YouthBridge Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Total Assets: $105,238,300
• Annual Giving: $19,997,666 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by programme
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $240,000+ (varies by programme)
• 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, Vice-President of Grants and Community Initiatives (Think Big for Kids, Fund Training Camp, Partnership or Merger Grant)
• 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 organisations.

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 programmes, and operating support. YouthBridge has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong financial health and organisational accountability. The foundation distributed $19,997,666 in grants in 2024, making 136 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 emphasises a partnership model of grantmaking rather than merely transactional funding relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Think Big for Kids - $25,000+ Invitation-only grants designed to fund ambitious, creative, and transformative proposals for children and youth services in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Applications accepted by invitation only, though inquiries are welcomed. Not intended for start-up organisations, traditional capacity building, capital campaigns, or routine programme expansion. Past recipients 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 programmes and organisations in the greater St. Louis area. Applications typically open in August annually. Anticipated 1-3 awards per year.

Heritage Grant - Amount varies Supports child and youth-serving organisations 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 programmes (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 or Merger Grant - $15,000 - $50,000 Provides support to child- and youth-serving nonprofits in the Greater St. Louis area that are exploring or implementing a partnership or merger with another organisation. Funds may be used for consulting services, administrative support, and other costs related to the proposed unification, including during initial discussion stages through post-merger coordination. Not intended to fund programme collaborations. Applications accepted by invitation only, though inquiries are welcomed. Contact Sissy Swift for information.

Fund Training Camp - In-kind training grant Awards 10 child-serving charitable organisations with intensive five-day training in building an effective fund development programme, 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 are typically due in December 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 organisations. 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 programmes
• Innovative, transformative programmes for children and youth
• Capacity building for child-serving organisations
• Organisations serving underserved St. Louis communities

What They Don't Fund

For Think Big for Kids specifically:

• Start-up organisations
• Traditional capacity building projects
• Capital campaigns
• Routine expansion of existing programmes

General guidance suggests strong preference for organisations primarily serving children and youth (more than 50% of programme 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 emphasises YouthBridge's partnership philosophy: "Because we strive to partner with our clients," often proactively connecting organisations with appropriate funding sources beyond just their initial application.

Elphanie "Sissy" Swift, Vice-President of Grants and Community Initiatives Oversees all grant opportunities in support of YouthBridge's goals and manages all grantmaking programmes, special projects, and technical assistance. Primary contact for Think Big for Kids, Fund Training Camp, and Partnership or Merger Grant programmes.

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

Julia Lucas, Director of Donor Initiatives

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 programmes.

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

Board of Directors (13 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 programme:

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

Youth Entrepreneurship Grant: Applications typically open in August annually. Application available on YouthBridge website. Contact Allison McDonald for questions.

YEP STL!: Applications are typically due in December 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.

Partnership or Merger Grant: Invitation-only applications, though inquiries are welcomed. Contact Sissy Swift for information.

Fund Training Camp: Application rounds vary; requires organisational commitment from Board Chair, CEO, and Development leader. Contact Sissy Swift for current availability.

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 programmes require:

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

Decision Timeline

YouthBridge distributes grants throughout the year, making 136 awards in 2024 and 144 in 2023. Specific decision timelines vary by programme and are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. With approximately 136-144 grants awarded annually across multiple programmes in recent years, competitiveness varies by programme.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Organisations are encouraged to contact grant programme 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," emphasising 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 programme but matches another opportunity
• They connect organisations with complementary grant opportunities beyond just YouthBridge funds
• Staff help reduce barriers for organisations serving at-risk youth by understanding community needs deeply

Programme-Specific Success Factors

Think Big for Kids:

• Proposals must be "ambitious, creative, and transformative" for children and youth
• Not for incremental improvements—this is for big ideas
• Small to mid-sized organisations 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 programme delivery)
• Strengthens the organisation or programme infrastructure
• Serves the greater St. Louis area specifically

Fund Training Camp:

• Requires full organisational 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 emphasising demonstrated impact
• The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis used their Heritage Grant for capacity building and strategic planning, utilising 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
• Emphasise 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 organisations 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. Organisations must dedicate 50%+ of programme expenses to children/youth services for most programmes. 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—ambitious, creative proposals that transform how services are delivered will stand out.

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

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

• Geographic focus is strict: St. Louis metropolitan area. Your organisation 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. Organisations should engage with their capacity-building programmes and training opportunities even when not applying for grants to establish relationships over time.

References

• YouthBridge Community Foundation official website: https://youthbridge.org (Accessed January 2026)
• Think Big for Kids grant programme: https://youthbridge.org/think-big-for-kids/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Youth Entrepreneurship Grant: https://youthbridge.org/youth-entrepreneurship/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Grant Programmes overview: https://youthbridge.org/category/grant-programs/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Board & Staff: https://youthbridge.org/about/board-staff/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Financials: https://youthbridge.org/about/financials/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Partnership Approach to Grantmaking: https://youthbridge.org/a-partnership-approach-to-grantmaking%E2%80%8B/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Fund Training Camp: https://youthbridge.org/fund-training-camp/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Partnership or Merger Grant: https://youthbridge.org/partnership-merger-grant-program/ (Accessed May 2026)
• Barbara Carswell profile: https://youthbridge.org/barbara-carswell/ (Accessed May 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990 data: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/436064111 (Accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator Rating: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/436064111 (Accessed January 2026)
• The Grantsmanship Center profile: https://www.tgci.com/funder/youthbridge-community-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
• Philanthropy Missouri - Barbara Carswell profile: https://philanthropymissouri.org/barbara-carswell/ (Accessed May 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/youthbridge-community-foundation-691766a9-a341-46e3-a162-fb8bf42b796d (Accessed May 2026)