Best School Health Grants in Missouri

Nonprofit organizations providing education, basic needs, health care, or community safety services in Missouri communities served by BOK Financial can apply for charitable contributions. BOKF Foundation provides Missouri school and youth-focused health and education programs with support under its pillars of basic needs, education, economic development, and United Way–aligned initiatives.

With a mission to support Lutheran ministries and education, Rupert Dunklau Foundation provides Missouri school health and human care organizations with funding for Lutheran higher education, health and human care, and faith-strengthening programs. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) entities in Missouri and other contiguous states, including specified Lutheran universities and seminaries and ministries within 50 miles of Fremont, Nebraska.

Missouri school and youth-serving nonprofits and government entities supporting children’s mental health and well-being in Jackson County can access core funding for counseling, crisis services, prevention, and related supports. Jackson County Community Childrens Service Fund offers calendar-year and academic-year cycles, with awards up to US $750,000 to strengthen children’s social-emotional health and family stability.

Child care providers planning to open new, licensed programs in Missouri can seek funding to start up child care services and meet CCDF requirements. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education supports child care and school health in Missouri by funding start-up costs, staff training, minor facility improvements for licensing, employee retention incentives, and help with regulatory requirements.

Missouri school and youth-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on health, wellness, or related education programs can access funding through Penn National Gaming to support local residents. Grants may support school health initiatives within broader community development, education, human services, cultural affairs and diversity, health, or veteran and military support in eligible Missouri counties such as Camden, Platte, and St. Louis.

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, school districts, and government entities in Missouri communities within the Patterson Family Foundation’s rural catchment can apply for Innovation in Healthcare funding to improve healthcare access and outcomes. Projects testing new models to expand maternal care and other innovative rural health solutions may benefit school-based and community health initiatives.

School districts, government entities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in rural Missouri and Kansas can seek funding to expand access to specialty medical services such as maternal care, oncology, dental, and mental/behavioral health. With a mission to help rural communities thrive, Patterson Family Foundation supports projects that bring specialty care closer to underserved residents.

The Patterson Family Foundation offers Chronic Disease Prevention, Screening, and Education Grants aimed at community initiatives that enhance health management. This funding supports programs that increase awareness of chronic conditions, promote healthy behaviors, and provide access to screening and education in rural areas. Projects must demonstrate community impact and readiness for implementation, focusing on early detection and long-term health improvement for residents in Kansas and western Missouri.

Patterson Family FoundationThe Patterson Family Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a family-led foundation that extends the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. The Foundation’s mission, “Working together to help rural communities thrive,” is carried forward through strategic grantmaking and other collaborative initiatives that serve rural counties across Kansas and western Missouri. At the Patterson Family Foundation, we believe that thriving rural communities aren’t just about the numbers—they’re about the people who choose to live there. A strong and engaged community is built on essentials like access to good jobs, quality healthcare, educational opportunities, and a sense of belonging. But keeping rural communities strong doesn’t happen on its own—it takes all of us working together. That’s why we focus on working with local leaders, businesses, and organizations to invest in the areas that matter most, ensuring that rural places don’t just get by but thrive for generations to come.Maternal Health GrantsThis opportunity expands maternal and child health services in rural communities by increasing access before, during, and after pregnancy. Projects should strengthen the maternal health workforce, improve care availability, and support families through enhanced training, equipment, and service options. Applicants should plan to report on services expanded, residents served, workforce growth, and improvements in access to maternal and child health care. Eligible use of funds include:  

• Expanding the maternal-child health workforce
• Training and education on specialized equipment
• Creating opportunities for maternal health professionals to practice in rural settings
• Equipment  

Rooted in rural.

Committed to your community

The Patterson Family Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a family-led foundation that extends the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. The Foundation’s mission, “Working together to help rural communities thrive,” is carried forward through strategic grantmaking and other collaborative initiatives that serve rural counties across Kansas and western Missouri. 

Our Mission

Working together to help rural communities thrive.

Grant Types

Open Call Grants

Patterson Family Foundation’s Open Call Grants are publicly announced and submitted through the Grants Portal. Applications are reviewed using criteria aligned with the Foundation’s priorities, including community impact, feasibility, sustainability, and readiness to implement the proposed work in the Kansas or western Missouri rural community. 

This opportunity increases access to mental health support by expanding services, strengthening local care networks, and promoting prevention, harm reduction, and behavioral health education. Projects should create supportive environments that reduce stigma, increase awareness, and help residents access appropriate care. Applicants should plan to report on services delivered, residents served, improvements in access or awareness, and partnerships that enhance local mental health support.

