Missouri Business and Commerce Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments in Missouri for revitalizing downtown areas by improving commercial buildings and infrastructure in communities facing slum and blight conditions.

This program provides financial assistance to eligible property owners in Nixa for improving the exteriors of their commercial or industrial buildings to enhance the community's visual appeal and economic vitality.

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is seeking applications for EITAS Grants to provide funding for support and services to Jackson County citizens with developmental disabilities. Donor Name: Greater Kansas City Community Foundation State: Missouri County: Jackson County (MO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/14/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Areas of Interest In keeping with the intent of its enabling legislation, eitas provides funding for the services, supports, and capital resources necessary for individuals with developmental disabilities to reside in and belong to their community. For more than 35 years, eitas has been dedicated to funding programs that offer essential services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Jackson County. Eitas’ commitment ensures that everyone eligible gets the necessary support and care they deserve, aiming for both their satisfaction and well-being. Funding priorities are as follows:  Transportation Inclusion with community Crisis prevention and support Transition Safe equitable access to housing. Eligibility Criteria Grants are made to nonprofits that have current 501(c)(3) status, and provide support to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families residing within Jackson County, Missouri. Ineligibility Eitas will not fund routine costs of business or administrative items such as annual financial audits, technology or equipment not directly related to services and supports for individuals being served, insurance or benefits for provider staff, and costs for personnel that are covered in contracted purchase of service rates from Medicaid or state services. For more information, visit GKCCF.

The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation is seeking applications for EITAS Grants to provide funding for support and services to Jackson County citizens with developmental disabilities. Donor Name: Greater Kansas City Community Foundation State: Missouri County: Jackson County (MO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/14/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Areas of Interest In keeping with the intent of its enabling legislation, eitas provides funding for the services, supports, and capital resources necessary for individuals with developmental disabilities to reside in and belong to their community. For more than 35 years, eitas has been dedicated to funding programs that offer essential services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Jackson County. Eitas’ commitment ensures that everyone eligible gets the necessary support and care they deserve, aiming for both their satisfaction and well-being. Funding priorities are as follows:  Transportation Inclusion with community Crisis prevention and support Transition Safe equitable access to housing. Eligibility Criteria Grants are made to nonprofits that have current 501(c)(3) status, and provide support to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families residing within Jackson County, Missouri. Ineligibility Eitas will not fund routine costs of business or administrative items such as annual financial audits, technology or equipment not directly related to services and supports for individuals being served, insurance or benefits for provider staff, and costs for personnel that are covered in contracted purchase of service rates from Medicaid or state services. For more information, visit GKCCF.

The Heartland Regional Food Business Center is offering Business Builder Subawards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to support small food and farm businesses in selected states and counties, aiming to expand local and regional food markets, increase business acumen, and strengthen food systems in response to COVID-19, with projects to be completed within a year.

Applications are now being accepted for the Minority Business Enterprise Grant Program Donor Name: Regional Economic Development Inc State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Grant program, administered by REDI and funded by the City of Columbia, focuses on inclusivity in opportunity and elevating underrepresented businesses. Through this program, a total of $50,000 will be awarded to ten small for-profit businesses in Columbia that are 51% or more owned by individuals self-identifying as one or more of the following: African, African American, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, Latinx, Native American (including Native Alaskan or Hawaiian), or Subcontinent Asian.  Funding Information Each year, REDI awards ten $5,000 grants to deserving Minority-owned Businesses.  Eligibility Requirements Business must be 51% or more owned by a person(s) of color as defined above Business must be a for-profit entity legally registered with the State of Missouri and have a Federal Tax ID (EIN) Business must have a Columbia business license Business must be located in Columbia city limits Business must be actively working with a business coach through REDI or another organization Business must have 10 or fewer employees (or full-time equivalents) For more information, visit REDI.

