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The Saigh Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.9M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,912,677 (most recent fiscal year)
  • Total Assets: $65.4 million
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3 months
  • Geographic Focus: St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area
  • Organizations Funded: 136 in most recent fiscal year; 302+ unique organizations since inception
  • Years of Service: 24 years (founded 2000)
  • Total Distributed: $51.7+ million since inception

Contact Details

Address: 231 S. Bemiston Avenue, Suite 735, St. Louis, MO 63105

Phone: 314-862-3055

Fax: 314-862-9288

Email: saigh@thesaighfoundation.org

Website: https://thesaighfoundation.org

Pre-Application Contact: Organizations that may be a potential fit are welcome to contact the foundation prior to submission deadlines to arrange a time to meet and share additional information. Contact Julie Hantman, Assistant Director.

Overview

Founded in 2000, The Saigh Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of Fred Saigh, a St. Louis lawyer, businessman, and former owner of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team (1948-1953). Saigh died in 1999 at age 94, leaving $70 million to establish the foundation. With total assets of $65.4 million and annual giving of approximately $2.9 million, the foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for children and youth in the St. Louis metropolitan area through support of educational and health-related charitable institutions and organizations. Like Mr. Saigh, the foundation is particularly dedicated to aiding those who might not otherwise receive assistance. Over its 24-year history, the foundation has distributed over $51.7 million to more than 300 nonprofit organizations throughout the St. Louis region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Saigh Foundation operates a single grant program with quarterly application cycles. Applications are accepted electronically only through their online portal.

Application Deadlines:

  • January 15 (notifications by end of April)
  • April 15 (notifications by end of July)
  • July 15 (notifications by end of October)
  • October 15 (notifications by end of January)

All grant requests must be submitted by 11:59 PM CST on one of the four annual deadlines to be considered for that quarter's review.

Special Programs:

  • Saigh Foundation Bravo Grants: Renewable scholarship grants of $12,000 per year awarded to graduating high school seniors with significant financial need through partnership with The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on projects and initiatives that:

  • Primarily benefit children and youth
  • Focus on education - including schools, youth programs, literacy initiatives, and educational access
  • Focus on healthcare - including children's health services, medical care access, and health education
  • Serve the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area

Past grantees span diverse sectors including educational institutions (Saint Louis University, Washington University), youth organizations (Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters), healthcare nonprofits (SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation), arts organizations (Shakespeare Festival, Opera Theatre), and social service agencies (Operation Food Search, Gateway Homeless Services).

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not fund:

  • Annual appeals
  • Fundraising dinners or events
  • Capital campaigns
  • Loans or debt repayment
  • Film production
  • Travel costs
  • Organizations outside the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area

Governance and Leadership

Staff

Elke Buckland, Executive Director

  • Named Executive Director in 2019, succeeding founding Executive Director JoAnn Hejna
  • Second Executive Director in the foundation's history
  • Background in nonprofit management since 2013; previously worked in manufacturing and supply chain management as owner-operator for 16 years
  • St. Louis native, active in Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church
  • Passionate about community impact and relationship cultivation
  • Compensation: $130,171 (2025 fiscal year)

Julie Hantman, Assistant Director

  • Named Assistant Director in 2019
  • Over 25 years of nonprofit experience in St. Louis
  • Professional grant writer for 9+ years before joining the foundation
  • Previously worked with Maryville University, Young Audiences, Washington University in St. Louis, and Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
  • Expertise in development, government relations, recognition programs, special events, and relationship building
  • Bachelor's degree in Organizational Communications from University of Kansas
  • Met Fred Saigh early in her career
  • Contact: 314-862-3055

Trustees

Mike Hejna

  • President & CEO of Gundaker Commercial Group
  • Real estate financing and development background
  • Extensive community leadership roles
  • Graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia

Heidi Veron

  • Trustee since 2005
  • 20+ years managing public and private projects
  • Marketing communications background
  • Independent consultant
  • Active in community organizations

Franklin F. Wallis, Esq.