Dental hygiene students in Missouri seeking leadership-focused support for their education can apply for this scholarship, which provides US $1,000 for those pursuing an associate degree in dental hygiene. American Dental Hygienists’ Association awards students who are ADHA members, active leaders in their Student ADHA Chapter, and volunteers in their communities.

Missouri school districts, eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and qualifying schools can receive Bayer Fund’s support for health and wellness programs focused on cancer and cardiovascular disease education, awareness, and support services. Grants can fund evidence-based school or community programs, including disease education and access-to-care supports, within 55 miles of Bayer sites in Kansas City, Matthews, or St. Louis.

Missouri child care providers seeking to expand licensed programs can access funding through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to increase child care availability. Grants support business expansion costs, staff training, licensing-related facility improvements, employee retention incentives, and regulatory assistance. School-based child care programs that are CCDF-eligible may benefit when growing services for families.

Graduating high school seniors in Missouri’s 18-county Community Foundation region pursuing degrees in agriculture, business, health care, or vocational/technical training can receive academic scholarships to support higher education costs. Grants from Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri help students with financial need who may be preparing for school health–related or other career pathways.

Missouri school-based and youth-serving 501(c)(3) public charities addressing children’s mental health and social-emotional development can access funding through Cigna Foundation. Grants of US $100,000 - US $150,000 support evidence-informed programs in schools and related settings that build social-emotional skills, equip parents and educators, and expand pathways to youth mental health care in underserved communities.

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.

Undergraduate students in Missouri studying health science or social science can receive up to US $2,800 to support their third or fourth year of college. Community Foundation of the Ozarks provides Missouri school health and social science students with scholarship funding, with preference for graduates of select local high schools who demonstrate community service.

Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students in Missouri planning careers serving autistic individuals through education or health services can receive up to US $700 for college or vocational training. With a mission to support regional education, Community Foundation of the Ozarks gives preference to applicants from the Truman Lake area who demonstrate financial need and strong involvement.

Missouri schools and community partners running after-school and summer learning programs can apply for $50,000 - $400,000 to provide comprehensive academic enrichment and youth development services. Focused on extended learning time, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education supports centers offering tutoring, STEM, arts, wellness, and family engagement that complement the regular school day for Missouri students.

The Carter Creech Scholarship offers financial support up to $8,000 for graduating seniors of Troy Buchanan High School in Missouri who aim to pursue a four-year degree. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA, achieve an ACT score of 27 or higher, and rank in the top 10% of their class. This scholarship encourages academic excellence and allows recipients to reapply annually for up to $32,000 over four years, fostering educational opportunities in the community.

The BJC Scholars Fund Scholarship, backed by BJC HealthCare, aims to support high school seniors from specific Missouri and Illinois counties pursuing higher education. Eligible students can receive up to $12,000 per academic year, renewable for up to ten semesters. This initiative addresses community needs highlighted by the Ferguson Commission, promoting educational opportunities for youth in the regions served by BJC hospitals, which are known for their commitment to healthcare excellence.

Early-career assistant professors running independent biomedical research labs at nominated Missouri institutions can receive US $75,000 - US $300,000 to advance innovative work in human health. With a mission to support pioneering biomedical science, Pew Charitable Trusts provides flexible four-year funding for personnel, equipment, supplies, and research-related travel, plus participation in annual scholar meetings.

The Delta Dental of Missouri Grant Program aims to improve oral health in Missouri by funding initiatives that reduce oral disease, enhance access to quality dental care, and raise awareness, particularly among underserved populations. Grants range from over $5,000 to $100,000 and are awarded for one year, focusing on projects that increase access to care and demonstrate matching funds from other sources.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and other IRS-approved entities serving the Springfield, Missouri area can seek funding for education, youth development, and mental health stability projects. With a mission to enhance regional quality of life, Community Foundation of the Ozarks provides US $55,000 to support childcare, early learning, literacy, housing assistance, and mental health services, which may include school-based health initiatives.

Nonprofit organizations providing education, health, or human services for underserved children, older adults, and other vulnerable people in southwest Missouri can apply for support; most grants are one year. With a mission to strengthen quality educational, health, and human services, the Christine and Katharina Pauly Charitable Trust supports programs in Springfield and nearby counties that may include school-based health initiatives.

Public bodies, community-based nonprofits, and Federally Recognized Tribes in rural Missouri can use this program to build, purchase, or improve essential community facilities and equipment. Grants from USDA: Rural Development help smaller, lower-income communities enhance health, education, public safety, and community support services, which may include school-based health and wellness facilities or equipment.

Public school districts and other local education agencies in Missouri can apply for School Age Community grants to support high-quality afterschool and out-of-school-time programs for students ages 5–12. Focused on school health and student success, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers US $80,000 - US $100,000 for academic enrichment, wellness, youth development, and related services.