Grant Name: Regional Touring Program Grants Donor: Mid-America Arts Alliance Location: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas Grant Type: Grant Deadline: Ongoing Grant Size: Up to $5,000 Details: The Regional Touring Program grants by Mid-America Arts Alliance support presenting organizations in showcasing the work of artists from within the M-AAA region. Presenters can receive up to 50% of the artist's fee for booking an artist listed on a state touring roster and up to 25% for booking an artist from the region not listed on a touring roster. Rural presenters may receive an additional 10% of the artist's fee. Projects must engage regional audiences through exposure, interaction, and outreach engagement. Eligible projects must feature in-region artists from outside the presenter's home state and include public-facing events between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. The grant does not cover indirect project costs or expenses associated with benefits or fundraiser events. Eligibility Criteria: Applicant organizations must be tax-exempt non-profit organizations or federally recognized tribal communities incorporated in one or more states in the M-AAA region. They must have a valid EIN and UEI ID and commit to M-AAA's Grantee Assurance of Compliance and Federal Suspension and Disbarment Policy. Organizations may submit a maximum of three applications per fiscal year. For more information, visit M-AAA's website.

The James S. McDonnell Foundation is seeking applications from organizations collaborating to bring people together across diverse zip codes, races, and income levels to support economic mobility in JSMF priority communities and groups. Donor Name: James S. McDonnell Foundation State: Missouri County: Saint Louis City (MO), Saint Louis County (MO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: These include the City of St. Louis and North St. Louis County, with a focus on low and moderate-income individuals and families, and Black and historically marginalized groups, including immigrants. Objectives Strengthen the collaborative capacity of people from different backgrounds to work across differences. Improve the economic well-being of JSMF priority populations. The foundation fully expect proposals will go beyond these examples. Youth mentorship across class divisions Networking support for landing a first job Community investment clubs Business-to-business mentorship Peer-to-peer lending Funding Information Awards totaling $200,000. Five to ten grants ranging from $20,000 to $40,000. Most grants will be awarded for one to three years.  Eligibility Criteria Bring people together across diverse geographies, races, and income levels to partner for the first time. Demonstrate a clear alignment with JSMF’s mission and guiding principles. Employ approaches to strengthen the collaborative capacity of participants. Create a positive, long-term, tangible impact on the economic well-being of JSMF priority populations. Applicants must be a 501(c)3 or have a fiscal sponsor. For more information, visit JSMF.

The Nevada/Vernon County Community Foundation is seeking applications to improve the quality of life for individuals in Vernon County through thoughtful grantmaking and community leadership. Donor Name: Nevada/Vernon County Community Foundation State: Missouri County: Vernon County (MO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Nevada/Vernon County Community Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, chosen for their knowledge of the area. The unique role of a community foundation is to conduct a flexible community grantmaking program which addresses the most important needs of the community at any one time. The flexibility this requires is made possible by charitable donors who established unrestricted or field-of-interest funds and place the decision-making in the hands of the community leaders serving on our Board of Directors as well as dollars raised by the Nevada/Vernon County Community Foundation. This grant program is funded by the Nevada/Vernon County Philanthropic Society. The mission of the Philanthropic Society is to pool the annual membership gifts of up to 100 individuals, couples, and businesses in Nevada/Vernon County for distribution in support of local projects that improve the services and quality of life in this community. Funding Information Maximum grant request amount is $25,000.  Eligibility Criteria Grant proposals are accepted according to an announced time table, and grant recommendations are made as funds are available. 501(c)3 organizations or other IRS approved entities (government entities, school districts and churches) serving the Nevada/Vernon County area are eligible to apply.  For more information, visit CFO.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund to advance pollinator conservation. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The goal of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators.  The most competitive projects will demonstrate clear benefits to both monarch butterfly and additional at-risk native insect pollinator species (i.e., federally listed, candidate, or proposed native insect pollinator species). Special consideration will be given to projects benefiting rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. Categories Grants will be awarded in two categories:  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands Funding in this category will support implementation of technical assistance to increase the number of private landowners voluntarily engaged in monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation practices on private working lands. Up to $2 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $150,000 to $500,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to three years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. This category aims to support conservation planning and practice design with private landowners to advance voluntary conservation efforts on working lands that align with NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife frameworks or initiatives, and especially increase Working Lands for Wildlife participation among farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. The 2024 Pollinator Fund RFP will support projects that: Direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices. Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Hiring additional staff or contractors, based on demonstrated need, including staff to assist private landowners and NRCS with developing pollinator habitat management plans and implementation of new and existing NRCS financial assistance contracts. Targeting outreach to landowners and other partners to prioritize, plan, and deliver financial assistance available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and other Farm Bill programs to improve pollinator habitat and support at-risk pollinator species. Habitat Improvement Funding in this category will support on-the-ground work to increase the quality, quantity, and connectivity of habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. Up to $3.1 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to two years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. Applicants in this category should define a step-by-step restoration plan including site preparation, equipment used, planting techniques, size of the project area, description of target native plant community, and maintenance plan (e.g., prescribed burning, mowing, grazing schedules). Projects proposed to benefit other at-risk native insect pollinators should specify habitat needs for those species and how the proposed work will support their breeding, nectaring, nesting, or other habitat needs. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Restore and enhance pollinator habitat, with an emphasis on regionally appropriate milkweed and a diversity of native nectar plants. Increase native seed and seedling supply, with an emphasis on improving the sustainability and affordability of regionally appropriate, local ecotypes. Program Priorities  All proposals must specifically address how the proposed project will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of the Pollinator Fund’s goals as outlined in NFWF’s Monarch Butterfly Business Plan. As such, all proposals must provide the number of acres restored or enhanced as a result of the project. Proposals must include plans to restore or enhance a minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states. Acres may be counted from multiple sites; the sites do not need to be contiguous. Since 2015, successful proposals have included a median of 960 acres and an average of 2,120 acres restored or enhanced.  Funding Information The Pollinator Fund will award up to $5.1 million in grants in 2024: up to $2 million for Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands and up to $3.1 million for Habitat Improvement. Funding is provided by Bayer Crop Science, Danone North America, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS).  Geographical Areas  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands  Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. Projects are restricted to private working lands. Habitat Improvement Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. West of the Rocky Mountains, priority will be given to projects on or adjacent to the following: monarch butterfly overwintering sites, BLM lands, and USFS lands. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations, U.S. federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

The Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program provides direct grant awards to African-American owned/operated businesses and attractions along Route 66, and funding to support research and programs designed to tell the stories of Black experiences related to Route 66. The program, celebrating the Route 66 Centennial, aims to help Black-owned businesses and attractions stay in operation, reopen, and expand, while also supporting research and storytelling efforts related to Black experiences on Route 66. Eligible applicants include Black-owned/operated businesses located along Route 66 with fewer than 20 employees. The 2024 grant round offers a total of $50,000 in awards, with applications due by July 14, 2024, and awards announced the week of August 5, 2024.

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District has announced the availability of approximately $150,000.00, pending MDNR official award letter, in grant funds available for solid waste projects within the seven county areas that the district serves. Donor Name: Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District State: Missouri County: Crawford County (MO), Dent County (MO), Gasconade County (MO), Maries County (MO), Phelps County (MO), Washington County (MO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This includes the counties of Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington. There are two mechanisms through which citizens, businesses, and organizations of Missouri can obtain funding for solid waste management activities. These include:  Market Development: Funds for the purchase of equipment to manufacture recycled-content products or to process recovered materials through Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority (EIERA).  Solid Waste Management Districts/Counties/Cities: Funds to solid waste management districts and the cities and counties within the district for activities that implement their solid waste management plans. Up to fifty percent (50%) of the grant money available to a district within a fiscal year may be allocated for district operation and plan implementation projects and at least fifty percent (50%) shall be allocated for projects of cities and counties within the district Examples of applying the above categories into activities for 2023 grant projects: Education — Waste reduction and recycling education is integral to the district’s mission. This priority emphasizes the need to carry out educational efforts that raise awareness and increase participation in waste reduction, recycling programs and contamination reduction. Example: community or school-based food waste reduction program. End-Market Development — Projects that support the development of new markets and the expansion of existing markets for recovered materials generated in their region. Example: manufacturing of products from recycled materials. Waste Reduction and Reuse — Projects which support waste reduction and reuse activities that include community-based projects that focus on repair services, lending libraries, and educational projects that teach waste reduction. Example: Fix-it clinics for repair of small appliances, lamps, and sewing. Hard-To-Recycle Items — Collection, processing and end markets for hard-to-recycle materials. Examples include furniture, mattresses, carpet, rigid plastics (such as laundry baskets and toys), Styrofoam, ceramics, and porcelain. Organics Management — Projects that address infrastructure and collection programs for food waste composting or develop pilot projects for school-based food waste reduction and composting activities. Construction and Demolition Waste — Projects which effectively address the diversion of construction and demolition materials or develop ways to incorporate the reuse of discarded construction and demolition materials into an existing business. Special Events/Business/ Multi-Family Dwelling Recycling — Improve access to recycling in multi- family buildings and increase recycling participation of businesses and special events. For more information, visit ORSWMD.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farms and processing facilities in select Midwestern states to promote product development, diversification, and value-added dairy innovations.

