Nonprofit organizations may apply for grant support from the Community Granting Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Missouri if they meet either of the following criteria:

1. are exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and currently serve, or propose to serve, persons or communities in central Missouri (see County list above), or
2. are units of local government or public education institutions or other IRS-qualifying organizations for charitable purposes located in central Missouri.

No grants will be made to individuals, political parties, candidates, or political activities.

Community Support Grants are awarded annually, and we estimate that approximately 10 grants between $500-$1,500 each will be awarded during this granting cycle.

The Community Foundation of Central Missouri wishes to partner with nonprofits that share our vision and passion for improving lives of central Missouri residents. We consider our grants to be community investments and look for an “improved lives” return on the investments we make.

To receive a Community Support Grant (if your organization did not receive one last year), the organization must consistently pursue work that falls into at least one of the following four CFCM priority funding areas. This means that the organization’s mission, or much of its programming, as well as the proposed application project, falls within of one of the following four areas:

• human capacity development, especially for disadvantaged persons (equal opportunity, poverty reduction, education and literacy, affordable housing, work
  force training, diversity training, etc.)
• senior adult services (transportation, delivery, health/respite care, home care, etc.)
• arts (dance, theater, music, visual arts, literary arts, etc.)
• environmental sustainability and public spaces (environment, recycling, food production—farmer’s markets, public transportation, parks, trails, conservation, neighborhoods, recreation, aesthetics, etc.)

If an organization received a CFCM Community Support Grant in the prior year, it is not eligible to receive an award this year.

All applications are submitted online, and the CFCM staff and Grants Committee will review all applications and make awards decisions. During the review process, CFCM may contact the applying organization to clarify the request, schedule a site visit, or make suggestions to strengthen the proposal

• June 15 – online grant application process opens by end of day
• July 31 – online applications due by 11:59:59 PM
• End of September, grant award decisions finalized, and notifications sent
  soon thereafter.

• You must adhere to the character limitations for prose (open-ended) questions.
• The application deadline is firm and late applications will not be accepted.
• Organizations which receive a grant agree to allow CFCM to use their organization name and photo in marketing materials.
• You may call 573-817-5027 or email info@cfcmfoundation.org if you have questions about the application or process.
• No paper applications will be accepted. All application questions must be answered in full. Please contact CFCM staff if your organization does not have a computer or internet access.

Not all grant applications can or will be awarded–recent years have seen a ratio of two-three applications received for every grant awarded. All applications will be evaluated using the following, minimum criteria:

• organization’s mission is compatible with CFCM funding priority areas
• organization responds to needs in central Missouri
• organization’s work provides meaningful outcomes
• organization is facing financial challenges
• organization has met all application requirements of CFCM
• organization did not receive a CFCM Support Grant in prior year

Awards are presented at a time of mutual convenience.