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SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS WOMEN’S FUND AWARDS
11 ST. LOUIS NONPROFITS $215,000 IN GRANTS
Women’s philanthropic organization relies on power of collective giving to make an impact in the St. Louis region.
ST. LOUIS – October 10, 2024 – Now in its 17th year of giving, the Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund (SOS) has announced the 2024 recipients of its Spirit Awards. A total of 11 nonprofits serving the St. Louis area will share nearly $215,000 in grant funds in the coming year. The grants were awarded at a ceremony held October 9 at the St. Louis County Library’s newly opened Clark Family Branch.
SOS is a women’s giving collective, comprised of 200 area women who accept and review grant applications from smaller area nonprofits, conduct site visits, and ultimately vote to determine recipients. The newly awarded grants bring SOS’s total contributions to the community – since 2007 – to nearly $3.6 million, invested across 106 agencies.
“The core philosophy of SOS is simple – we pool our resources and award grants as a group. Working collectively, we are able to better support the outstanding work of area nonprofits and have a greater impact on the community as a whole,” said Ally Kell, SOS president.
SOS’s unique approach to giving supports the outstanding work of smaller nonprofits that often go unnoticed. These organizations are on the frontlines, providing essential services such as mental health support for struggling teens, revitalizing public spaces like Fairground Park, and offering employment training for ex-offenders. While each nonprofit’s purpose is unique, all share the vision and desire to improve the lives of individuals and families who live locally.
For the first time, SOS grantees will receive funds over a two-year period. At the 2024 awards ceremony, they received the first installment as listed below. A second installment will be awarded next fall.
The newly awarded nonprofits, seven of whom are first-time SOS recipients (identified with an asterisk), are as follows:
Avenues Counseling* – $15,000
Provides mental health counseling services to all who have a need, regardless of their ability to pay, including a new program for teenagers.
Black Girls Do STEM* – $25,000
Introduces historically marginalized girls from St. Louis communities to STEM programming in middle school, and continues support over a seven-year period.
Caritas Connections, Inc.* – $9,137
Serves the specific needs of area non-profits by purchasing, collecting, and providing items to clothe, feed, and assist the needy in our community.
Earthdance*– $25,000
Advances food justice by training organic farmers and gardeners of all ages, providing connection to healthy food and the land, and cultivating vibrant community.
earthday365* – $9,137
Supports an equitable and environmentally sustainable St. Louis region, including partnering with neighborhood organizations to combat illegal dumping.
Fairground Park for All* – $25,000
Works to regain regional and national status for Fairground Park in north St. Louis city as a vibrant outdoor public space.
Health Protection and Education Services – $13,350
Provides health education and screenings to residents to improve health outcomes, using multilanguage peer facilitators to better serve immigrant clients.
Laughing Bear Bakery* – $10,000
Offers employment and training for ex-offenders to facilitate a successful transition back into the community, providing an income, stability, and marketable skills.
Room at the Inn – $25,000
Provides emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness in our area, with expansion efforts underway to increase family sleeping rooms and service areas.
Rustic Roots* – $25,000
Teaches sustainable agriculture, offers free, fresh vegetables from the farm to elderly homebound residents, and creates a strong local food hub in north St. Louis County.
In addition to these awards, the following agency received a second grant installment as part of a three-year grant awarded in 2023.
Lift for Life Gym – $33,333
Offers children in St. Louis a safe, enriching environment where they can strengthen their bodies, enrich their minds, development healthy relationships, and learn to make positive life choices.
Click here for photos from the event by Katherine Bish photography.
To learn more about SOS and the difference it is making in the community, visit www.spiritstlwomensfund.org.
Contact: Barb Meyer, barbmeyer1980@gmail.com; 314-520-3100