian environments, and new materials for aerospace applications. Collaboration is encouraged among eligible institutions, with support from NASA's Space Technology Research Grants Program.

NASA is seeking innovative proposals for Early Stage Innovations in In Situ Resource Utilization, specifically focusing on Lunar Water Purification. This initiative invites U.S. institutions of higher education to submit projects that address critical civil-space needs. Awards, anticipated to begin in June 2027, will support groundbreaking research in space technology. Collaboration among faculty is encouraged, and proposals must be submitted through the NSPIRES system.

The ACLS Graduate Internships on the Spiritual Infrastructure of the Future program offers summer opportunities for current PhD students in the humanities and social sciences to engage with organizations addressing the evolving American religious landscape. This initiative aims to cultivate future leaders by providing practical experiences that demonstrate the value of doctoral training beyond academia. Supported by the Templeton Religion Trust, the internships encourage collaboration between fellows and community organizations, fostering a deeper understanding of spiritual infrastructures.

The Nature Awards for Inspiring Women in Science celebrate outstanding contributions by women in STEM fields. These awards recognize early-career female researchers who demonstrate exceptional achievements, face challenges, and inspire the next generation through outreach. Winners receive prizes totaling $50,000, mentorship opportunities, and invitations to prestigious ceremonies. This initiative promotes inclusivity and aims to enhance the representation of women in science, thereby supporting a diverse and equitable scientific community.

The Nature Awards for Inspiring Women in Science, particularly in the Science Outreach category, honors initiatives that empower girls and young women in STEM fields. With a focus on engagement and retention, the awards aim to celebrate projects that encourage participation in natural sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. Winners will receive significant cash prizes and opportunities for mentorship, creating pathways for future generations of women in science.

The Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program seeks to advance secure computing environments for AI-powered Radio Access Networks (RAN). This initiative aims to foster innovative solutions that can enhance operational revenue, provide cost efficiencies, and develop third-party services, thereby demonstrating viable business cases. By supporting the integration of AI capabilities, the program accelerates commercial deployments and promotes the export of secure, interoperable equipment.

The NIH Common Fund is planning to issue a NOFO to continue the Bridge2AI program, which aims to develop AI-ready datasets and best practices for biomedical research. This next stage will leverage these datasets to address significant health challenges and foster multidisciplinary collaboration. The initiative will support 3-5 Centers focused on trustworthy AI in biomedical research, creating frameworks for reproducibility, transparency, and advancing the AI workforce in health sciences.

The Hometown Partners Giving Circle Grant Program aims to strengthen communities in Aurora, Marionville, and Verona by fully funding impactful projects. The program, managed by the Aurora Area Community Foundation, invites nonprofit organizations to submit proposals. Eligible applicants include IRS-approved entities that serve the local area and can attend a check presentation on May 17, 2025. Grant submissions are accepted from March 17 to April 11, 2025, fostering collaboration and community enhancement.

The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science Fellowship empowers women postdoctoral scientists by providing annual grants to support their research in STEM fields. This initiative not only recognizes their contributions but also encourages them to serve as role models for future generations. With a long-standing partnership with the AAAS, the program has awarded over $5 million to 105 scientists, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing women's roles in science and technology.

The NSF Core Research in Biological Sciences (BIO Core) program supports innovative research that enhances our understanding of biological systems, from molecular to biome scales. This funding opportunity encourages interdisciplinary proposals and can fund both single and multi-investigator projects. The awards will vary in scope and duration, accommodating exploratory projects and long-term commitments, depending on available funding and alignment with the program's objectives.

The NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) supports promising scientists in their research endeavors, providing salary and protected time for three to five years. This award is designed for newly independent scientists who can demonstrate the necessity for focused research to advance their careers. The program specifically targets basic experimental studies involving human participants, aligning with NIH's clinical trial definitions and aims to foster significant contributions to various scientific fields.

Who We Are

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in our region.

We pursue our mission through resource development, community grantmaking, collaboration and public leadership — connecting passion to purpose since 1973.

