Bass Pro Shops – Missouri Ozarks Community Donations (Rolling Applications)

Corporate Grants and Event Sponsorships Supporting Nonprofits in Springfield, Branson, and the Missouri Ozarks

Bass Pro Shops provides charitable contributions and event sponsorships to eligible nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and public institutions serving Springfield, Branson, and surrounding communities in the Missouri Ozarks.

The Missouri Ozarks Community Donations Program reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening the region where Bass Pro Shops was founded and maintains its headquarters.

Unlike Bass Pro Shops’ national merchandise donation program, this opportunity considers requests for local nonprofit program support and event sponsorships. Organizations may request funding in any amount, although partial funding may be awarded.

Applications are accepted year-round.

Application Timeline: Rolling / Ongoing

Organization: Bass Pro Shops
Support Type: Corporate charitable contributions and event sponsorships
Geographic Focus: Springfield, Branson, and surrounding Missouri Ozarks communities
Funding Amount: No published minimum or maximum

About the Funder

Bass Pro Shops is a major North American outdoor retail company founded by Johnny Morris in Springfield, Missouri, in 1972.

The company operates Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s retail stores and supports conservation, outdoor recreation, and community initiatives throughout North America.

Springfield and the surrounding Missouri Ozarks region have a special significance to Bass Pro Shops as the company’s founding community and corporate home.

Through its Missouri Ozarks Community Donations Program, Bass Pro Shops provides charitable support to local organizations and events that strengthen communities throughout the region.

The program is separate from the company’s national conservation grants and in-kind fundraising merchandise donation opportunities.

What This Program Supports

Bass Pro Shops describes this program as supporting local nonprofit organizations through event sponsorships and program funding.

The company does not publish a restrictive list of program categories for Missouri Ozarks Community Donations.

However, its broader community investment priorities include conservation, outdoor access, military and veterans, and strengthening communities in the Missouri Ozarks.

Community Development & Local Nonprofit Programs

The program considers requests supporting local nonprofit programs that benefit Springfield, Branson, and surrounding Missouri Ozarks communities.

Potential activities may include:

• Community improvement initiatives
• Programs addressing local needs
• Nonprofit community services
• Youth and family programs
• Initiatives strengthening community wellbeing

Applicants should clearly describe the community benefit and explain how the proposed program serves residents of the Missouri Ozarks.

Community Events & Sponsorships

Bass Pro Shops considers sponsorship requests for qualifying local events.

Potential activities may include:

• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Community celebrations
• Educational events
• Local charitable activities
• Events benefiting regional nonprofit organizations

Event sponsorship requests should describe the event’s purpose, audience, location, and anticipated community impact.

Conservation & Outdoor Recreation

Bass Pro Shops’ broader charitable priorities include protecting wildlife and habitat and introducing new audiences to outdoor recreation.

Local programs addressing these priorities may be particularly well aligned with the company’s mission.

Potential initiatives include:

• Conservation education
• Wildlife and habitat stewardship
• Youth outdoor recreation
• Community outdoor access
• Outdoor educational activities

Military & Veterans

Bass Pro Shops also identifies military and veteran support as a broader charitable priority.

Organizations serving veterans, military personnel, or military families in the Missouri Ozarks may find alignment with the company’s community interests.

Eligible Support Types

The Missouri Ozarks Community Donations Program considers:

• Local nonprofit program support
• Event sponsorships
• Charitable contributions to qualifying organizations
• Community-based projects and activities

The company does not publish a standard list of eligible project expenses.

Applicants should explain the requested support and its intended use.

Eligibility & Preferences

Eligible U.S. applicants include:

• Municipalities
• Public institutions
• Organizations recognized by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3)
• Organizations with another qualifying IRS 501(c) determination

Applicants must serve Springfield, Branson, or surrounding Missouri Ozarks communities.

Geographic Eligibility – Missouri Ozarks

The program is specifically intended for local organizations in the Missouri Ozarks.

Bass Pro Shops identifies the following communities:

The company does not publish an exhaustive list of eligible counties, municipalities, or geographic boundaries.