  • Attorney specializing in wealth management
  • Long-time personal lawyer and friend of Fred Saigh
  • Extensive board experience with cultural organizations
  • Degrees from multiple universities

Fiduciary Trust Company International

  • Corporate trustee since 2007

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Saigh Foundation accepts grant applications electronically only through their online portal at https://thesaighfoundation.org.

Application Process:

  1. Online registration
  2. Complete online application by quarterly deadline
  3. If approved: submit Grant Agreement
  4. If approved: submit Follow-up Report after grant period

Pre-Application Contact Encouraged: Organizations are welcome to contact the foundation before submission deadlines to arrange a meeting and share additional information. This pre-application consultation is available but not required.

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Organizations will be notified if grant requests have been approved, declined, or deferred for clarification approximately 3 months after submission.

Quarterly Timeline:

  • January 15 deadline → notifications by end of April
  • April 15 deadline → notifications by end of July
  • July 15 deadline → notifications by end of October
  • October 15 deadline → notifications by end of January

Success Rates

The foundation funds approximately 136 unique organizations per year from its applicant pool. With annual giving of approximately $2.9 million distributed across these organizations, the foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. However, specific application numbers and acceptance percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation notes that "although the Foundation makes only one grant per organization per year, several of the organizations below have received funding in multiple years." This indicates that:

  • Only one grant per organization per fiscal year is permitted
  • Organizations can and do receive funding in multiple years
  • Repeat funding is clearly possible and common among successful applicants

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Core Mission

The foundation is laser-focused on children and youth in education and healthcare within the St. Louis metro area. Applications must clearly demonstrate how the project primarily benefits young people in these two sectors. The foundation values projects that aid "those who might not otherwise receive assistance," reflecting Fred Saigh's legacy of supporting underserved populations.

Geographic Specificity

Strict adherence to the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area requirement is essential. The foundation explicitly excludes organizations outside this geographic boundary, so applications must clearly establish local service delivery.

Pre-Application Engagement

The foundation welcomes and encourages organizations to reach out before submitting applications. This pre-application consultation with staff can help determine fit and strengthen applications. Julie Hantman, Assistant Director, is an experienced grant writer herself with 9+ years of professional grant writing experience before joining the foundation, suggesting the foundation values well-crafted, clear proposals.

Clarity on Youth Impact

Given the foundation's exclusive focus on children and youth, successful applications clearly articulate:

  • Which young people will benefit
  • How the project directly serves youth populations
  • Measurable outcomes for children and young people
  • How the project addresses educational or health needs

Understanding the Legacy

The foundation continues Fred Saigh's philanthropic vision. Saigh famously sold the Cardinals to Anheuser-Busch for less money than out-of-town offers to keep the team in St. Louis, demonstrating his commitment to the community. Applications that reflect understanding of this local commitment and legacy of service may resonate with trustees.

Building Long-Term Relationships

With 302+ organizations funded since inception and 136 funded in the most recent year, many organizations receive repeat funding. The foundation's structure encourages ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants, suggesting that successful applicants demonstrate accountability and impact that merits continued support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area organizations are eligible; do not apply if located outside this area
  • Focus is narrow and deep: Children/youth + education/healthcare only; projects outside these parameters will not be funded
  • Pre-application contact is welcomed: Take advantage of the opportunity to consult with foundation staff before applying, especially given Julie Hantman's grant writing expertise
  • Quarterly deadlines are firm: Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM CST on January 15, April 15, July 15, or October 15; plan accordingly for the 3-month decision timeline
  • One grant per year maximum: Organizations can only receive one grant per fiscal year, but repeat funding across multiple years is common and encouraged for successful projects
  • Exclusions are explicit: Do not apply for annual appeals, fundraising events, capital campaigns, debt repayment, film production, or travel costs
  • Underserved populations matter: The foundation honors Fred Saigh's legacy of helping "those who might not otherwise receive assistance"—emphasize how your project serves underserved youth populations

References

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