Commerce Bancshares Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Commerce Bancshares Foundation supports arts and culture, education, health, human services and civic affairs in Missouri.
FUNDING AREAS: Arts and culture, education, health, human services, civic affairs
IP TAKE: Missouri groups in the Kansas City and St. Louis area will benefit by getting to know this low-key corporate funder because it has a broad and accessible grant program that focuses on local needs. This is an accessible funder that has a more relaxed application process. However, it doesn’t offer much information on what it looks for in a grantee, so contact the foundation to discuss your work with its staff to see if it’s a good fit.
PROFILE: Established in 1952, the Commerce Bancshares Foundation (CBF) is a corporate foundation based in Kansas City, Missouri. Jonathan M. Kemper is the president of the foundation, which also has several other directors and officers. Commerce Bancshares is a Missouri-based bank with approximately 340 locations in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma and Colorado. The company offers various financial services, including personal and business banking, wealth management, estate planning and investments. CBF funds local efforts for arts and culture, education, health, human services and civic affairs.
The Commerce Bancshares Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, past tax records indicate that CBF has a broad social responsibility agenda that involves building strong communities, investing in a sustainable future and supporting diverse perspectives. CBF makes program-related investments, such as its commitment to the Arch to Park Equity Fund that invests in real estate assets to revitalize St. Louis neighborhoods. Grants often funder food pantries, high schools, disease associations, emergency relief efforts, arts and education councils and arts organizations. CBF generally does not have tight restrictions on the types of organizations it funds.
Grants range between about $500 and $5,000. CBF has awarded over $1.6 million annually in grants in recent years. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking largely focuses on the Kansas City and St. Louis areas of Missouri; however, CBF also supports other areas where the bank has branches and does business. Past local grantees include the 4th Street Theater, Affton Christian Food Pantry and Affton School District.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. There are no specific application forms to compete, but grantseekers must provide documentation of their charitable status. There are no submission deadlines or limitations on awards. Submit application materials to CBF via mail and to the attention of the program director. Direct general questions to the staff at 816-234-1768 or 816-234-2577.
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