In the early 1970s, a group of estate-planning attorneys learned of a sizeable estate gift that left Springfield because there wasn’t a place here to accept a general gift for community betterment. Those 11 founders, supported by then-Springfield Mayor Jim Payne and businesswoman Anne Drummond, created the region’s first public charitable foundation in 1973.

Today, the CFO is governed by community volunteers and run by a professional staff that serves a network of donors, regional affiliate foundations, nonprofit partners and professional advisors through approximately 3,700 charitable funds.

Finley River Affiliate Grantmaking Program

The Finley River Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life for individuals in Finley River Community Foundation through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership. The Finley River Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, chosen for their knowledge of the area. Grant decisions are made by the grant committee. The unique role of a community foundation is to conduct a flexible community grantmaking program which addresses the most important needs of the community at any one time. The flexibility this requires is made possible by charitable donors who established unrestricted or field-of-interest funds and place the decision-making in the hands of the community leaders serving on our Board of Directors as well as dollars raised by the Finley River Community Foundation.

The NIH R25 program promotes broad participation in the biomedical and behavioral sciences by supporting educational activities. It aims to encourage individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to engage in research through mentoring networks and research education experiences. This initiative seeks to enhance the workforce by providing opportunities for further study and career advancement in research fields, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive scientific community.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is offering funding through the Engineering (ENG) program, focusing on foundational research in civil, mechanical, and manufacturing innovation. Key areas include advanced manufacturing systems, civil infrastructure, and intelligent dynamic systems. The NSF ENG encourages innovative and transformative proposals that may not require immediate commercial outcomes. Award sizes and durations will vary based on budget availability, aiming to support long-term research advancements.

The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) Research Fund Grant supports projects that enhance legal information services and law librarianship. With a funding cap of $5,000 per round, the grant encourages diverse scholarship in legal research. Eligibility includes individuals with relevant research experience, while preference is given to AALL members. Applications are reviewed biannually by a jury, ensuring that the most impactful projects receive support. This initiative aims to foster innovation and collaboration within the legal information community.

The Zuckerman Postdoctoral Scholars Program fosters collaboration between leading scientific institutions in the U.S. and Israel by attracting top postdoctoral researchers. With a focus on STEM leadership, this program offers a unique two-year scholarship, allowing scholars to conduct research at participating Israeli universities and North American institutions. The initiative aims to strengthen academic ties, enhance research capabilities, and support the return of talented Israeli scholars to their home institutions, ultimately enriching the global scientific community.

Marion Community Foundation

Since 1998, area residents have been turning to Marion Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. We are a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern … improving the quality of life in Marion County. We use distributions from the more than 500 charitable funds — created by generous, local donors — to award more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships each year to many of the humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in this remarkable community we call home.

Marion Community Foundation is the area’s leading philanthropic organization, providing charitable donors the opportunity to easily create endowment funds to benefit and support our community through grants and scholarships. We serve communities throughout Marion County through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement.

Calvin H. & Elizabeth L. Topliff Scholarship

Georgia Mathews, mother to Marion Community Foundation board member, Spencer Mathews, created this endowed scholarship in 2023 in honor of her parents. The scholarship will be awarded to Marion County students who are pursuing a career in either education or engineering, with special consideration for students who will be attending Ohio Northern University, which is where Georgia’s parents met.

Betty Beatty Topliff was born in Pittsburgh but ended up in Marion after meeting Calvin at Ohio Northern and moving to his hometown of Marion. Betty (1928-2022) was a dedicated teacher for 30 years, most recently at Ridgedale High School. Calvin (1924-2009) was an Army veteran who served in Europe during WWII and was awarded the Bronze Star. Calvin retired from the marketing department of Ohio Edison Marion Division after 36 years of service.

Following retirement, Calvin and Betty were Florida snowbirds, but Betty returned to Marion after Calvin’s death to be with her beloved children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

The Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, aims to enhance diversity in the academic research community. It provides funding of $250,000 and a $20,000 annual expense allowance for early-career researchers committed to fostering an inclusive scientific culture. Eligible applicants must hold a PhD or MD, commit to at least 75% research effort, and have no more than 24 months of postdoctoral experience. This initiative empowers fellows to become leaders in science.