Karen Jean Rudek Fund Grant Program

The Community Foundation of the Lake, affiliated with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, administers the Karen Jean Rudek Fund Grant Program to support the welfare of animals, specifically horses and dogs, in the Lake of the Ozarks region. This fund is guided by a mission to improve the quality of life for both animals and community members by providing targeted financial assistance to organizations focused on sheltering, rescuing, and rehabilitating dogs and horses. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations as well as government entities, school districts, and churches that serve as IRS-approved entities. However, funding is strictly reserved for shelters, sanctuaries, or rescue facilities focused on horses and/or dogs. The fund prioritizes organizations based in the Lake of the Ozarks area, with services confined to Camden, Miller, and Morgan Counties in Missouri. Organizations may request up to $10,000 in funding for this grant cycle. The grant is designed to support operational or programmatic needs that align with the fund’s focus on animal welfare. There is no mention of cost sharing or matching requirements, and the fund appears to be privately sourced, with no indication of federal or state involvement. The application deadline for this cycle is October 30, 2025. There is no pre-application or letter of intent process mentioned, and application materials and submission procedures are not detailed in the source. However, interested applicants are advised to contact Dawn Busick for questions specific to the grant program itself. For technical or process-related inquiries regarding the application, Latesa Carter can be reached at 417-864-6199. Preference is given to entities operating within the Lake of the Ozarks area, emphasizing the fund’s commitment to supporting its immediate community. The fund reinforces local animal welfare infrastructure by providing targeted grants that enable qualified shelters and rescues to expand their care and protection of animals in need.