Closed — 2026 Karen Jean Rudek Fund animal shelter and rescue grant application period ended October 29, 2026. No cutoff hour was published.
Missouri — 2026 Karen Jean Rudek Animal Shelter and Rescue Grants (Up to $10,000)
Closed October 29, 2026. Missouri Karen Jean Rudek Fund grants of up to $10,000 supported eligible horse and dog shelters, sanctuaries and rescues in Camden, Miller and Morgan counties.
FundingUp to $10,000 per eligible animal shelter/rescue/sanctuary applicant. Total program pool, universal match, and reimbursement conditions not published on funder's public program page.
DeadlineOctober 29, 2026. The official funder page states the date but no precise closing hour or time zone.
Last verified2026-10-30
Required next actionApplications for the 2026 Karen Jean Rudek Fund cycle are closed. Eligible horse and dog shelters, rescue organizations and sanctuaries serving Camden, Miller or Morgan counties should monitor the Community Foundation of the Ozarks for any future grant round. Previously submitted applicants may check their original application portal for decisions.
Broad Eligibility
Actual horse or dog shelters, sanctuaries or rescue facilities with qualifying 501(c)(3) or other IRS-approved public-benefit status, serving Camden, Miller or Morgan County, Missouri. Preference for Lake of the Ozarks-located organizations; generic charities without eligible animal rescue/shelter operations are ineligible.
Atlas Analysis
The 2026 Karen Jean Rudek Fund provides grants of up to $10,000 to qualifying horse or dog shelters, sanctuaries and rescue facilities serving Camden, Miller and Morgan counties in Missouri, with preference for locally based organizations near Lake of the Ozarks. The public funder listing does not state a binding program-wide pool, match requirement or complete expense list; applicants must confirm eligible costs in the portal. Applications are due October 29, 2026, with no published closing hour.
The Community Foundation of the Lake, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, accepted applications to the 2026 Karen Jean Rudek Fund Grant Program, which closed October 29, 2026. This charitable grant supports organizations operating horse or dog shelters, sanctuaries and rescue facilities in the Lake of the Ozarks region of Missouri. It is funding for eligible applicants, not procurement or direct assistance to individual pet owners.
Individual applicant grant: A qualifying applicant may request up to $10,000 for this funding cycle. The official public announcement does not identify the overall program pool, a matching-fund requirement or standard reimbursement terms; additional expense and grant-agreement restrictions must be confirmed in the application.
Eligibility: Applicants must be actual horse and/or dog shelters, sanctuaries or rescue facilities, and must have IRS 501(c)(3) public-charity status or otherwise qualify as an IRS-approved entity, including appropriate local governmental, school or faith-based organizations when they operate an eligible facility. Eligible service counties are Camden, Miller and Morgan in Missouri; the funder expressly prefers organizations located in the Lake of the Ozarks area. General nonprofits without a horse/dog shelter, sanctuary or rescue operation do not satisfy the program-specific mission requirement.
Allowable purpose and restrictions: Applications should describe direct horse or dog sheltering, sanctuary, or rescue activities that benefit the specified area. The public page does not enumerate every allowable cost, so expenses for buildings, equipment, personnel or veterinary care must not be assumed eligible without checking the full funder application and award terms.
Deadline and application: October 29, 2026; no exact closing hour or time zone is published on the official grant page. The 2026 application window is closed. Monitor the foundation’s grant portal instructions for a subsequent competition; applicants who already submitted should consult the funder for decisions.
Official funder source: Community Foundation of the Ozarks: Karen Jean Rudek Fund Grant Program; rechecked October 30, 2026.
Source verificationReferenced source · www.cfozarks.orgAtlas last verified this record 2026-10-30. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
