Barton County Affiliate Grantmaking Program

The Barton County Affiliate Grantmaking Program FY26 is administered by the Barton County Community Foundation, a component of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders who are well-acquainted with the region’s needs and priorities. The mission of the Barton County Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life for individuals in Barton County, Missouri, through responsive grantmaking and proactive community leadership. It operates by distributing funds from unrestricted and field-of-interest funds provided by charitable donors, allowing the Foundation the flexibility to address timely and evolving needs in the community. For FY26, the Barton County Community Foundation will award a total of $20,000 through its grantmaking program. Grant proposals will be accepted in an open field of interest, meaning there is no thematic restriction this year. The Foundation gives preference to projects that offer innovative solutions to pressing community issues and encourages collaboration among organizations and donors. Although applications are open to a broad scope of project types, funding requests for operating expenses are discouraged. Instead, priority will be given to unique, nonrecurring projects that deliver tangible benefits to the Barton County community. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or other IRS-recognized tax-exempt entities that serve Barton County. Additional stipulations require that the request be authorized by the applicant organization's governing board and that applicants not have received a local grant in the prior year. Each applicant may request up to $4,000. Grants awarded will be for a one-year term, and recipients must submit a final report one year after receiving funds. The application must be submitted through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ online portal by 12:00 PM (noon) on October 24, 2025. All applications are subject to a character count limit, which includes all characters such as letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation. The application process includes questions on organizational purpose, recent accomplishments, project name, field of work, request description, project scope, future funding plans, and publicity plans. Applicants must upload their annual agency budget, project budget, EIN confirmation letter, and any supporting documentation such as letters of partnership or visuals. The grant review process is conducted by the Foundation's grant committee, and funding decisions are made as funds become available. Discrimination of any kind in the use of grant funds or within grantee organizations is strictly prohibited. For questions regarding the program guidelines, applicants can contact Heidi Johnson at (417) 660-9944. For technical assistance with the application system, Latesa Carter can be reached at (417) 864-6199.

Character count includes all spaces and punctuation; ensure governing board approval; avoid requesting operating expenses.