Missouri Diversity Equity and Inclusion Grants

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Jackson County, Missouri, focused on improving access to healthcare and promoting health equity for local residents, particularly in urban Kansas City.

This funding opportunity supports innovative visual artists in the St. Louis region to create impactful projects that address societal issues and promote equity and sustainability.

This grant provides funding to non-profit organizations in Missouri that are working to improve economic mobility through education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship initiatives in the Kansas City region.

This funding opportunity supports researchers focused on addressing economic mobility and racial wealth gaps through innovative studies that provide actionable insights for equitable growth in the Kansas City region.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and other eligible entities that implement projects aimed at improving the quality of life for residents in Dade County.

This grant provides funding for innovative healthcare projects in the greater Lee’s Summit area, prioritizing initiatives that promote community health, education, and sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit arts organizations in Kansas City that focus on community enrichment and foster employee engagement with local nonprofits.

This grant provides funding to community service organizations in Pettis County for specific projects that promote health access, youth success, and economic mobility.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, government entities, school districts, and churches in the Bootheel region to address pressing community needs and improve the quality of life.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and approved entities in the Joplin area to enhance the quality of life for local residents.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities in Greene County, Missouri, to create outdoor programs and resources that engage local residents, especially those in low-income neighborhoods, with the natural environment.

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 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.

This grant provides funding to organizations in the Kansas City region to strengthen their capacity in areas such as college access, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, ultimately aiming to improve economic mobility for all residents.

LaunchKC is accepting applications for its Grants Competition to attract and retain high-growth tech startups to Downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Donor Name: LaunchKC State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Powered by a purpose to ignite Kansas City’s entrepreneurial spirit, LaunchKC searches nationwide for innovative, diverse early-stage startups looking to take their business to the next level. Each year, they invest more than $500,000 into startups, offering founders a chance to secure $55,000 in funding and gain access to a host of support services – in exchange for headquartering their business in Kansas City, Missouri for at least one year. LaunchKC is a source of equity-free funding for early-stage startups and an opportunity to root your business within a growing entrepreneurial hub surrounded by a community of mentors, collaborators, and resources. LaunchKC believe the promise of tomorrow starts with championing the people building it today. At LaunchKC, they look for companies that are: Founders with pre-seed and seed stage companies. Companies with an innovative and scalable business model. Technology-enabled solutions. Diverse founder teams with a desire to help Kansas City’s ecosystem grow. A strong desire to grow your business in Kansas City. For nearly a decade, LaunchKC has given early-stage startups the tools, resources, capital, and talent they need to thrive and grow. Each year, the grant recipients receive a share of a $500,000 investment and also receive: One-on-one mentorship with industry experts. Curated programming, fundraising support, and access to the LaunchKC network. Free office space in Downtown Kansas City. LaunchKC grant recipients are required to relocate to Kansas City, MO for one year. Founders should not only be willing to relocate their company to Kansas City but should see significant value and opportunity in operating in  city. Companies must agree to locate in Kansas City, MO for at least one year Locate 50% of the full-time team or one full-tiime founder and 50% of their staff in Kansas City for at least a year Eligibility Criteria At LaunchKC, they look for companies that are: For-profit entities with technology-based products, services, or solutions. All industries Scalable business models Early-Stage companies (includes Bootstrapped, Pre-Seed, and Seed Stage) The following companies are not eligible: Retail businesses with brick and mortar storefronts Residential real property business Investment vehicles that invest in the securities of other entities Sports venues Gaming and gambling businesses Places of overnight accommodation Past LaunchKC cash-prize winners Entertainment-related establishments Single-purpose entertainment or event productions (e.g. movies, albums, concerts) For more information, visit LaunchKC.

The James S. McDonnell Foundation is seeking applications that propose innovative, sustainable, and scalable approaches to wealth building and preservation for 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: $500,000 to $1 million 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 Increase the number of individuals and families in JSMF priority communities and groups served by proposed financial products, services, or practices. Increase in wealth and preservation of wealth for individuals and families. Successful proposals will present concepts aligned with one or more of the following tactics, which support strategic framework for helping individuals and communities build and protect wealth within our priority communities and groups  Tactic A: Increase access to existing or new low-cost, low-barrier financial products and services that drive asset attainment, growth, and preservation. Tactic B: Build the capacity of community-based organizations and financial institutions to support wealth building and preservation. Tactic C: Attract new investment capital to disinvested communities in the City of St. Louis and North St. Louis County. The foundation fully expect proposals will go beyond these examples. Developing new loan products to scale homeownership. Providing private equity access for companies owned by people of color. Adjusting financial products to support small and diverse-owned business success. Creating investment products and services that increase ownership in financial markets. Supporting the adoption of employee ownership business models. Implementing systemic changes to credit building. Funding Information Awards totaling $1.8 million. Two to four grants ranging from $450,000 to $900,000. Most grants will be awarded for one to three years.  Criteria Develop innovative financial products, services, or practices to create and preserve wealth in JSMF priority populations. Potential for scalability and sustainability of the proposed approach. Align with JSMF’s mission and guiding principles. Applicants must be a 501(c)3 or have a fiscal sponsor. For more information, visit JSMF.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, government entities, and schools in Missouri to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that improve the quality of life for underrepresented communities.

