Our Mission
We serve our donors and community for an equitable and vibrant region.
The St. Louis Community Foundation inspires purposeful philanthropy that connects community and donors to build and preserve a more equitable and vibrant region, now and forever.
We are committed to our fundamental roles of helping donors create personal legacies, investing donor funds for maximum returns with minimum risk, and playing a leadership role in tackling our communities’ most challenging needs.
$1 billion
Granted from the St. Louis Community Foundation since 1974.
$80M+
In annual grantmaking.
Our History
Proud history with a renewed investment in mission.
In the 1800s, the Mullanphy Fund provided for the needs of “immigrants” as they pioneered west though St. Louis. Later, visionary leaders saw the need to continue to provide an efficient endowment for the city. They followed the example of Frederick Goff, a progressive business leader in Cleveland who established the first community foundation. In 1915, the St. Louis “Trust” became the second community foundation founded in the U.S.. A “long look ahead for the betterment of the mental, moral, social and physical needs of the people who now or may hereafter reside within” the St. Louis region was the mandate.
The St. Louis Community Foundation’s oldest fund was founded by Edward Bredell over a century ago. His mission was to make Bibles accessible to all passersby in the city. Although the needs of the community have changed, Bredell’s intent has been preserved, and his fund continues to make an impact for religious institutions to this day.
Over the years, the St. Louis Community Foundation has continued to help donors effectively provide for the community, in areas such as education, healthcare, the environment, the arts, jobs skills, equity, and neighborhood revitalization. Our unique position as a philanthropic and community connector enables us to play a leadership role, encouraging dialogue and coordination to effect change.
$470 Million
Distributed to local nonprofits over the last 5 years.
Over 100 Years
Of grantmaking in St. Louis and around the world.
What is a Community Foundation?
Building community endowment to change lives.
Community foundations are nonprofit entities that bring together the charitable financial resources of individuals, families and businesses to support the greater needs of a community or region. Donors direct funding toward causes they care about, and the community foundation provides leadership, partnership, knowledge and expertise in the investment, designation and distribution of the funds.
The first community foundation was established in Cleveland, Ohio in 1914 and the St. Louis Community Foundation followed closely behind in 1915.
Today, there are more than 800 community foundations in the United States that collectively manage more than $40 billion in assets and distribute $2 billion per year in grants. Each community foundation evolves to meet the needs of its donors and community.
Click here for more information on the Community Foundation Public Awareness Initiative.
800
We are the steward of more than 800 charitable funds.
$450 Million
Our charitable funds total more than $450 million in assets.
Executive Leadership
Community Investment
Development
Donor Services
Finance
Giving Strategies
Human Resources
Center for Education Leadership
Gateway Early Childhood Alliance
Regional Response Team
Our Home
Visit Us Today
You are invited to visit us at our home in historic and beautiful Oak Knoll Park. Meet with experts in philanthropy, and join us for collaboration, learning, and caring for our community—or just stop by to say hello. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Visit Us
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