Philanthropic Society opens application period for $200,000 in high-impact grants

Grant applications for a total of $200,000 are now being accepted by the Joplin Regional Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Society, a group of community members with a mission to provide high-impact grants to address red-flag issues. 

For this year’s grantmaking, the Philanthropic Society will award up to $50,000 for each of these high-priority needs in the Joplin, Webb City and Carl Junction region: 

• Barriers to Work & Prosperity

• Child Welfare/Education

• Community Health/Safety

• Housing Affordability & Homelessness

Details for the categories can be found on the grant application.

The grants will provide funding for organizations that can build out current programs or create new services that improve the status of the four categories.

The selection committee will prioritize proposals from organizations that can communicate a vision and long-term plan on how they will address the identified priorities and demonstrate collaboration with other community agencies willing to partner in the effort to improve community well-being.

The deadline for applications is 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4. Organizations with 501(c)3 or similar nonprofit status, such as civic, educational or faith-based groups, may apply. Grant recipients will be announced at the Philanthropic Society’s annual grant luncheon on May 20. 

To begin the application process, go to cfozarks.org/applyforgrants. For questions about the grant program, contact Tom Wells at tomwellsjr@sbcglobal.net or 417-850-4700. For technical questions about the application process, contact Latesa Carter at lcarter@cfozarks.org or 417-864-6199.

The Philanthropic Society was formed by the JRCF in 2018 to respond to emerging community needs by making a significant charitable impact. The group is comprised of 100 members who donate at least $2,500 annually in dues to the JRCF Philanthropic Society Fund.

Over the past six years, the Philanthropic Society has granted more than $1.2 million to nonprofits serving Joplin, Webb City and Carl Junction. The Philanthropic Society has also granted more than $129,000 to the Duane and Edith Lawellin Legacy Endowment Fund since 2019.

The Joplin Regional Community Foundation, founded in 2006, is an affiliate foundation of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the region’s largest public charitable foundation serving donors, nonprofit partners and 55 regional affiliates with $549 million in assets under management as of June 30, 2025.

The CFO’s mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone in central and southern Missouri through resource development, community grantmaking, collaboration and public leadership.

Community Foundation of the Ozarks
Mailing: P.O. Box 8960 · Springfield, MO 65801
Physical: 300 South Jefferson, Suite 400 · Springfield, MO 65806
Phone: 417-864-6199 · Fax: 417-864-8344
cfozarks.org