Marion County Endowment Fund awards $16,500 in 12th annual community grants
Published 4:46 pm Wednesday, September 2, 2026
PALMYRA — The Marion County Endowment Fund Council recently marked its 12th year of grantmaking through the Community Foundation’s Community Grant program, awarding $16,500 to local nonprofit organizations.
The funding, drawn from the Marion County Endowment Fund, was further supplemented by other grantmaking sources through the Community Foundation, bringing total support to more than $53,000. During a celebration marking the milestone, council members and local nonprofits highlighted the role of local philanthropy in strengthening the community.
This year’s grant recipients include Embrace Children and Families for general support, the CHART Teen Task Force for sexuality education programming in northeast Missouri schools, Harvest Outreach Ministries for general support, and Main Street Palmyra for its Patio at Flower City project.
“Every grant we award traces back to a donor who believed Marion County’s future was worth investing in,” said Lydia Ahrens, chair of the Marion County Fund Council. “Each year, that belief translates into grant support to nonprofits doing essential work in our community.”
The Marion County Health Department also received a 2026 Community Grant, funded in part by the HomeBank Fund, which is advised by the Marion County Endowment Fund Council.
The Community Foundation’s Community Grant program provides financial support to nonprofit projects and operations across a 12-county service area through an annual application process. This year, including grants from county endowments, 92 regional nonprofits received a combined $370,286.28 in grant awards.
The Marion County Endowment Fund is a permanent charitable fund dedicated to supporting local nonprofit organizations focused on children, families, and community betterment. Since 2015, the fund has awarded more than $40,000 in grants to 22 nonprofits. Led by a local advisory council, the fund provides annual grants in the areas of arts and education, health and human services, and community betterment.
More information about the Marion County Endowment Fund is available through the Community Foundation at (217) 222-1237 or outreach@mycommunityfoundation.org.