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Boniface Foundation

Annual Giving
$13.2M
Grant Range
$10K - $18.0M

Boniface Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $13.2 million (2023); $14.5 million (2022)
  • Total Assets: $305.3 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $18,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: St. Louis City and St. Louis County, Missouri
  • Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

  • Website: bonifacefdn.org
  • Address: 10405 Baur Blvd, Suite G, St. Louis, MO 63132
  • EIN: 43-1841204

Overview

The Boniface Foundation is a private foundation established in 1999, originally as a supporting organization of St. Anthony's Medical Center. The foundation's name honors the legacy of the Franciscan Sisters of Germany, who provided medical care to the St. Louis community beginning with St. Boniface Hospital in 1873. When St. Anthony's Medical Center affiliated with Mercy Health in June 2017, the foundation became an independent private foundation and adopted its current name.

With assets exceeding $305 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $13 million, Boniface Foundation is one of the larger private foundations in the St. Louis region. The foundation is a member of Philanthropy Missouri, the regional association of grantmakers. Its mission is to "provide support for charitable and educational activities that promote individual and community health and well-being in St. Louis counties and city," with a vision of "a community where every person takes ownership of a healthy lifestyle resulting in improved health outcomes."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Healthcare Capital Grants The foundation provides significant capital funding for healthcare infrastructure, particularly at Mercy Hospital South:

  • David M. Sindelar Cancer Center: $15 million for the construction of a 70,000-square-foot comprehensive cancer care center, opened August 2020
  • Labor and Delivery Renovation: $18 million for state-of-the-art LDRP suites and a new OB/GYN clinic at Mercy Hospital South, completed 2021

Community Health & Behavioral Health Grants

  • Grants ranging from $50,000 - $100,000+ for mental health initiatives, counseling services, and wellbeing programs
  • Example: $100,000 to Saint Louis University for student mental health initiatives (2022)

Education & Scholarship Programs

  • Boniface Scholars Fund: Renewable scholarships up to $10,000 for students from partner schools
  • Graduate Support Program: Comprehensive support services for students transitioning to higher education
  • Partner organizations include: Loyola Academy, Marian Middle School, St. Cecilia, St. Louis Catholic Academy, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Access Academies, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Ready Readers, Quest, The Little Bit Foundation

Priority Areas

  • Healthcare Infrastructure: Major capital projects supporting Mercy Hospital South
  • Behavioral Health: Mental health services, counseling, suicide prevention
  • Education: Breaking the cycle of poverty through educational support for underserved students
  • Community Well-being: Programs promoting healthy lifestyles and improved health outcomes
  • Graduate Support: Wrap-around services addressing academic, social, financial, and emotional needs

What They Don't Fund

Based on the foundation's stated mission and focus, they do not appear to fund:

  • Organizations outside St. Louis City and St. Louis County
  • Projects unrelated to health, education, or community well-being
  • General operating support (focus appears to be on specific programs and capital projects)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Winthrop B. Reed III - President & Board Chairman (volunteer, no compensation)
    • Attorney and management committee member at Lewis Rice LLC
    • Board Chair of Mercy Hospital South; 2019 Missouri Hospital Association Trustee of the Year
    • Also chairs St. Louis Zoological Park Subdistrict Commission
  • Daniel F. Bippen - Secretary (volunteer, no compensation)
  • James G. Powers - Treasurer (volunteer, no compensation)

Staff

  • Kelly Wetzler - Executive Director (compensation: $419,442 plus $59,091 other)
  • Laura Burian - Associate (compensation: $93,721 plus $25,116 other)

Leadership Quotes

Win Reed, Board Chair, on their grant to Mercy Hospital South's labor and delivery renovation:

"We were aware that Mercy Hospital South was committed to making improvements in the mother/baby service, and Boniface Foundation is delighted to step up with the necessary funding to create the new space. Our hope is that moms, babies, and families will find the new space to be inviting and comforting."

Win Reed on their mental health grant to Saint Louis University:

"We believe these efforts will have a substantial effect on the well-being and success of its students."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Boniface Foundation operates as a private foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion rather than competitive application processes. There is no open grant application portal or published grant guidelines available on their website.

