ST. JAMES — Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) will be awarding two community grants of up to $1,000 each. Preference will be given to projects that focuses on community or economic development and projects that will assist at-risk children and/or low-income families.

Any nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, schools, faith-based organizations and governmental entities looking to address these needs are encouraged to apply. Organizations and governmental entities must be based or provide service in the Meramec Region — Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties — to qualify.

For the last 13 years, MRCF has awarded grants to further local projects through its community grant program. 2012 marked the inaugural year for the grant program, and in the last 13 years $24,400 in grant funds have been awarded to 68 community projects throughout the region. The grants are made possible through the Meramec Regional Community Foundation Community Grant-making Fund, which was created by a $30,000 donation from Meramec Regional Planning Commission. A portion of the fund’s earnings are distributed each year through grants.  

Awardees in 2025 included the Armed Services YMCA of Missouri for a lending library and KidSight to provide vision screenings.

Applications for the 2026 grant round will be accepted online only until 5 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2026. Online applications may be found and submitted at https://www.grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=cfozarksgrants.

MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) and is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) in Springfield. The regional affiliate was formed in 2010. Its 12-member board includes representation from each of the eight Meramec counties and from MRPC. Richard Cavendar of Phelps County serves as chairman of MRCF.

Currently, MRCF has 50 funds totaling over $4.4 million.

CFO is a public foundation serving the Missouri Ozarks. The foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the region through resource development, community grant-making, collaborations and public leadership. Formed in 1973, CFO has since grown to include 55 affiliate community foundations and more than 3,500 charitable funds totaling approximately $526 million in assets, as of March 2025. MRCF was the first affiliate fund in 2010.

MRPC, in addition to establishing the regional foundation and providing the initial investment to create a grant program, provides staff support to MRCF.