The Coover/Rural Schools Partnership Rural Ready Grant Program is now open for application by school partners of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. With $185,000 available, the program will provide up to $7,000 for projects that prepare students for an ever-changing world while strengthening the communities they call home.
Possible themes for projects include:
- Youth markets and economic development
- Career and workforce readiness
- Community connection and engagement
- Community improvement and volunteer service
School partners can begin the application process at cfozarks.org/applyforgrants. Applications are due by 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. For questions, contact Beth Hughs, schools partnership coordinator for the CFO, at bhughs@cfozarks.org or 417-864-6199.
The Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation, a private foundation managed by Commerce Trust, is providing $135,000 for the program, with an additional $50,000 provided by the Trust for Civic Life.
The CFO founded the Rural Schools Partnership in 2009 as part of its regional commitment because schools are anchors for rural communities. Through the partnership, the CFO manages funds for 90 rural school districts and school foundations. In addition to the collaboration with the Coover Charitable Foundation, key programs include the Ozarks Teacher Corps and the Youth Empowerment Project. To learn more, visit cfozarks.org/rsp.
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is the region’s largest public charitable foundation serving donors, nonprofit partners and 55 regional affiliates with $635 million in assets under management as of June 30, 2026. 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. Learn more at cfozarks.org.
