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About the Foundation

Children ReadingThe Stanley & Elaine Ball Foundation was formed by businessman Stanley Ball, who had a genuine love and passion for the communities in which he lived. Throughout his life he served on the boards of numerous charitable organizations and recognized that there were many people in the area who truly wanted better lives but simply didn’t have the resources necessary to improve their situations. As a result, he wanted to do his part to create communities that help people to be successful and happy. He also felt strongly about education and helping children.

After Stanley’s beloved wife, Elaine, passed in 2005, it was important to him to do what Elaine would have wanted. For that reason, Stanley established the Stanley and Elaine Ball Charitable Foundation with a substantial part of his estate. For many years to come, the foundation will accomplish the couple’s goals of helping those less fortunate and improving the communities they loved. Unfortunately, Stanley passed away in early 2015. However, his legacy will live on through his foundation and the gifts it has and will continue to bestow to deserving organizations.

Central Trust Company is proud to be a part of and manage the Stanley & Elaine Ball Foundation and to play a small role in helping fulfill their dream of making our community a better place.

Organizations Supported

The following local, non-profit organizations have received assistance from the Stanley & Elaine Ball Foundation since its inception.

  • Abundant Blessings
  • Arc of the Ozarks
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks
  • Boy Scouts of America
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ozarks
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield
  • Branson R-IV Education Foundation
  • Branson R-IV School District
  • Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks
  • Bridges for Youth
  • Bridge of Faith Community Church
  • CASA
  • Cents of Pride
  • Child Advocacy Center, Inc.
  • Children’s Miracle Network at CoxHealth
  • Children’s Smile Center
  • Christian County Library
  • Community Foundation of the Ozarks – Northwest Project
  • Community Partnership of the Ozarks
  • Convoy of Hope
  • Council of Churches of the Ozarks
  • Council of Churches Foundation
  • CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri
  • Cox Healthcare Foundation
  • The Discovery Center
  • Diaper Bank of the Ozarks
  • Dogwood Ranch Corporation
  • Drury University
  • Equi-Librium Therapy Center
  • For the Kids
  • Foster Adopt Connect
  • Foundation for Springfield Public Schools
  • Friends of Abilities First
  • Gift of Hope
  • Good Samaritan Boys Ranch
  • Great Circle
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Harmony House
  • History Museum on the Square
  • I Pour Life
  • Isabel’s House Crisis Nursery
  • Junior Achievement
  • Kimberling Area Library
  • Lutheran Family & Children’s Services of Missouri
  • The Kitchen, Inc.
  • Kiwanis Foundation of Springfield South
  • Least of These
  • Life360 Community Services
  • Lost & Found
  • Missouri State University Foundation
  • Newborns in Need
  • Nixa Public Schools
  • OACAC – Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation
  • Ozarks Food Harvest
  • Ozarks Literacy Council
  • Ozarks Teen Challenge
  • The Rebound Foundation
  • Ronald McDonald House
  • SI of Springfield
  • Skaggs Foundation
  • Springfield – Green County Library
  • Springfield Symphony Orchestra
  • Springfield Workshop
  • Southern Stone County Food Pantry
  • Taneyhills Community Library
  • Taneyhills Library Club
  • The Victim Center
  • Wish I May
  • Women in Need

To date, the
Ball Foundation
has granted
$3.4 million
to Ozarks Charities.

2024 Grant Season – Open May 1, 2024 through July 31, 2024.

Thanks for your interest in the Stanley and Elaine Ball Foundation. You may submit your application for the 2023 season online by clicking the button below or by mailing in your submissions. Please see the application guidelines below for further instructions.

Grant Application Guidelines

The Stanley and Elaine Ball Foundation was formed to assist charitable organizations in Greene, Christian, Stone and Taney Counties. Grants will be awarded exclusively for charitable uses and purposes, and the Ball Foundation’s primary focus is to enhance educational opportunities and/or provide support for disadvantaged children.

Organizations applying for a grant must be tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and provide their IRS Determination Letter.

Submitting Your Application

You may submit your application and supporting documentation through our website.

If you are not able to submit an application online, you may still submit your application to:

The Ball Foundation
c/o CENTRAL TRUST COMPANY
3333 S. NATIONAL AVE., 3rd FLOOR
SPRINGFIELD, MO  65807
(417) 883-3838

Applications are due by Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.  If submitted by U.S. Mail or overnight delivery (such as UPS or FedEx), the application should be clearly postmarked by July 31, 2024.

Application Documentation

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS: If you are submitting your application online, you do NOT need to submit hard copies. However, if you are mailing your application, please follow the guidelines below.

HARD COPY SUBMISSIONS: Please provide one bound copy of your complete application. Your application should be spiral bound, including a clear cover, with your application followed by the list of supporting documents.  The application documents should be divided with marked tabs for each section.  Most office stores including Office Depot, Staples, FedEx Office, and the UPS Store can bind your final application materials.

Applications that do not comply with the application guidelines and instructions may not be considered.

Award Notification

Notification of grant award status will be mailed by early November, 2024. Notifications will be mailed regardless of whether you receive an award or not.