Douglas County Affiliate Grantmaking Program

The Douglas County Affiliate Grantmaking Program Fall FY26 is administered by the Douglas County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. The program is designed to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities within Douglas County by providing financial support to eligible nonprofit and community-serving organizations. The foundation is overseen by a Board of Directors with deep knowledge of the region, and all funding decisions are made by the grant committee. The foundation relies on charitable donors who establish unrestricted and field-of-interest funds, along with other contributions, to make flexible and impactful grants possible. This approach ensures that pressing community needs are addressed at the right time by those closest to the issues. The purpose of this grantmaking program is to support projects that directly benefit Douglas County residents. Organizations may apply for funding to address needs in fields such as arts, culture, community beautification, education, youth services, health, human services, and the environment. Grants are intended to provide timely support and are capped at $2,000 per applicant for this cycle. The program places emphasis on ensuring equitable access, requiring that all grantees agree not to discriminate in their employment practices or in the provision of services funded through this opportunity. Eligibility for the program is limited to IRS-approved entities, including 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government entities, school districts, and churches, provided they serve Douglas County. Applicants that received funding from the spring grant round are not eligible to apply for the fall cycle. This restriction ensures that funding can be distributed across a diverse set of organizations and community projects each year. Applicants must also align with the foundation’s nondiscrimination policy, which applies to both employment and services delivered through the grant. The application process requires completion of an online form through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ grant portal. Applicants must provide organizational details such as their EIN, a description of organizational purpose, recent successes, and the proposed project name. They must outline the request amount, describe the field of work, and provide details about the scope, goals, and community impact of the proposed project. In addition, applicants must describe future funding plans for the project, explain how the grant would be publicized if awarded, and submit both an annual agency budget and a detailed project budget. Supporting documentation, including an EIN confirmation letter and any additional relevant materials such as photos, letters of partnership, or bid sheets, may also be required. Applications will be evaluated based on the clarity of the proposal, alignment with the foundation’s mission, demonstrated community need, and the potential for positive impact in Douglas County. Reviewers will also assess whether the proposed use of funds is realistic and sustainable beyond the grant period. Applicants are encouraged to provide concise and thoughtful responses, keeping in mind that all responses are subject to character limits that include letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation. The deadline for the Fall FY26 cycle is September 30, 2025, at 11:45 p.m. There is no pre-application or letter of intent requirement, and applications open upon announcement of the cycle. Questions about the program itself can be directed to Diana Middleton, while technical or application process questions should be directed to Latesa Carter at 417-864-6199. Applications will be reviewed following submission, and funding decisions will be communicated in alignment with the foundation’s internal timeline.