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ST. LOUIS,MO -- Eleven northeast Missouri nonprofits have received a total of more than $1.8 million in grants from Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH).  Grant funding supports nonprofit organizations that work to improve the health of thousands of Missourians. 

The local grants are part of a $7.6 million round of funding recently approved by MFH’s Board of Directors.  Click on an organization’s highlighted name to be directed to its website.

Nine of the grants come through MFH’s Basic Support program.  Basic Support funds operational expenses for health-related nonprofits’ existing salaries, benefits, equipment and supplies.  Organizations marked with an asterisk (*) are first-time Basic Support grant recipients.  Two-year grants were awarded to:

CHART Teen Task Force, Hannibal, $13,700.  The northeast Missouri organization is using funding to continue providing prevention education about teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Clark County Council on Aging Inc., Kahoka, $55,300.  Funding helps the northeast Missouri council provide nutritious meals, wellness classes and health screenings for low-income seniors.

Hannibal Nutrition Center and Senior Services, Hannibal, $75,000.  The northeast Missouri organization is using funding to provide meals, nutrition counseling and exercise programs for older adults.

LifeLine Pregnancy Help Center, Kirksville, $75,000.  The northeast Missouri organization is using funds to provide testing, education, supplies and related services to low-income residents facing crisis pregnancies.

NEMO Senior Citizens Services Inc., Kirksville, $75,000.  The northeast Missouri organization is using funding to provide meals, nutrition services and personal care assistance for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.  

Pike Pioneer Nutrition Center, Louisiana, $75,000.  Funding helps the northeast Missouri
Missouri Foundation for Health Grants Assist Organizations with Health-Focused Programs
Add One center offer meals and nutrition services for seniors and people with disabilities.

* Schuyler County Council on Aging, Lancaster, $75,000.  With funding, the northern Missouri organization offers meals and nutrition services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
Senior Citizens Community Center Inc., Paris, $75,000.  The northeast Missouri center is using funds to provide meals, recreation, education and counseling programs for seniors and people with disabilities.

* YMCA of Hannibal, $75,000.  Funding helps the northeast Missouri organization offer healthy living, nutrition and fitness programs.

MFH’s Health Care Workforce Development funding program supports projects that increase the number of health care practitioners in underserved areas; encourage youth to consider health careers; and increase health professional schools’ enrollment and graduation capacity. MFH awarded a one-year grant to: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Kirksville, $1,000,000.  Funding helps support the development and launch phases of the university’s new dental school.

One organization was approved for a second year of funding through the Social Innovation for Missouri (SIM) program, which pairs MFH funds with federal Social Innovation Fund grant dollars and local match funds.  SIM helps nonprofits jointly address obesity and tobacco use, Missouri’s leading causes of preventable illness and premature death, especially among low-income populations.  Second-year SIM funding was awarded to: Knox County Community Center Inc., Edina, $211,813.  The northeast Missouri organization is using funding to construct a community center, increase workplace wellness policies, increase access to healthy foods, and provide smoking prevention and cessation programs for residents of five counties. 

Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) is an independent philanthropic foundation dedicated to empowering Missourians to achieve equal access to quality health services.  MFH provides grant funding and education, and fosters community partnerships to promote health improvement, especially for the uninsured and underserved.  Since its founding in 2000, MFH has provided more than $450 million in grants and awards to organizations in 84 Missouri counties and the City of St. Louis.