The Community Foundation of the Ozarks has opened its first grant rounds for 2026-27, with several programs available to eligible nonprofit, municipal, educational and faith-based organizations across central and southern Missouri, including Howell and surrounding counties.
More grant programs are expected to open throughout the year.
The CFO’s annual competitive grant programs are supported by a $5.1 million grantmaking budget. The programs are made possible by donors who make unrestricted gifts or gifts focused on general areas such as youth, health or education. The CFO also administers grant programs on behalf of funders including the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation and U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management, the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation and Commerce Trust, and the L-A-D Foundation.
Programs now open include Welcoming Communities, with $135,000 available for projects that improve the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented residents. Applications close Sept. 17.
The Inclusion & Belonging program has $90,000 available for smaller grant requests that create equitable participation and engagement in local communities. Applications will be reviewed and awarded through May 6, 2027, or until funds are fully spent.
Rapid Response has $100,000 available for nonprofits that lose government funding, are affected by disaster or need time-sensitive funding for innovation or collaboration. Applications of up to $3,000 will be reviewed and awarded through June 1, 2027, or until funds are fully spent.
The L-A-D Foundation program has $55,000 available for projects that conserve the natural and cultural resources of the Ozarks in the foundation’s 12-county service area. Applications close Aug. 27.
Additional grant programs are expected to open later this year. Everyone Outdoors, which supports projects connecting community members with nature and outdoor recreation, is scheduled to open Oct. 1. Coover Regional, a program supporting transformative projects in rural communities in partnership with the Coover Charitable Foundation, is scheduled to open Nov. 5.
Other programs expected to open later include Coover Regional/Rural Schools Partnership, Musgrave Multi-Year Impact, Arts & Culture and various field-of-interest programs.
In addition, the CFO’s regional affiliate foundations provide grant programs throughout the year for their communities across central and southern Missouri.
Agencies may begin the application process at cfozarks.org/applyforgrants. More information about grant programs is available at cfozarks.org/find-grants.
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is a public charitable foundation serving donors, nonprofit partners and 55 regional affiliates. It had $632 million in assets under management as of June 30.
