Ozark Foothills Regional Community Foundation

05/28/2026

🌲🐟 Explore the Ozarks Fund – Grant Opportunity for Schools & Youth Programs 🚌📚

The Explore the Ozarks Fund supports hands-on conservation education experiences for K-12 students throughout the Ozarks!

This opportunity helps schools and organizations provide meaningful outdoor learning experiences that connect students with nature, conservation, wildlife, and environmental education.

Eligible grant uses may include:
✔ Transportation costs for field trips
✔ Field trip admission for students and teachers
✔ Conservation programming and curriculum
✔ Educational materials and training

Important details:
• Grants require a 1:1 cash match
• In-kind support does not count toward the required match
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
• Apply at least 30 days before your planned trip or learning experience

Funding decisions are typically made within two weeks of submitting a complete application.

This is a wonderful opportunity for:
🌿 Schools
🌿 Youth organizations
🌿 Outdoor education programs
🌿 Conservation and environmental education initiatives

Apply here:
https://cfo.formstack.com/forms/exploretheozarks

Please share with educators, schools, and youth organizations across our region!

05/28/2026

The Springfield Cardinals Fly Together Fund is offering matching grants for schools, churches and faith-based nonprofits to help bring groups to select 2026 Worship Wednesday games with the Springfield Cardinals.

Eligible organizations may receive:
• Full Grant = 50% of ticket costs covered
• Partial Grant = 25% of ticket costs covered

Worship Wednesday events include:
🎶 Pre-game worship music
🙏 A short faith message
⚾ Springfield Cardinals baseball
🤝 Fellowship and community connection

Eligible applicants:
✔ Churches
✔ Faith-based nonprofits
✔ Organizations with 501(c)(3) status
✔ Schools

2026 Worship Wednesday Dates:
• June 24
• July 1
• July 29
• August 26
• September 9

Applications are reviewed upon receipt and organizations are typically notified within 14 days.

For questions:
Angela Deke – [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Apply here:
https://www.cfozarks.org/grants-scholarships/grants/cardinals-fly-together-fund/

Please share with eligible schools, churches and faith-based organizations throughout our region!

05/27/2026

🎨 Calling all local artists! Applications are now open for the Ripley Butler Clay Fund for the Arts Grant through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks

Artists age 18+ residing in Ripley or Butler County, Missouri, or Clay County, Arkansas may apply for one-time grants up to $1,250 to support and encourage exceptional artistic work in two-dimensional or three-dimensional mediums.

🖌 Eligible mediums include:
Painting • Drawing • Photography • Mixed Media • Sculpture • Printmaking • Pastel & more

📅 Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

📧 Applications accepted by email only:
[email protected]

📞 Questions?
Ashley Fleming — (417) 864-6199

Invest in creativity. Invest in our communities. ✨

05/15/2026

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFITS, GROUPS & LOCAL LEADERS — this may be a great opportunity to bring people together while doing something meaningful for our communities.

The America 250 Missouri Mini-Grant Program will provide mini-grants of up to $3,000 for volunteer and community service projects taking place around:
• 9/11 Day of Service (Sept. 11, 2026)
and/or
• Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 4, 2026)

Eligible projects can include:
• Community events
• Volunteer service projects
• Cleanup efforts
• Food or supply drives
• First responder or veteran appreciation events
• Youth service activities
• Neighbor helping neighbor initiatives
• Community outreach and engagement projects

Applications open June 1, 2026 and are due June 19, 2026.

This is a reimbursement-based grant, so organizations would need to pay expenses upfront and then request reimbursement afterward.

I’ve attached some information because I think this could be a really good opportunity for local nonprofits, civic groups, community organizations, foundations, and volunteer groups throughout our region.

More information:
https://serv.mo.gov/

Missouri Good Neighbor Week:
https://missourigoodneighborweek.com/

04/20/2026

🌾 Investing in the Next Generation of Agriculture 🌾

Apply for funding through the Missouri Beef Days Grant Program to bring hands-on agricultural education opportunities to our local students.

This project will focus on:
Increasing student exposure to agriculture and the beef industry
Providing real-world learning experiences
Connecting youth to careers in farming, food systems, and rural sustainability

Why it matters:
Agriculture is the backbone of our region — and investing in education today ensures a stronger, more resilient tomorrow.

Who it impacts:
Local students, families, and the broader community through education, awareness, and opportunity.

Established in 2022, Missouri Beef Days has provided beef to local schools, raised over $100,000 in scholarship funding, and made community improvements in Polk County.

Stay tuned for updates! These applications are available at https://www.cfozarks.org/find-grants and you still have time!!! You can complete this before the 23rd!



501(c)3 public charities or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts and churches) are eligible to apply.

03/31/2026

Funding opportunities currently available for organizations serving the Ozark Foothills region. https://www.grantinterface.com/Opportunity/Catalog?urlkey=cfozarksgrants

03/18/2026

Big opportunities are open right now for our communities!

If your organization is working to support youth, strengthen community connections, fill urgent funding gaps, or expand educational opportunities — these grants are worth a look.

Open to organizations across the CFO service area
Rolling deadlines (don’t wait — funds can run out!)
$1500-$5,000 available depending on the program

Take a few minutes to see what fits your project — this could be the support you’ve been needing.

https://www.grantinterface.com/Opportunity/Catalog?urlkey=cfozarksgrants

03/18/2026

Missouri Beef Days Grant – Spring 2026
Deadline: April 16, 2026
Amount: Up to $1,500
Eligibility Area: Entire CFO service area
Use For: Agricultural education youth/school programming

https://www.grantinterface.com/Opportunity/Catalog?urlkey=cfozarksgrants

02/26/2026

There is something powerful about watching philanthropy move from idea to impact.

In February alone, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and its affiliates granted more than $516,000 across central and southern Missouri. That’s not just a number — that’s outdoor experiences for children in foster care, accessible play spaces for students, senior services, food security initiatives, rapid response support for nonprofits navigating funding gaps, and inclusion grants helping schools and communities create belonging.

Nearly $330,000 of that was awarded just through February programs like Jewell Schweitzer Quality of Life, Inclusion & Belonging, Rapid Response and Everyone Outdoors.

From an affiliate perspective, this is why the work matters.

Regional philanthropy gives communities like ours a seat at the table. It allows local donors to invest locally, while still being part of a larger network that can leverage resources, expertise, and innovation across 27 counties.

Some of these grants support long-standing, well-run programs. Others help launch brand-new ideas that may not yet fit traditional funding models — and that flexibility is where real change often begins.

It’s meaningful to be part of a system that believes in local leadership and local solutions.

If you’re curious about the programs or projects funded this month, you can learn more at Community Foundation of the Ozarks and https://www.cfozarks.org/

https://www.cfozarks.org/affiliates/ozark-foothills

Our Mission Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in the five-county Ozark Foothills region through resource development, community grantmaking, collaboration and public leadership. Ozark Foothills Regional Community Foundation is the charitable partner of the Ozark Foothills Regional Planni...

02/24/2026

2026–2027 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Scholarships are now available for the upcoming academic year!

🔎 Use the “Find” feature to search by:
• Your high school
• Your city or county
• The college or technical school you plan to attend
• Your major or career path
• Activities or interests (music, sports, art, etc.)

📌 Even if one detail looks like a match, there may be additional requirements.
Complete the Universal Application to be considered for every scholarship you qualify for.

🗓 Deadline: March 16

📞 Questions? Call 417-864-6199