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Community Grants

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Community Grants

The Research Foundation is deepening our investment in the health of Kansas City.

The Research Foundation awards community grants in support of programs and organizations that expand access to care and promote health equity.

  • Access to Care
  • Health Equity

Our 2025 Grantees

The Research Foundation is excited to announce our 2025 grantees. Read the full announcement here.

Download The Research Foundation's Community Grants Communications Guidelines here. Please use these guidelines when publicizing information about these grants. 

  • 2026 Cycle Application Process

    1. The Community Grants Application closed on July 31, 2026.

    2. All applicants will be notified of grant decisions by December 11, 2026. Applicants must use The Research Foundation's Grants Portal to view application status. Create or return to an existing account.

  • Eligibility Requirements

    The Research Foundation focuses its funding on organizations that primarily serve residents of Jackson County, Missouri with a priority on urban Kansas City.

    Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3). We do not support 509(a)(3) organizations. We do not make grants to organizations with a pending 501(c)(3) status.

    Community grants are awarded in alignment with the following priorities:
    • Expanding Access to Care
    • Promoting Health Equity

    Support will be considered for any program delivered by an eligible applicant that aligns with the stated priorities. All program applicants are allowed to request 10% in indirect costs to help ease the burden of overhead necessary to deliver the program.

    Nonprofit organizations with health-centric missions for whom more than half of their program offerings are in alignment with The Research Foundation's stated priorities can apply for general operating support.

    Organizations with net assets greater than $150 million are ineligible to apply.

Important Dates

Data Table

2025 Cycle 2026 Cycle
Application Closes July 31, 2025 July 31, 2026
Notification of Awards December 15, 2025 December 11, 2026
Site Visits March through July 2026 March through June 2027
Interim Report Deadline July 15, 2026 July 15, 2027
Final Report Deadline January 31, 2027 January 31, 2028

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions?
Send an email or call 816-276-4812.

  • What is The Research Foundation’s geographic focus?

    The Research Foundation will provide support for organizations that primarily serve residents of Jackson County, Missouri (more than 50% of those served must be Jackson County residents) with a priority on urban Kansas City.

  • How does my organization apply for a grant?

    Organizations must apply online through The Research Foundation grant portal.

  • What is the timeline for grant applications and awards?

    The 2026 community grants cycle will support program or operating activities that occur during the 2027 calendar year. The timeline is detailed below.

    • Applications Open: June 4, 2026
    • In-Person Grant Info Meeting: June 4, 2026
    • Virtual Grant Info Meeting: June 8, 2026
    • Applications Due: July 31, 2026
    • Awards Notification: December 11, 2026
    • Site Visits: March through June 2027
    • Interim Report Deadline: July 15, 2027
    • Final Report Deadline: January 31, 2028

  • Does The Research Foundation fund general operating support?

    Nonprofit organizations with health-centric missions for whom more than half of their program offerings are in alignment with the stated priorities can apply for general operating support.

  • Does The Research Foundation fund multi-year grants?

    The Research Foundation will make one-year grant awards only. Multi-year requests will not be considered at this time.

  • Can an organization submit more than one application per year?

    The Research Foundation will only accept one application per organization per year.

  • What is the average grant size?

    Approximately $1.7 million is available through this commmunity grants process. We encourage applicants to ask for what they need with the understanding that most grants funded will be in the range of $25,000 to $50,000.

  • Will my organization be required to submit reports?

    Funded organizations will be required to participate in either verbal or written interim and final reporting to follow up on agreed upon outcomes and ensure organizations have the resources they need to successfully deliver programming. These requirements will be outlined in grant award agreements. Site visits may be conducted annually.

  • What is not supported by The Research Foundation?

    • Political parties, candidates, or political activities
    • Organizations that require or advocate religious activity as part of or in exchange for services
    • Individuals
    • International organizations
    • Organizations that discriminate
    • Fundraising events and activities
    • Travel or conference expenses
    • Single-disease organizations
    • Medical research
    • Organizations with net assets greater than $150 million

  • Still have questions?

    We're here to help! Send an email or call 816-276-4812.

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