Hermann Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,042,019 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 2-5 months
• Grant Range: Average $46,410
• Geographic Focus: Greater St. Louis region (Missouri), with some support beyond

Contact Details

Website: https://www.hermcap.com/foundation

Phone: 314-863-9200

Email: info@hermcap.com

Address: 7701 Forsyth Boulevard, Suite 1000, St. Louis, MO 63105

Overview

The Hermann Family Foundation was established in 1992 as a private family foundation in St. Louis, Missouri. With total assets exceeding $48 million, the foundation distributed approximately $2 million in grants across 44 awards in 2024. The foundation seeks to improve individuals' physical, mental, and spiritual well-being across generations, supporting nonprofit organizations creating systemic impacts on education, healthcare, the environment, and communities. The foundation reflects the Hermann family's deep commitment to St. Louis civic institutions, particularly botanical gardens, wildlife conservation, recreation, and youth development. The late Robert R. Hermann, Sr. (1923-2020), known as "Mr. St. Louis," was an influential businessman, philanthropist, and soccer pioneer who founded Hermann Companies Inc. and established numerous St. Louis institutions including Fair St. Louis.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Annual Grant Cycle: Applications accepted September 1 - April 30
• Average grant size: $46,410 based on 2024 distributions
• Total of 44 grants awarded in 2024

Priority Areas

• Education: K-12 programs, youth development initiatives, educational institutions serving Greater St. Louis
• Healthcare: Behavioral health services for children and families, pediatric healthcare, preventive and transgenerational health approaches
• Environment: Botanical gardens, wildlife conservation, environmental education and preservation
• Recreation & Community Development: Recreational facilities and programs, arts and cultural institutions, community improvement initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation likely does not fund:

• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• Individual scholarships or direct-to-individual grants
• Political campaigns or lobbying activities
• For-profit enterprises

Governance and Leadership

Board Members (all volunteer, no compensation):

• Signa Hermann - Board Member (widow of Bob Hermann)
• Robert R. Hermann Jr. - Board Member (involved with Grant's Farm, Missouri Botanical Garden Board)
• Elizabeth Hermann Petersen - Board Member
• Robert Hermann III - Board Member
• Merrill Hermann - Board Member

Staff:

• Heather Damalas - Secretary/Treasurer

The late Bob Hermann stated regarding the family's philanthropic approach: "There is a great need historically for a center of this magnitude here in St. Louis" when establishing the Hermann Center for Child and Family Development with a $15 million gift.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the foundation's website at hermcap.com/foundation during the annual grant cycle window from September 1 through April 30. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits, with emphasis given to organizations based in the Greater St. Louis region.

Decision Timeline

• Application Period: September 1 - April 30
• Review Period: May - August
• Notification: June 1 - August 31
• Total decision time: Approximately 2-5 months from application deadline

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation awarded 44 grants totaling approximately $2 million in 2024.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not detailed in public materials. Organizations should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication timelines.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's history and priorities:

• Strong St. Louis Connection: Demonstrate clear ties to and impact on the Greater St. Louis community
• Systemic Impact Focus: Articulate how the project creates lasting, systemic change rather than temporary services
• Transgenerational Approach: Frame work in terms of multi-generational impact and improving well-being "across generations"
• Alignment with Hermann Legacy: Organizations connected to institutions the family has historically supported (botanical gardens, children's hospitals, arts institutions) may find strong alignment
• Evidence-Based Prevention: Value proactive, preventive approaches over reactive services
• Comprehensive Family Engagement: Applications demonstrating family-centered or holistic approaches resonate with the foundation's philosophy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply during the annual cycle window of September 1 - April 30; earlier submission may mean earlier notification
• Average grant is $46,410 - consider requesting amounts in the $25,000-$75,000 range for typical projects
• Emphasize Greater St. Louis impact even if your organization operates more broadly
• Demonstrate how your work creates systemic transformation, not just service delivery
• Consider alignment with Hermann family legacy institutions (botanical gardens, zoos, children's hospitals, arts)
• Frame proposals in terms of transgenerational impact and long-term community benefit
• Plan for 2-5 month decision timeline when scheduling project implementation

References

• Hermann Capital Management - Hermann Family Foundation. https://www.hermcap.com/foundation. Accessed March 2, 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Hermann Family Foundation Forms 990. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/431616989. Accessed March 2, 2026.
• Cause IQ - Hermann Family Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/hermann-family-foundation,431616989/. Accessed March 2, 2026.
• St. Louis Children's Hospital - "Hermann Family Gift to Improve Behavioral Health of Children." Press Release. 2022.
• St. Louis Post-Dispatch - "'Mr. St. Louis' — businessman, philanthropist and soccer-team owner Bob Hermann dead at 97." October 2020.
• Foundation Directory (Candid) - Hermann Family Foundation Profile. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/. Accessed March 2, 2026.
• Washington University Medicine - "Gift to help SLCH, WashU develop care model to improve kids' behavioral health." 2022.