Community Foundation Of Northwest Missouri

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,200,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $366,000
• Geographic Focus: 15-county Northwest Missouri region

Contact Details

Website: www.cfnwmo.org Phone: 816-232-2022 Email: info@cfnwmo.org Address: 1006 W St. Maartens Drive, Suite B, St. Joseph, MO 64506

Key Contacts:

• Mary Hinde, President/CEO - mary@cfnwmo.org
• Stacey Helfery, Vice President & Administrative Director - stacey@cfnwmo.org

Overview

Established in 2009, the Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri is a public charity managing approximately $38.1 million in total assets (2023). The foundation serves 15 counties in Northwest Missouri including Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway and Worth counties. With a mission to promote charitable giving and help donors create lasting legacies, the foundation administers 220 funds and awards millions annually to support regional nonprofits and educational institutions. In 2023, the foundation made 72 grants totaling $2.2 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Donor-Advised Fund Grants: $5,000 - $366,000 (median $14,000) - Grants made through donor recommendations
• Scholar Link Scholarships: Various amounts - Multiple scholarship opportunities administered through one application system
• Regional Vitality Initiative: Non-competitive collaborative program supporting regional development

Priority Areas

• Education and scholarship support
• Community development
• Regional collaboration and economic vitality
• Nonprofit capacity building in Northwest Missouri
• Youth programs and services
• Faith-based organizations

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in available materials

Governance and Leadership

Mary R. Hinde - President/CEO Mary leads the foundation's strategic vision and has been a strong advocate for the "5% Solution" encouraging residents to allocate at least 5% of estate transfers to charitable causes. She emphasizes regional collaboration: "When communities think about the future of our 18-county region and act locally to improve their communities, we improve the economy and quality of life for the citizens of the entire region."

Stacey Helfery - Vice President & Administrative Director

Erin Wieneke - Administrative Assistant

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are primarily distributed through donor-advised funds where individual donors recommend grant recipients. Organizations receive funding through donor recommendations rather than competitive applications.

Getting on Their Radar

• Build relationships with existing fund holders and donors in Northwest Missouri
• Participate in the Regional Vitality Initiative's collaborative community development efforts
• Contact Mary Hinde directly to discuss organizational needs and community impact
• Engage with the foundation's events and community initiatives
• Consider establishing a relationship through their non-competitive Regional Vitality program

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on a rolling basis through donor recommendations

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to donor-advised fund structure

Application Success Factors

Since grants are made through donor recommendations rather than competitive applications:

• Focus on building visibility and relationships with donors in the Northwest Missouri region
• Demonstrate strong community impact and alignment with regional vitality goals
• Maintain 501(c)(3) status and good standing as a qualified public charity
• Develop clear, measurable outcomes that appeal to individual donors
• Participate actively in regional collaboration initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation operates primarily through donor-advised funds - there is no competitive grant application process
• Focus efforts on relationship building with fund holders rather than traditional grant applications
• The foundation awarded $2.2 million across 72 grants in 2023, showing significant local impact
• Median grant size of $14,000 suggests focus on moderate-sized community investments
• Regional collaboration and community vitality are core values - emphasize regional impact
• Consider participating in the non-competitive Regional Vitality Initiative for engagement opportunities
• Direct outreach to President/CEO Mary Hinde may be beneficial for organizations seeking support

References

• Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri website (www.cfnwmo.org) - Accessed February 2026
• Instrumentl 990 Report Database - Community Foundation Of Northwest Missouri - Accessed February 2026
• Cause IQ Nonprofit Database - The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri (EIN 27-0436182) - Accessed February 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Community Foundation Of Northwest Missouri Form 990 filings - Accessed February 2026
• Foundation Directory (Candid) - Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri Profile - Accessed February 2026
• GuideStar Profile - Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri (EIN 27-0436182) - Accessed February 2026