L-A-D Foundation Grant Program

The L-A-D Foundation, in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, is offering grants to nonprofit and public interest organizations. This program aligns with the L-A-D Foundation's mission to benefit the natural and cultural resources of the Missouri Ozarks within its 12-county service area. The foundation seeks innovative projects that support the conservation of these resources. The target beneficiaries are 501(c)3 organizations or other IRS-approved entities, including government entities, school districts, and churches. These organizations must be working in Carter, Crawford, Dent, Madison, Maries, Oregon, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Ste. Genevieve, Shannon, or Texas counties. The impact goal is to foster conservation efforts and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the Missouri Ozarks. The grant program prioritizes projects in areas such as environmental and conservation education, grassroots organizing, new program start-up costs, capital support, seed money, and workshops. It explicitly excludes requests for annual or operating support, social events, or benefits. This focus demonstrates the foundation's strategic priority on initiating and supporting specific, impactful conservation projects rather than ongoing operational expenses. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in conservation efforts, increased environmental awareness through education, and the successful establishment of new programs or initiatives that protect the Ozarks' unique heritage. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the emphasis on "innovative projects" suggests a desire for demonstrable progress and impact within the chosen project areas. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by strategically funding targeted, innovative projects, they can catalyze significant positive change in the conservation landscape of the Missouri Ozarks.