Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund Meeting Creates “Beautiful Mosaic” of Nonprofits
In July 2018, the Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund was established from a $12.5 million settlement in a case between the State of Missouri and Republic Services, Allied Services, and Bridgeton Landfill, LLC. The terms stated that the fund must be used for nonprofits within a four-mile radius of the Landfill. The amount will focus on areas of environment, health, and safety.
The St. Louis Community Foundation is in charge of directing the grant-making process. Recently, the Foundation gathered data from community members to decide what issues they believe are most pressing. The results showed that the lack of mental health programs is a prominent concern for the community. In May of 2019, the Foundation selected eleven nonprofits focused on mental health and substance abuse to receive funding.
On Thursday, September 19th, a meeting about the Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund was hosted by Just Moms STL, a group heading the fight against the Bridgeton Landfill. At the meeting, nonprofit grantees gave descriptions of their organization’s mission and how they are implementing programs with the funding.
Representatives from the following organizations were present: Alive & Well Communities, Behavioral Health Network, Boys and Girls Club of St. Charles County, CHADS Coalition for Mental Health, NCADA, Pattonville School District, Room at the Inn, Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, UMSL Center for Behavioral Health, Walter’s Walk, and Youth in Need.
Elizabeth George, Director of Community Investment at the St. Louis Community Foundation, facilitated the discussion. Elizabeth stated that “the settlement fund is meant for community betterment, and, as part of that, these grants are specifically mental health,” George believes the nonprofits in attendance will help to fulfill this betterment.
One audience member told Elizabeth that the Community Foundation has “created a beautiful mosaic of groups for the community.” The St. Louis Community Foundation hopes that the beautiful mosaic of nonprofits assembled by the Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund will help residents in the most critical areas.
For frequently asked questions about the Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund, please click here.
Please visit the following websites for more information regarding the settlement:
For a complete listing of Bridgeton Landfill Mental Health & Substance Abuse grantees and descriptions of their programs, click here.
