Bolivar Area Affiliate Grantmaking Program

The Bolivar Area Affiliate Grantmaking Program FY26 is administered by the Bolivar Area Community Foundation, an organization committed to enhancing the quality of life in the Bolivar and Polk County area. Operated under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the foundation is directed by a local Board of Directors who are well-versed in the community’s needs. The grant program is guided by a flexible model of community grantmaking that is responsive to the evolving priorities of the local population. This flexibility is supported by unrestricted or field-of-interest funds established by donors who have entrusted decision-making to community leaders. This funding opportunity aims to support impactful projects that serve residents within Bolivar and Polk County. The program is intentionally designed to provide targeted resources to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and other qualifying entities such as government units, school districts, and churches. Eligible applicants must clearly demonstrate that their services benefit the geographic area covered by the grant. The intention is to stimulate community development, enhance service delivery, and support the mission of local entities engaged in charitable work. Grants of up to $3,000 may be awarded during this cycle, with all applications due by noon on October 3, 2025. While the total program funding amount is not specified, applications are accepted based on funding availability. Applicants should note that the grant application system calculates character counts across letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation in all responses. Therefore, close attention to detail is required in drafting submissions to meet the platform’s formatting requirements. The application and evaluation processes are managed by the foundation’s grant committee. While no specific evaluation rubric is provided, applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with the community’s pressing needs and demonstrate clear, achievable outcomes. The review process does not permit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, and grantees are expected to adhere to these non-discrimination standards in both employment practices and service access. Interested applicants may reach out to Lindsey Godfrey at 417-777-1463 or Kelly Parson at 417-298-2223 for program-specific inquiries. For questions regarding the application process or any technical issues encountered while using the submission portal, Latesa Carter is available at 417-864-6199. The grant does not list a specific opening date for the application cycle, nor does it require a pre-application step such as a Letter of Intent. There is no indication that this program is offered on a rolling basis; however, it is understood to be a recurring annual opportunity. While a definitive next-cycle date is not provided, a future opportunity is likely to follow a similar annual schedule, with a projected reopening in August 2026 based on past patterns. The application portal can be previewed through the provided link to ensure preparedness ahead of submission.