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YouthBridge Community Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.7M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.0M

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $105,238,300
  • Annual Giving: $12,703,027 (2022)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $40,000+ (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: St. Louis metropolitan area
  • Founded: 1877 (transitioned to community foundation in 2005)

Contact Details

Address: 12977 North Forty Drive, Suite 368, St. Louis, MO 63141

Phone: (314) 985-6778

Main Contact: (314) 396-8685

Tax ID: 43-6064111

Website: youthbridge.org

Key Grant Contacts:

  • Sissy Swift, Director of Grants and Community Initiatives (Think Big for Kids, Fund Training Camp)
  • Allison McDonald, Grants Manager - amcdonald@youthbridge.org or (314) 396-6659 (YEP STL!, Youth Entrepreneurship Grant)

Overview

YouthBridge Community Foundation, established in 1877 as the German General Protestant Orphan's Association, has evolved from a direct-care provider into a community foundation serving the Greater St. Louis region. With over $105 million in total assets, YouthBridge partners with donors, families, and businesses to support charitable causes through leadership, grants, and donor services, with a particular emphasis on children and youth organizations.

The foundation successfully completed its transition to a community foundation model in 2005, leveraging its 100+ year history and modest endowment to provide grants, community programs, and operating support. YouthBridge has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong financial health and organizational accountability. The foundation distributed over $12.7 million in grants in 2022 alone, making 144 awards that year, demonstrating its significant impact on the St. Louis nonprofit sector.

YouthBridge's unique approach positions them as "philanthropy advisors" who actively bridge personal values, business interests, and community needs. Under the leadership of CEO Barbara Carswell since 2021, the foundation emphasizes a partnership model of grantmaking rather than merely transactional funding relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Think Big for Kids - $25,000+ Invitation-only grants designed to fund bold, innovative, or ambitious ideas that transform children and youth services in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Applications accepted by invitation only, though inquiries are welcomed. Not intended for start-ups, traditional capacity building, capital campaigns, or routine program expansion. Recent recipients (2020-2025) include Turn the Page STL, Saint Louis Story Stitchers, and Kids Win Missouri.

Youth Entrepreneurship Grant - $10,000 - $40,000 Supports capacity building for youth entrepreneurship programs and organizations in the greater St. Louis area. Applications open August 1-29 annually. Anticipated 1-3 awards per year.

Heritage Grant - Amount varies Supports child and youth-serving organizations regularly supported by fundholders. Recipients selected based on merit ("what you do rather than who you know"). Provides flexible funding that can be used for capacity building, strategic planning, and unrestricted support.

Gateway Children's Charity - Amount varies Grants for early childhood programs (preschool to Kindergarten age) that support children living in underserved St. Louis communities. Application completed through YouthBridge website.

Child Welfare Capacity Building Grant - Generally $10,000 Aids nonprofits whose primary mission ensures the safety, permanency, and well-being of children by addressing child abuse and neglect through foster/adoption care, prevention, and treatment. Partnership with Children's Trust Fund of Missouri (noted as past program).

Fund Training Camp - In-kind training grant Awards 10 child-serving charitable organizations with intensive five-day training in building an effective fund development program, conducted by Let's Build Hope consultancy. Requires commitment from Board Chair, CEO, and Development leader.

YEP STL! (Youth Engaged in Philanthropy) - Amount varies High school students review and evaluate grant applications to support youth causes in St. Louis. Applications due December 10 annually.

Wayne C. Kaufmann Charitable Foundation - Amount varies Administered by YouthBridge, this foundation accepts applications by invitation only but welcomes inquiries. Seeks to improve care and welfare of people in the community through educational or health-related services, or assistance to lower income and disadvantaged adults and children. First consideration given to Lutheran-affiliated organizations. Recent grants include $10,000 to Ranken Jordan.

Priority Areas

  • Child and youth services (primary focus)
  • Early childhood education (preschool through kindergarten)
  • Child abuse and neglect prevention/treatment
  • Youth entrepreneurship programs
  • Innovative, transformative programs for children and youth
  • Capacity building for child-serving organizations
  • Organizations serving underserved St. Louis communities

What They Don't Fund

For Think Big for Kids specifically:

  • Start-up organizations
  • Traditional capacity building projects
  • Capital campaigns
  • Routine expansion of existing programs

General guidance suggests strong preference for organizations primarily serving children and youth (more than 50% of program expenses dedicated to these efforts).

Governance and Leadership

Staff

Barbara Carswell, Chief Executive Officer Barbara directs YouthBridge's efforts to partner with donors in support of charities in the St. Louis region. She joined YouthBridge in 2013 as a tax attorney and former Executive Director of a child-serving nonprofit, assuming the CEO role in 2021. She holds a law degree from the University of Munich and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Georgia. Barbara's expertise includes grantmaking, strategic philanthropy advice, family foundation administration, and gift planning. She emphasizes YouthBridge's partnership philosophy: "Because we strive to partner with our clients," often proactively connecting organizations with appropriate funding sources beyond just their initial application.

Elphanie "Sissy" Swift, Director of Grants and Community Initiatives Oversees all grant opportunities in support of YouthBridge's goals and manages all grantmaking programs, special projects, and technical assistance. Primary contact for Think Big for Kids and Fund Training Camp programs.

Andranique Ellis, Director of Philanthropy Manages donor relationships and philanthropy advisory services.

Allison McDonald, Grants Manager Manages all YouthBridge Community Foundation grant processes provided by unrestricted funds, donors, and clients, ensuring accurate, timely, efficient, and transparent processes for the entire grant cycle. Primary contact for YEP STL! and Youth Entrepreneurship Grant programs.

