Missouri is home to national names such as the American Cancer Society and the Salvation Army, along with small family foundations run from a single street address. Our directory lists 173 charity and nonprofit offices across the state, from Kansas City and Jefferson City to Cape Girardeau and Hannibal. Missouri has no single charity office that you walk into. Several state and federal bodies each handle one piece of the picture: incorporation, fundraising, tax status and complaints. Knowing which body does what saves phone calls. It also helps you judge a group before you donate, volunteer or ask for help.

Which Agencies Oversee Charities and Nonprofits in Missouri

A Missouri nonprofit is first a legal entity, then possibly a tax-exempt charity, then possibly a registered fundraiser. Each step involves a different office. A group can clear one step without clearing the others, which is why a quick check pays off.

Incorporation: the Missouri Secretary of State

Most Missouri nonprofits are incorporated under the state's nonprofit corporation law, Chapter 355 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. The filing goes to the Secretary of State in Jefferson City. The office's online business search shows whether a group exists, when it was formed, who its registered agent is and whether it is in good standing. Search by name, and try the exact spelling used in our listing. A group shown as dissolved is a warning sign.

Fundraising: the Missouri Attorney General

Charities that ask the public for money fall under Missouri's charitable solicitation provisions in Chapter 407 of the Revised Statutes. The Attorney General's office administers them. In general, organizations that solicit donations in the state must register unless an exemption applies, and certain categories of organizations are exempt. The same office accepts complaints about misleading appeals and charities that do not use gifts as promised. If a caller pressures you to give on the spot, that alone is a reason to check first.

Tax status: the IRS and the Missouri Department of Revenue

Federal 501(c)(3) recognition comes from the Internal Revenue Service. It is what makes most gifts tax-deductible for donors. State tax treatment is a separate matter. A group generally has to apply to the Missouri Department of Revenue for sales and use tax exemption, because federal status does not settle it. If you need paperwork for your own tax return, ask the organization for its IRS determination letter.

Not every nonprofit is a charity in the donor-deduction sense. The Missouri Golf Association in Jefferson City and the Missouri Cattlemens Association in Columbia, both in our listings, are statewide membership groups. Trade and industry associations may fall under other parts of the tax code, so a payment to them may not be deductible. Ask which category applies before you write a check.

Kansas City, Jefferson City and Columbia: Where Missouri Listings Cluster

Nearly half of the Missouri listings sit in three metro areas. Kansas City leads by a wide margin (our database files it under the short name Kansas), followed by Jefferson City and Columbia.

The city of Kansas City reaches into four counties: Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass. The nonprofit map reflects that. First Hand Foundation, on Rock Creek Parkway, is in Clay County, north of the Missouri River. Jackson County holds the largest count in the state. It includes the Audubon Burroughs Society in Blue Springs, the Oregon California Trails Association in Independence and the Grandview Assistance Program in Grandview. South of the city, Belton in Cass County lists Womens Health Services, a DAV Donation Center and the West Central Mo Community Action Agency.

Because organizations cluster by county, searching by county is often faster than searching by city. The Jackson County page is the best starting point for the Kansas City side of the state.

Jefferson City, the state capital, sits in Cole County. Statewide associations often locate there to stay near the General Assembly and state agencies, and the Missouri Golf Association on Oil Well Road fits that pattern. The Cole County page shows all 18 entries.

Columbia, in Boone County, is home to the University of Missouri, and its nonprofits often touch student, health and agricultural needs. The Missouri Cattlemens Association is on Bluff Creek Drive, and the Missouri Rural Water Association is in nearby Ashland. Browse the Boone County listings to see all 15 together.

Greater St. Louis shows up differently. St. Louis County has seven listings here, including Friends of the St Louis University Liver Center in Chesterfield, the Biblos Foundation in Ballwin and The Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation in Bridgeton. Saint Charles County adds the Salvation Army in St. Charles and the Disabled Athlete Sports Association in St. Peters. Many of these are small foundations built around one cause, so call or email before visiting rather than assuming walk-in hours. The City of St. Louis is independent of any county, so search both when you are looking for a group.

Charities in the Ozarks, the Bootheel and Small-Town Missouri

Outside the big metros, one office often serves several counties, and the drive can be long. Plan around that.

Springfield, in Greene County, is the regional hub for southwest Missouri. The American Cancer Society office on South Kings Avenue is one of its ten listings, and the full set is on the Greene County page. Further west, Joplin and Carthage in Jasper County list the Freeman Foundation and the Carthage Community Foundation. Community foundations usually raise endowments and give grants to local nonprofits rather than serve clients directly. If you need help rather than funding, ask them to point you to a service provider.

Branson, in Taney County, lists the Southwest Center for Independent Living. Independent living centers are nonprofits that help people with disabilities live in their own homes and communities. Hannibal, in Marion County, lists The Child Center. In the southeast, Cape Girardeau has Caruthers Street Charities, Bonne Terre has the Erln Elckmeier Foundation and Bourbon has the Averi Budde Foundation. Caruthersville Nursing Center serves the Bootheel in Pemiscot County.

For basic needs in rural areas, two routes work well. Missouri has a statewide network of community action agencies, which typically run programs such as energy assistance and weatherization. Program availability and eligibility rules vary by region, so confirm by phone. You can also dial 211, the United Way referral line, which connects callers to food, housing and utility help.

