St. Louis Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Founded: 1915 (second-oldest community foundation in the U.S.)
• Annual Giving: $86.4 million (2023)
• Assets Under Management: $450+ million
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000 (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area (primarily Missouri and Illinois)
• Total Grants Since 1970s: Over $1 billion
• Funds Managed: 800+ charitable funds

Contact Details

Address: 2 Oak Knoll Park, St. Louis, MO 63105

Phone: (314) 588-8200

Email: grants@stlgives.org

Website: www.stlgives.org

Grant Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=stlgives

Overview

Established in 1915, the St. Louis Community Foundation is the second-oldest community foundation in the United States, with over 109 years of service to the St. Louis region. The Foundation serves as steward of more than 800 charitable funds totaling over $450 million in assets. In 2023, the Foundation granted $86.4 million to nonprofits, scholarship, and employee care recipients, with 81% of funds remaining in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. The Foundation's five-year total has exceeded half a billion dollars.

In March 2024, the Foundation unveiled "A Foundation for the Future," a new five-year strategic plan that concentrates a portion of discretionary grantmaking and resources in two priority areas: Economic Mobility and Youth Connections. Under the leadership of Dr. Kelvin Adams, who became President and CEO in 2023, the Foundation has emphasized collaborative philanthropy and equity-centered work. The Foundation provides exceptional service to donors while championing nonprofits, connecting individuals, families, and businesses to their philanthropic goals.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The St. Louis Community Foundation manages multiple grant programs with varying application methods and deadlines:

Economic Mobility Fund

• Focus: Housing, financial empowerment, and job creation
• Grant Amount: Varies by funding cycle
• Application: Contact Foundation for current opportunities
• Description: Targets organizations and programs addressing barriers to employment, retention, and advancement; financial education combined with access to financial products and assets for low-to-moderate income individuals

Youth Connections

• Focus: Early childhood development, educational innovation, and scholarship efforts
• Grant Amount: Varies by program
• Application: Contact Foundation for current opportunities
• Description: Creates opportunities for youth to excel academically and professionally

Gateway Regional Environment Fund (GREF)

• Grant Range: $10,000 - $30,000 (one-year grants)
• Duration: Up to 3 years with renewals
• Application: Rolling basis; proposals accepted through March 9, 2026
• Description: Supports projects advancing community efforts to reduce the region's carbon footprint

Episcopal Presbyterian Health Trust (EPHT)

• Grant Range: Up to $25,000 annually
• Duration: One-year or multi-year grants (up to 3 years)
• Application: Two-stage process through grant portal (LOI, then full application by invitation)
• Geographic Focus: 25 zip codes in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and East Metro
• Description: Funds primary care, chronic disease, and mental health services across the spectrum of care

Pettus Foundation

• Grant Range: $5,000 - $25,000
• Application: Invitation-only, twice per year
• Description: Funds direct services and small capital improvements that create self-reliance, independence, and citizen productivity
• Preference: Applications demonstrating multiple funding partners and match/challenge grant opportunities

Spirit of St. Louis Women's Fund

• Grant Range: $5,000 - $25,000 (standard grants); up to $33,333/year for three-year accelerator grants
• Application Cycle: Two-year cycle; next LOI opportunity in May 2026
• Description: Awards grants to smaller St. Louis-area nonprofits serving women and children

Priority Areas

• Economic Mobility: Housing, financial health, job access and creation, workforce development, financial literacy and asset building
• Youth Connections: Academic achievement, workforce readiness, personal development, early childhood development, educational innovation
• Arts and Culture
• Community Development
• Education
• Environment and Sustainability
• Health and Mental Health Services
• Human Services
• Senior Services

What They Don't Fund

Specific restrictions vary by foundation managed by STLCF. The Pettus Foundation, for example, explicitly does NOT fund:

• Advocacy programs
• Research programs
• Systems-level initiatives
• Computer technology requests

Note: Much of the Foundation's grantmaking is donor-directed through donor-advised funds, field of interest funds, and designated funds, which may have additional restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Dr. Kelvin Adams - President and CEO (since 2023)

• Fourth President and CEO of the Foundation
• Previously served 14 years as Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools
• Quote: "We are not just stewards of resources. We are architects of possibility. We are at a moment in time where we must place equity at the center of our work."
• Quote: "There's a remarkable opportunity to address some of complexities of the issues in our community by bringing individuals, families and businesses together around their philanthropic goals at the St. Louis Community Foundation."

Board of Directors

The Foundation's mission, program, staff, and finances are overseen by a diverse, independent board of donors and community and business leaders.

Board Chair: Bill Schmidt, Managing Partner, Cultivation Capital

Board Secretary: Eric Madkins, Vice President of Community Development, Regions Bank

Selected Board Members:

• Marvin Anderson - Sr. Vice President, Private Client Advisor, U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management
• Steve Bredbenner - Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Commerce Trust Company
• Terry Crow - Partner, Crow Takacs; Managing Member, Gateway Clippers
• Carla Jackson - Sr. VP, Senior Portfolio Manager, First Bank
• Nina Leigh Krueger - CEO, Nestle Purina U.S.
• Michael Whittle - Vice President and General Counsel, St. Louis Cardinals
• Clint Zweifel - President and CEO, Northern Trust – Missouri

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications vary by grant program. Most programs use the St. Louis Community Foundation's online grant portal.

General Process:

1. Review available grant opportunities on the Foundation's website
2. Contact Foundation staff at grants@stlgives.org to learn about specific funder priorities and processes
3. For applicable programs, submit application through the grant portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=stlgives
4. Many programs use a two-stage process: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) followed by full proposal by invitation
5. Final applications often use a customized version of the Missouri Common Grant Application 2.0

Eligibility: Organizations must be 501(c)(3) compliant and in good standing with the IRS. Some programs accept fiscally sponsored organizations.

