Funding search · early childhood education · Missouri
Who funds early childhood education work in Missouri
15 funders have a record of paying for early childhood education work by Missouri recipients: 61 grants totaling $2.7M, most recently in 2025 — mostly private foundations, plus grantmaking charities. The largest by matched giving are The Sherman Family Foundation ($1.2M), Oppenstein Brothers Foundation ($130,000) and The Ensign-Bickford Foundation ($42,500).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to Missouri recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
Largest: $198,569 to OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH — to support early childhood education.
Largest: $20,000 to CHILDRENS CENTER FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED — scholarships for preschool students over 3 years
Largest: $10,000 to SOUTHSIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER — community assistance
St Louis Community FoundationSt Louis, MOCharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $268,500 · through 2024Largest: $120,000 to WEPOWER — general support, early childhood education market rate survey effort
Largest: $7,000 to Kirkwood Area Every Child Promise KAEChP — project/program support - preschool scholarships
Largest: $22,606 to KIRBYVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT — reduce preschool tuition
Jackson County Community Children'SKansas City, MOCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $597,032 · through 2024Largest: $218,618 to FRONT PORCH ALLIANCE KANSAS CITY — neighborhood families: early childhood education
Largest: $10,000 to EARLY START — early childhood education program
Arvest FoundationBentonville, AR
3 matching grants · $16,000 · through 2024Largest: $6,000 to Southwest R-V School District — to support the scholastic book donations program to purchase one book per month for each student in grades preschool through 4th grade.
Largest: $35,000 to SEEDS OF FAITH PRESCHOOL — building fund and cabinets
Largest: $7,500 to SAVANNAH R III SCHOOL DISTRICT — preschool program
Largest: $5,000 to JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER — early childhood education, day and resident camp, culture & education, group social services (including senior nutrition and inclusion programs) and fitness & wellness.
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Start with one paperBroader: early childhood education funders nationally · all Missouri-based grantmakers