Checking a Missouri Charity and Making Your First Contact

A few free checks take about fifteen minutes and cover most of the risk:

If you are seeking help, bring a photo ID, proof of your Missouri address and any income or bill documents the program asks for. Requirements differ by program, so ask when you call. If you are donating goods, ask what items are accepted and when drop-off is open. Keep a receipt for anything you plan to claim on your taxes.

Nonprofit organizations operating in Missouri must register with the state attorney general's charitable trust section and comply with state solicitation licensing requirements in addition to meeting federal IRS requirements for tax-exempt status. Missouri's charity registration process helps protect residents from fraudulent fundraising operations.

Charity Nonprofit locations are available in 51 cities across Missouri. They are spread across 34 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Kansas, Jefferson, Columbia, which typically host large concentrations of nonprofits serving regional populations across health, human services, education, and arts sectors.

Donors in Missouri can verify that a charity is properly registered with the state by contacting the Missouri Attorney General's office or searching the state's online charity registration database before making a contribution.

Charity Nonprofit by Counties

A
B
C
F
G
H
J
L
M
P
S
T
V
W

Nonprofits seeking grant funding in Missouri should explore state-level grant programs administered through the Missouri Department of Health, Department of Education, or community services block grant programs. Many Missouri foundations also fund local nonprofits through competitive grant cycles that typically open annually.

Browse Charity Nonprofit by county across Missouri to find the nearest location.

Matching Your Need to the Right Missouri Listing

The Missouri listings fall into a few practical types, and knowing the type tells you what to expect. Direct-service groups, such as the Salvation Army in St. Charles or The Child Center in Hannibal, work with clients and are the right call if you need help. Grantmakers, such as the Carthage Community Foundation or the Freeman Foundation in Joplin, fund other organizations and may refer you elsewhere. Single-cause funds, such as the Mark Reynolds Memorial Bike Fund in St. Joseph, usually have a narrow purpose. Membership groups, such as the Missouri Rural Water Association in Ashland, serve their own industry or members.

County pages help narrow the search further. Saint Charles County has six listings on the western edge of the St. Louis area. Cass County covers Belton and the southern Kansas City suburbs. Phone numbers are a quick guide to location, since area code 816 points to the Kansas City and St. Joseph area, while 314 and 636 point to greater St. Louis, 573 to central and eastern Missouri and 417 to the southwest.

Missouri Charity and Nonprofit Questions Answered

Start with three free checks. Search the Missouri Secretary of State's business records to confirm the organization is a nonprofit in good standing. Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm 501(c)(3) status. Then ask the Missouri Attorney General's office whether the group is registered to solicit or claims an exemption. If a Form 990 is available, compare program spending with fundraising costs. Be cautious about names that closely resemble well-known charities, and never pay by gift card or wire transfer to a caller you cannot verify.

In general, yes. Missouri's charitable solicitation provisions in Chapter 407 of the Revised Statutes call for organizations that solicit contributions from the public to register with the Attorney General, although certain categories are exempt. Exemptions depend on the type of group and how it raises money, so the answer for one organization can differ from another. If you run a small group and are unsure, contact the Attorney General's office before launching a campaign. As a donor, you can ask any group whether it is registered or which exemption it relies on. A legitimate charity can answer clearly.

Begin by filing articles of incorporation for a nonprofit corporation with the Missouri Secretary of State under Chapter 355. Next, adopt bylaws, seat a board and obtain an employer identification number from the IRS. To offer tax-deductible giving, apply to the IRS for 501(c)(3) recognition. Then check separately with the Missouri Department of Revenue about state tax exemptions and with the Attorney General about solicitation registration. Fees and forms change, so confirm current amounts on each agency's website. The Missouri Nonprofit Association and local nonprofit support centers also offer training for new boards.

Start with the community action agency for your county. In Cass County, the West Central Mo Community Action Agency in Belton is listed at 816-318-3922. Community action agencies typically manage programs such as energy assistance, but the programs offered and the eligibility rules vary, so call first and ask what documents to bring. Dialing 211 reaches a referral line for food, housing and other services. The Grandview Assistance Program in Jackson County, listed at 816-761-1919, is another local contact. Confirm what each group offers before you make the trip.

No. Deductibility depends on the organization's IRS classification, not on appearing in a directory. Charities with 501(c)(3) status generally qualify, while trade associations, social clubs and advocacy groups often do not. Statewide membership groups such as the Missouri Golf Association or the Missouri Cattlemens Association may be classified differently from a foundation or a service provider. Ask for the group's IRS determination letter, or look it up in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Keep receipts, and for larger gifts, request written acknowledgment. A tax professional can advise on your own situation.

Yes. In Kansas City, St. Louis and Columbia, you can often choose among several organizations working on the same cause, and many keep regular staffed hours. In the Bootheel and the Ozarks, one office may serve several counties, hours can be limited, and you may need to call ahead or travel. Listings such as Caruthersville Nursing Center in Pemiscot County and the Averi Budde Foundation in Bourbon show how spread out smaller organizations are. Confirm the address and phone number first, and ask whether they offer services by phone or mail.