STLCF Hosts Information Session for 2nd Round of Funding for Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund
The St. Louis Community Foundation (STLCF) in partnership with Gateway Greening, recently held an information session for the Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund (Bridgeton Fund) Tuesday, February 11. The session provided information for nonprofits interested in applying for greening, gardening, and outdoor living initiatives, and small projects focused on health, public safety and the environment.
At the meeting, organizations were informed about the specifics of the Bridgeton Fund, the role STLCF plays in the project and details on the Greening, Gardening and Outdoor Living Initiative. Jackson Hambrick, a representative from Gateway Greening, provided attendees with information regarding the planting proposals and how they will assist in expanding community gardening.
Elizabeth George, Director of Community Investment at the St. Louis Community Foundation, facilitated the discussion. When explaining the Bridgeton Fund as a whole, Elizabeth stated, “these people love being a part of this community, they care deeply. They care deeply about their neighbors and they want the best for themselves, their neighbors and their children, this fund has to be about their future.”
In thinking about the future of the Bridgeton community, the Greening, Gardening and Outdoor Living Initiative will work to improve the natural environment with project types such as community gardens, education programs about the use of the natural environment, storm water collection and irrigation and more.
Representatives from the following organizations were present: Pattonville School District, St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, Forest ReLeaf, City of Maryland Heights, Marygrove, Washington University, St. Louis Department of Public Health, St. Louis Audubon and the City of Bridgeton.
The Bridgeton Fund was established in July 2018 with $12.5 million from a legal settlement between the State of Missouri and Republic Services, Allied Services, and Bridgeton Landfill, LLC regarding the subsurface smoldering event at the Bridgeton Landfill in Bridgeton, MO.
Per the terms of the settlement, the Bridgeton Fund will support nonprofit organizations working or located within a four-mile radius of the Bridgeton Landfill. After reviewing the needs of the surrounding community and completing a series of community conversations, STLCF has identified four funding areas: Public Safety, Access to Health Care Access to Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Greening, Gardening, and Outdoor Living.
For frequently asked questions about the Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund, please click here.
Click here to view the presentation materials.
Please visit the following websites for more information regarding the settlement:
Department of Natural Resources