The Kansas City Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Program is offering eligible restaurants an opportunity to apply for grants of up to $15,000 to enhance their outdoor dining spaces. Donor Name: City of Kansas City State: Missouri City: Kansas City Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program aligns with the City’s broader goals of fostering a thriving local economy, supporting small businesses, and creating vibrant, community-oriented neighborhoods. Funding Information Eligible businesses can apply for a grant up to $15,000 to enhance their outdoor dining spaces. Eligiblity Criteria To be eligible a restaurant must:  Be a private, for-profit, full-service restaurant.  Be located within Kansas City, Missouri  Possess all necessary licenses and permits for your business, and be in good standing with the city, a KCMO Tax Clearance letter will be required.  Use the Grant funds to increase the total number of available tables for outdoor dining, specifically, at least six (6) months out of a calendar year.  Must have been in business for at least one (1) year, i.e. acquired a KCMO business license as of July 1, 2023. The size of Street Café or Sidewalk Café to be used must be able to accommodate a 5-foot clear path to meet ADA requirements.  The totality of all grant monies issued must be used for the sole purpose of outdoor dining enhancement of the space listed on application, including but not limited to, building structure construction, building infrastructure, expanding walkways, purchasing of furniture and coverings and necessary permit(s) costs. For more information, visit City of Kansas City.

The spring application period for Wentzville’s Facade Improvement Grant Program is now open! Donor Name: City of Wentzville State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose of this program is to permit and encourage the preservation of historic structures and avoid general neighborhood deterioration through renovation and restoration. This program is open to businesses and mixed-use buildings more than 30 years old that are located in the HD-1, HD-2 or HD-3 zoning districts.  These grants are designed to: Boost property development Strengthen new and existing businesses Facilitate the rehabilitation and modernization of downtown buildings. Funding Information Facade Improvement Grants are a 50-50 match for an amount not to exceed $10,000, per project. For more information, visit City of Wentzville.

This grant provides funding to non-profit organizations in Missouri that support entrepreneurs in developing high-tech companies and creating sustainable jobs through innovation and commercialization of new technologies.

This grant provides financial support to public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations for the preservation and interpretation of historic sites along the Route 66 corridor, with a focus on underrepresented communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, government entities, school districts, and faith-based groups in Springfield, Missouri, to support programs that empower youth and encourage their participation in community service.

The Kansas City Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Program, under the leadership of Mayor Quinton Lucas and Councilman Wes Rogers, offers financial support to enhance permanent and multi-season outdoor dining spaces for restaurants in Kansas City, Missouri. The program aims to foster a vibrant restaurant industry, contributing to a thriving local economy and community-oriented neighborhoods. Eligible restaurants can receive grants of up to $15,000 for outdoor dining enhancements such as building structures, infrastructure improvements, and the purchase of furniture and coverings. Eligibility criteria include being a private, for-profit, full-service restaurant located in Kansas City, Missouri, possessing necessary licenses and permits, and having been in business for at least one year. Applications are accepted from July 29 to August 16, 2024, with selections announced in September 2024.

The City of Wentzville is accepting applications for its Business Development Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Wentzville State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program is open to new or significantly expanding businesses in Wentzville’s Historic Downtown zoning districts (HD-1, HD-2 or HD-3). The Business Development Grant is designed to ease start-up and/or business development costs. The grant can be used for various interior building improvements such as paint, finish carpentry, flooring or countertops. New businesses must have been open for less than 12 months. These grants are designed to: Boost property development Strengthen new and existing businesses Facilitate the rehabilitation and modernization of downtown buildings. For more information, visit City of Wentzville.