Lori Shumake, Operations and Donor Service Manager Handles operational functions and donor services.

Board of Directors (15 members)

Officers:

  • Wendy Walsh, Chairman (The Law Office of Wendy W. Walsh)
  • Jeff Moenkhaus, Vice-Chairman (Salesforce)
  • Richard S. Kallaus, Treasurer (Sunnen Corporation)
  • Kathleen Judge, Secretary (Edward Jones)

Additional board members represent various businesses and professions across the St. Louis region, bringing expertise in taxation, grantmaking, capacity building, financial management, and nonprofit leadership.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application processes vary significantly by grant program:

Think Big for Kids: Invitation-only applications. Organizations can submit initial inquiries and preview the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) format on the YouthBridge website. Contact Sissy Swift for inquiries.

Youth Entrepreneurship Grant: Open application period August 1-29 annually. Application available on YouthBridge website. Contact Allison McDonald for questions.

YEP STL!: Applications due December 10 annually. Application available on YouthBridge website. Contact Allison McDonald at amcdonald@youthbridge.org or (314) 396-6659.

Gateway Children's Charity: Application completed and submitted through YouthBridge website. Contact Allison McDonald for questions.

Fund Training Camp: Application process varies (currently closed in recent cycle). Requires organizational commitment from Board Chair, CEO, and Development leader. Contact Sissy Swift for information.

Heritage Grant: Selection appears to be through fundholder nominations rather than open application.

Wayne C. Kaufmann Charitable Foundation: Invitation-only, but welcomes inquiries.

General Eligibility Requirements

Most programs require:

  • IRC 501(c)(3) public charity status (or fiscal sponsor, or governmental organization for some programs)
  • Located in and primarily serving the St. Louis metropolitan area
  • Mission focused on children or youth (typically 50%+ of program expenses)

Decision Timeline

YouthBridge distributes grants throughout the year, making 144 awards in 2022, 117 in 2021, and 115 in 2020. Specific decision timelines vary by program and are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. With approximately 117-144 grants awarded annually across multiple programs, competitiveness varies by program.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Organizations are encouraged to contact grant program staff directly for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

YouthBridge's Partnership Approach

YouthBridge distinguishes itself through a collaborative grantmaking philosophy. CEO Barbara Carswell describes their approach: "Because we strive to partner with our clients," emphasizing that the foundation actively works to connect nonprofits with appropriate funding sources rather than simply reviewing applications. This partnership model means:

  • YouthBridge may proactively suggest alternative funds if your application doesn't fit the initially targeted program but matches another opportunity
  • They connect organizations with complementary grant opportunities beyond just YouthBridge funds
  • Staff help reduce barriers for organizations serving at-risk youth by understanding community needs deeply

Program-Specific Success Factors

Think Big for Kids:

  • Proposals must be "bold, innovative, or ambitious and transformative" for children and youth
  • Not for incremental improvements—this is for big ideas
  • Small to mid-sized organizations preferred
  • Must demonstrate regional impact on St. Louis metropolitan area
  • Innovation is valued over established approaches

Youth Entrepreneurship Grant:

  • Must focus on capacity building (not just program delivery)
  • Strengthens the organization or program infrastructure
  • Serves the greater St. Louis area specifically

Fund Training Camp:

  • Requires full organizational commitment: Board Chair, CEO, and Development leader must all participate
  • Demonstrates that capacity building requires buy-in at every level of leadership

Heritage Grant:

  • Selection based on "what you do rather than who you know"
  • Merit-based selection emphasizing demonstrated impact
  • The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis (2023 recipient) used their Heritage Grant for capacity building and strategic planning, utilizing YouthBridge-sponsored Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT)

General Application Strengths

  • Demonstrate measurable impact on children and youth in St. Louis communities
  • Show innovation and transformation, not just service delivery
  • Articulate capacity building needs clearly when relevant
  • Emphasize community impact and how you address barriers for at-risk youth
  • Build relationships with staff before applying when possible—YouthBridge welcomes inquiries
  • Use responsive philanthropy approach: YouthBridge values flexibility and doesn't overly restrict fund use

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • YouthBridge operates as a true partner, not just a funder. They actively help organizations find appropriate funding, even suggesting alternative funds when applications don't quite fit. Contact grant staff early with inquiries rather than waiting to submit a perfect application.

  • Focus is overwhelmingly on children and youth causes. Organizations must dedicate 50%+ of program expenses to children/youth services for most programs. Early childhood and adolescent populations are priority areas.

  • Innovation and transformation are valued over incremental improvements. Particularly for Think Big for Kids, "routine expansion" won't be competitive—bold, ambitious ideas that transform how services are delivered will stand out.

  • Many programs are invitation-only, but inquiries are welcomed. Don't be discouraged by "invitation-only" language. YouthBridge staff encourage organizations to reach out, preview applications, and discuss fit before formal submission.

  • Capacity building is a strategic priority. Multiple grant programs (Youth Entrepreneurship, Heritage Grant, Fund Training Camp, Child Welfare Capacity Building) specifically support organizational strengthening, not just program delivery. YouthBridge understands that strong organizations deliver better outcomes.

  • Geographic focus is strict: St. Louis metropolitan area. Your organization must be located in and primarily serve this region to be competitive.

  • Relationship-building matters. With $105 million in assets and active grantmaking, YouthBridge is a significant regional funder. Organizations should engage with their capacity-building programs and training opportunities even when not applying for grants to establish relationships over time.

References

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