Organizations serving nearby communities in southwest Missouri should review the application and determine whether their activities fall within the intended regional focus.

Important: This is not a statewide Missouri grant program. Its primary purpose is to support local Springfield, Branson, and surrounding Missouri Ozarks organizations.

Organizations outside this region should review Bass Pro Shops’ other charitable giving opportunities.

Ineligible Requests

Bass Pro Shops does not publish a detailed list of exclusions specifically for the Missouri Ozarks Community Donations Program.

However, applicants must meet the stated organizational and geographic eligibility requirements.

Requests from organizations outside the Missouri Ozarks region may be more appropriate for the company’s national giving programs.

Organizations should also distinguish this opportunity from:

• Fundraising Events and Giveaway Donations, which provides merchandise and gift cards
• Outdoor Fund Local Impact Grants, which supports specific conservation and outdoor access projects
• Outdoor Fund National Partnerships, which are invitation-only

Each program has separate eligibility and funding guidelines.

Funding Amounts

Funding Amount: All request amounts considered

Bass Pro Shops does not publish a minimum or maximum request amount for Missouri Ozarks Community Donations.

The company states that partial funding may be awarded.

Applicants should request an amount appropriate to the scope of their program or event and provide a clear explanation of how the funds will be used.

No standard award size or annual funding limit is published.

Timeline & Review

📅 Application Timeline: Rolling / Ongoing

📅 Application Deadline: No fixed deadline published

📅 Recommended Lead Time: Allow 60–90 days for review

📅 Review Period: Applicants should plan for 60–90 days

Bass Pro Shops accepts applications throughout the year.

The company’s general charitable giving guidance advises applicants to allow 60–90 days for requests to be reviewed.

Organizations planning events or projects with fixed dates should submit applications well in advance.

Application / Request Process

Applications are submitted through the Bass Pro Shops online Benevity grant application.

Step 1: Confirm Organizational Eligibility

Verify that the applicant is a qualifying nonprofit organization, municipality, or public institution.

Step 2: Confirm Geographic Eligibility

Determine whether the organization or proposed activity serves Springfield, Branson, or surrounding Missouri Ozarks communities.

Step 3: Prepare the Funding Request

Applicants should be ready to describe:

• Organization name and mission
• Organizational eligibility
• Community served
• Proposed program or event
• Funding amount requested
• Intended use of funds
• Expected community benefit
• Project or event timeline

Step 4: Submit the Online Application

Complete the Missouri Ozarks Community Donations application through Benevity.

The portal allows applicants to begin a new application and return to an existing application.

Applicants working on an unfinished application should save the application link so they can return to it later.

Step 5: Allow Time for Review

Submit the request sufficiently early to accommodate the company’s general 60–90-day review guidance.

Apply / Learn More: https://forms.benevity.org/e3f24be9-7479-466a-8959-af9665303e94

Official Program Guidelines: https://about.basspro.com/community/support/

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is particularly well suited for organizations that:

• Serve Springfield, Branson, or surrounding Missouri Ozarks communities
• Hold qualifying nonprofit or public institution status
• Need financial support for local nonprofit programs
• Are planning a charitable or community event
• Can demonstrate meaningful local community benefit
• Seek event sponsorship rather than donated merchandise
• Have programs aligned with Bass Pro Shops’ broader community priorities

The program offers a locally focused charitable giving opportunity for organizations serving the region where Bass Pro Shops was founded.

Its flexible request amounts and support for both programs and events make it relevant to a range of community-based organizations.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong geographic connection to the Missouri Ozarks and clearly explain how the proposed funding will benefit local residents.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Rolling / Ongoing
Funding Amount: No published minimum or maximum; partial awards possible
Recommended Lead Time: 60–90 days
Geographic Focus: Springfield, Branson, and surrounding Missouri Ozarks communities
Eligible Applicants: Qualifying nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and public institutions
Support Types: Nonprofit program support and event sponsorships
Best Suited For: Local Missouri Ozarks nonprofits and public institutions seeking funding for community programs or charitable events