The Regional Arts Commission’s Artist Support Grant serves as funding for the career advancement of individual artists. Donor Name: Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis State: Missouri County: Saint Louis City (MO), Saint Louis County (MO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant provides funds for an individual artist’s projects, needs, or creative opportunities in all artistic disciplines. Direct support enables diverse artists of various disciplines to advance their careers and complete creative projects. It is designed to be flexible and accessible and to encourage creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustained commitment to artistic work. Grant funds may be designated for (but not limited to) equipment and materials, rental space, arts-related travel, conference fees, living artist wage, project completion, salaries, professional and artistic development, training, and other resources for an individual artist of various disciplines. Funding Criteria  Artist Support applicants will respond to three grant review criteria: Cultural and/or Artistic Essentials (weighted at 40%) A culturally and artistically significant practice or work that contributes to the creative life of the artist and, ultimately, to St. Louis. The artist has provided (1) the essential information for their request, (2) an artist statement, and (3) proof of residency. Includes clearly articulated plans such as location, dates, frequency (as applicable) (the who, what, when, where, and why). Proposed work contributes to the artist’s practice, skills, and craft. Proposed work contributes to innovation and new thinking in the artform and wider culture. Indicates how grant funds will be used. Artist statement demonstrates artistic significance, and the project is relevant to the artistic field and/or the arts & culture sector. The artist is a current resident of St. Louis City or County and has maintained primary residence in St. Louis City or County for at least one year. If the applicant is applying as a part of a collective or co-creator team, each member of the collective/co-creator team is a current resident of St. Louis City or County and has maintained primary residence in St. Louis City or County for at least one year. Community Benefit (weighted at 30%) Artist demonstrates broad community benefit with a practice or work that considers diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The artist has provided a description of (1) their intended audience, (2) potential partners in the work, and (3) DEIA efforts. The intended audience is clearly defined. It is clear this is a direct (public project) or an indirect (artist need) contribution to the St. Louis community. Artist considers and articulates documentation/dissemination of work. Efforts in place to develop meaningful collaborations with diverse groups to expand artistic practice. Demonstrates community participation/connection. Specifies community partnerships that increase engagement. If the applicant is applying as a part of a collective/co-creator team, each member is listed and their role in the work is clear Creates and presents art that represents the telling of stories of diverse populations. Provides equitable opportunities to create and participate. Activities/artwork, and the locations where work is presented are intentionally accessible to all people. Capacity & Sustainability (weighted at 30%) Artist is intentional about artistic/practice capacity and sustainability. The artist has provided (1) a budget explaining their request, (2) a Resume or CV related to their artistic work, and (3) work samples. Has a realistic and balanced budget and clearly articulated budget narrative. Budgeting is appropriate to scope of what artist proposes. Budget indicates diverse revenue streams. Indicates contingency plan to support program completion. Resume /CV is related to the individual’s artistic career. Resume/CV conveys a clear and ongoing commitment to artistic planning, goal setting, and promotions. Resume/CV shows a connection to the artist’s earlier work or represents an intentional shift from what the artist has done in the past as indicated by artist statement and CV or resume. Resume/CV indicates in the past three years, the artist has created and presented their own original works to the public or performed for the public. Work samples indicate alignment with what is outlined in the application. Work samples are relevant to the project for which the artist is applying. Work samples are within the limits set by the application. Funding Information The maximum amount of funding an individual artist can apply for and receive is $7,500. Project Period For artistic practice and/or for project needs or creative opportunities taking place from November 2024 through May 2025. Eligibility Criteria An individual artist is eligible to apply for an Artist Support Grant if the following requirements are met: The artist is 18 years or older The artist is a current resident of St. Louis City or County and has maintained primary residence in St. Louis City or County for at least one year (documentation required) In the past three years, the artist has created and presented their original work(s) to the public or performed for the public (documentation required; this should be documented in a CV or Resume). For more information, visit RAC.