History
For more than 100 years, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word have cared for the people of St. Louis and the surrounding communities.
1997
The Foundation was established with an initial gift of $30 million to continue their mission of caring in the area. That first year, we awarded five initial grants and have grown to award 50 grants throughout each calendar year.
2003
Our work really began as we know it today with the creation of grant focus areas to initially address immigration, domestic violence, and women’s incarceration. Our focus areas continue to change in response to the needs of the community.
2005
We began our first place-based funding efforts and centralized investment into the Benton Park West neighborhood. Since then we have worked in many neighborhoods throughout St. Louis including Penrose, O’Fallon, The Ville, Dutchtown, and Gravois Park. In 2007, as a result of a mission trip to Zambia, we began a micro-lending program in St. Louis. From this work came the Women’s Helping Hands Bank.
2010
We expanded placed-based funding in North St. Louis and also created the Marketplace of Ideas: a small neighborhood funding program. As a response to a spike in gun violence, we launched STL Youth Jobs in partnership with the Mayor of St. Louis and MERS Goodwill to provide employment opportunities to youth in specific neighborhoods. Shortly after this, our executive director, Bridget McDermott Flood, was asked to serve as the co-chair of the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Violence Prevention in St. Louis.
2015
In response to the civil rights unrest in Ferguson, MO, we came together with nine other foundations to address racial inequities in the juvenile justice system in St. Louis. In 2016, we started another place based funding effort on the South Side in Dutchtown and Gravois Park.
2018
Co-founded St. Joseph Housing Initiative, an ecumenical nonprofit which rehabs housing for low-to-moderate income individuals and families to build wealth in the Black and Latinx communities. Currently operates in Dutchtown and Baden neighborhoods in partnership with faith groups, volunteers, and contractors from the communities.
Co-founded St. Louis Art Place Initiative (with Kranzberg Foundation and RAC) to provide low-income home ownership opportunities for artists (primarily POC) in the Gravois Park neighborhood using 26 LRA parcels in a four-block area. Includes a variation of the land trust model in order to ensure that homes remain permanently affordable in a neighborhood experiencing the beginnings of gentrification.
2023
Major projects funded included Bridge of Hope in Lincoln County’s emergency housing and crisis center, St. Louis Survivors Legal Services growth, and St. Joseph Housing Initiative’s expansion to North St. Louis. We hosted panel presentations and roundtable discussions on Maternal & Infant Health, serving Hispanic communities in Missouri, and a Food Pantry Networking event. The 2023 General Grant Cycle garnered more than 276 Letters of Intent! Ultimately, 59 organizations were awarded grants.
Today
We continue to expand our efforts to act as a catalyst for change. We serve as a convener, grant maker, educator, collaborator, and advocate addressing the root causes of poverty and injustice.
Mission
As a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word.
Vision
A strong, inclusive, and equitable society where all may prosper.
Values
Our community footprint includes under-resourced communities throughout Missouri and East Saint Louis. Each year the Foundation prioritizes certain neighborhoods based on research and community need.
These are the expectations we have of ourselves, our work, and the people and organizations
with whom we partner, now and in the future:
Equity
Recognizing that each person and community has different circumstances therefore require unique resources and support
Respect
Accepting others on an equal basis and giving them the same consideration you would expect for yourself
Compassion
Having concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others
Inclusion
Providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded
Dignity
Believing and acting as though all people hold a special value that’s tied solely to their humanity
Joy
Finding, feeling, and sharing great pleasure and happiness in life and in community with others
Love
Unselfish consideration for the good of another
Latest Updates
To see all news, events, and updates, please visit the archive here.
Our Team
We are blessed with to have such passionate, hard-working individuals on our Staff and Board.