Application Limitations: Organizations may only submit one LOI per year for certain programs (e.g., Episcopal Presbyterian Health Trust).

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by program and are not publicly standardized across all grant programs. Each foundation managed by STLCF has its own review process and timeline. Based on available information:

• Two-stage application processes typically involve several weeks to months between LOI submission and invitation for full proposal
• Some foundations conduct site visits before final decisions
• The Foundation processes grants for 800+ charitable funds with different schedules
• Formal grantmaking for the new Economic Mobility and Youth Connections priority areas began in late 2024/early 2025

For specific timeline information, contact the Foundation directly at grants@stlgives.org.

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publish specific success rates. In 2023, there were 202 awards made. However, since much of the Foundation's grantmaking is donor-directed rather than competitive (through donor-advised funds, field of interest funds, and designated funds), traditional success rate metrics are difficult to determine.

The Foundation manages more than 100 unique private foundations and donor-advised funds, each with its own selection criteria and processes.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies vary by specific grant program. Contact the Foundation for guidance on reapplying to specific programs.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Insights

Demonstrate Multiple Funding Partners: The Pettus Foundation trustees particularly favor applications that demonstrate multiple funding partners and match or challenge grant opportunities, indicating the Foundation values collaborative funding approaches.

Complete and Realistic Budgets: Budget accuracy is critical and is one of the most important components grant committees consider.

Address Critical Community Needs: The most competitive proposals address critical needs in the community with local data and explain why the project is timely and important.

Show Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Since the Foundation announced its focus on Economic Mobility and Youth Connections in 2024, demonstrating alignment with these areas may strengthen applications for discretionary funding.

Evidence of Impact: Applications should show clear plans for achieving measurable outcomes aligned with the funder's Theory of Change.

Sustainability Planning: Strong proposals include realistic, specific plans to sustain programs after grant funding is exhausted.

Self-Reliance and Independence: For Pettus Foundation applicants, demonstrate how your program creates self-reliance, independence, and citizen productivity rather than dependency.

Use Missouri Common Grant Application 2.0: Final applications often use this standardized format, so familiarity with it is beneficial.

Collaborative Approach: For Youth Connections grants, collaborative applications are encouraged, reflecting the Foundation's emphasis on partnership.

Equity Focus: Dr. Adams has emphasized placing "equity at the center" of the Foundation's work, suggesting applications should demonstrate commitment to equitable outcomes.

Recent Funding Examples

• Black Communities Investment Initiative (2021): 82 Black-led nonprofits serving Black communities received funding, including Action St. Louis, Circle of Care St. Louis, St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, and Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council
• Brickline Greenway: Received support from Berges Family Foundation for a $245 million project connecting 14 neighborhoods through 10+ miles of walking and biking paths
• Funded sectors include arts and culture, education, health, senior services, and environmental projects

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Multiple Entry Points: The Foundation manages 800+ charitable funds, offering numerous potential funding opportunities beyond the main discretionary programs. Research which specific fund best aligns with your work.

• Relationship Building is Essential: With many invitation-only programs (like Pettus Foundation) and donor-directed funds, contact Foundation staff early at grants@stlgives.org to explore fit before applying.

• Strategic Alignment Matters: The 2024-2028 strategic plan prioritizes Economic Mobility and Youth Connections. Projects addressing housing, financial health, job creation, youth development, or educational innovation align with current priorities.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: Whether through multiple funding partners, collaborative applications, or partnership approaches, the Foundation values organizations working together to address complex community issues.

• Geographic Focus: While the Foundation has made grants nationally and internationally, 81% of funding stays in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan area—local impact is prioritized.

• Two-Stage Process: Many programs use LOI followed by invited full proposals, so invest time in a strong, concise initial inquiry that clearly demonstrates fit.

• Equity and Opportunity Creation: Frame your work around creating opportunities for those who "might not have opportunities" (Pettus's founding vision) and demonstrate how you place equity at the center of your approach.

References

• St. Louis Community Foundation Official Website: https://stlgives.org/ (Accessed March 2026)
• St. Louis Community Foundation About Page: https://stlgives.org/about/ (Accessed March 2026)
• St. Louis Community Foundation Grants Management: https://stlgives.org/nonprofits/grants-management/ (Accessed March 2026)
• St. Louis Community Foundation 2023 Annual Report: https://stlgives.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/STLCF_2023-Annual-Report-Web.pdf (Accessed March 2026)
• "With A Renewed Emphasis On Community, St. Louis Community Foundation Unveils New Five-Year Strategic Plan": https://stlgives.org/strategicplan/ (Accessed March 2026)
• "Dr. Kelvin Adams: Remarks on the Future of the Foundation": https://stlgives.org/dr-adams-remarks/ (Accessed March 2026)
• St. Louis Community Foundation Board of Directors: https://stlgives.org/about/board-of-directors/ (Accessed March 2026)
• Episcopal Presbyterian Health Trust Grantmaking 2025 Overview: https://stlgives.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/EPHT-Funding-Guide-2025.pdf (Accessed March 2026)
• "STLCF Announces Black Communities Investment Initiative Grant Recipients": https://stlgives.org/stlcf-announces-black-communities-investment-initiative-grant-recipients/ (Accessed March 2026)
• St. Louis Community Foundation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/st.-louis-community-foundation (Accessed March 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/st-louis-community-foundation (Accessed March 2026)
• GuideStar Profile (EIN 43-6023126): https://www.guidestar.org/profile/43-6023126 (Accessed March 2026)