The foundation's giving appears to be strategic and relationship-based, with grants typically made to:

  • Mercy Hospital South and related healthcare initiatives (reflecting historical ties to St. Anthony's Medical Center)
  • Educational partners in their Graduate Support Program network
  • Organizations addressing health and wellbeing in St. Louis City and County

Getting on Their Radar

The Boniface Foundation has specific pathways for engagement based on their documented priorities:

  1. Mercy Hospital South Connection: Organizations working with or supporting Mercy Hospital South may have opportunities through the established relationship between the foundation and the hospital system.

  2. Graduate Support Program Partners: The foundation works with a defined network of partner schools and organizations including Loyola Academy, Marian Middle School, St. Cecilia, St. Louis Catholic Academy, Access Academies, Boys Hope Girls Hope, The Little Bit Foundation, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Quest, Ready Readers, and Saint Louis University.

  3. St. Louis Community Foundation: The Boniface Foundation administers its Boniface Scholars Fund through Scholarship Central, managed by the St. Louis Community Foundation. Organizations may contact the St. Louis Community Foundation at grants@stlgives.org to learn about partner funder priorities.

  4. Philanthropy Missouri Engagement: As a member of Philanthropy Missouri, foundation leadership may be accessible through regional philanthropic events and networks.

  5. Board Connections: Win Reed serves on multiple St. Louis civic boards including the St. Louis Zoo Commission and Opera Theatre of St. Louis, suggesting the foundation values deep community engagement.

Scholarship Applications

The Boniface Scholars Fund does have a structured application process through Scholarship Central:

  • Eligibility: High school seniors from partner schools (Loyola Academy, Marian Middle School, St. Cecilia, St. Louis Catholic Academy) or Boys Hope Girls Hope residential scholars
  • Award: Up to $10,000, renewable for up to three additional years
  • Requirements: 2.5 GPA minimum, full-time enrollment, demonstrated financial need
  • Contact: Ellen Vietor, Scholarship Manager at scholarships@stlgives.org or 314-880-4960

Application Success Factors

Based on the Boniface Foundation's documented grants and stated priorities:

Alignment with Mission

  • Projects must directly address health and well-being in St. Louis City and St. Louis County
  • Educational initiatives should demonstrate clear pathways to breaking cycles of poverty and improving long-term health outcomes

Demonstrated Impact from Recent Funded Projects

  • Saint Louis University mental health grant: Funded JED Campus partnership, Mental Health First Aid training, WellSPACE therapeutic environments, and additional counseling capacity
  • Mercy Hospital South grants: Focused on measurable improvements to patient care environments and comprehensive services

What Win Reed Has Said Makes Projects Stand Out Based on his quotes, the foundation values:

  • Committed leadership from grantee organizations ("we were aware that Mercy Hospital South was committed...")
  • Clear, tangible outcomes for beneficiaries ("moms, babies, and families will find the new space to be inviting and comforting")
  • Initiatives that create "substantial effect on the well-being and success" of those served

Core Values Alignment The foundation commits to:

  • Addressing community needs
  • Serving as trusted stewards of funds
  • Pursuing excellence through teamwork and respect
  • Expressing compassion and respect for all persons served

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. No public application process: Boniface Foundation makes grants through trustee discretion and established relationships rather than competitive applications. Focus on relationship-building rather than submitting unsolicited proposals.

  2. Strong healthcare focus: The foundation has deep roots in healthcare through its origins as St. Anthony's Medical Center Foundation. Major capital grants ($15-18 million) have gone to Mercy Hospital South, indicating this remains a priority relationship.

  3. Education as pathway to health: Their Graduate Support Program reflects a long-term strategy connecting educational success to community health outcomes. Partner schools are a defined network.

  4. Behavioral health is emerging priority: The $100,000 grant to SLU for mental health services suggests interest in community mental health beyond traditional hospital settings.

  5. St. Louis Community Foundation connection: Scholarship programs are administered through Scholarship Central, providing a potential touchpoint for organizations aligned with their educational mission.

  6. Board leadership is deeply connected: Win Reed's involvement with Mercy Hospital South, the St. Louis Zoo, and Opera Theatre of St. Louis suggests the foundation values organizations with strong civic connections and governance.

  7. Substantial capacity: With $305 million in assets and $13+ million in annual giving, the foundation can support major capital projects as well as programmatic grants.

References

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