The Ruth I. Kolpin Family Donor Advised Fund is a charitable fund under the Carthage Community Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals in the Greater Carthage area and Jasper and Newton counties in Missouri. The fund supports nonprofit organizations and other IRS-approved entities that align with its mission of making a meaningful impact through community-based grantmaking.

The grant program prioritizes funding projects in the areas of charitable work, education, religion, arts, historic preservation, and scientific initiatives. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government entities, school districts, and churches that serve the designated geographic region. Grants awarded must be utilized within one year of receipt, and recipients are required to submit a detailed follow-up report after one year to ensure proper use of funds.

The application window for the FY25 grant cycle opens on March 17, 2025, and closes at 11:45 PM on April 10, 2025. Applications must be submitted within this timeframe, and late submissions, including those affected by technical issues, will not be considered. Grant decisions are made by the fund’s advisory board, and awards will be announced in May 2025. The maximum grant request amount is $25,000 per applicant.

All grant applications must be authorized by the governing board of the applicant organization before submission. The application system enforces a character count on all responses, including letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation. Prospective applicants can contact Chanti Beckham at 417-438-9970 for questions related to the grant program. For inquiries regarding the application process or technical assistance, applicants can reach out to Latesa Carter at 417-864-6199.

The grantmaking process adheres to the nondiscrimination policies of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO). In both awarding grants and in the use of grant funds, discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status is strictly prohibited. This ensures that all grantees uphold equitable access and inclusive policies in their employment and service delivery practices.