Home - Deaconess Foundation

We invest in organizing, advocacy and policy change in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Why it matters

It is difficult to survive and thrive in a racist set of systems.

“It is incredibly difficult to characterize the challenges or opportunities for improvement because it’s all compounded. Each issue dramatically impacts the others. The entire system is interconnected and broken…creating pain in every area. The compound effect of it all is crushing.”

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Recent News

June Newsletter | Love Is the Lasso

Deaconess Community, This Pride Month, I offer my reflection with vulnerability—trusting that readers can hold space and tension and can…

Missouri & Illinois Legislative Recap 2025

With the Missouri and Illinois legislative sessions over, we wanted to take a moment to both highlight recent wins and…

May Newsletter | Togetherness

Deaconess Community, It’s been 14 days since an EF3 tornado carved a 23 mile path of destruction across our St.…

We support and learn from our region’s leading community organizations.

Partner Highlight

Rustic Roots Sanctuary

Rustic Roots Sanctuary is a sustainable farm and retreat space located in the Spanish Lake community of North St. Louis County. It is intended as a holistic healing space for residents...

Partner Highlight

MOVE

The Missouri Organizing and Voter Engagement Collaborative (MOVE) exists to empower ordinary people to reclaim democracy in the state of...

Children’s Advocates for Change

Children’s Advocates for Change promotes the needs of Illinois children through public forums, social media, and advocacy work with elected...

The T

The T is a nonprofit organization that promotes holistic healing from trauma related to bullet injuries and overdose in St....

Action St. Louis and United Congregations of Metro East

The greater St. Louis region experienced historic flooding in late July, with the most devastating impact located in predominantly Black communities....

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Latest Tweets

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

It's Black Philanthropy Month, which brings together donors, nonprofits, and community members to celebrate and invest in Black-led change. This year's theme Sankofa Now! is more than a reflection; it’s a rallying call to remember our philanthropic roots: https://ow.ly/L7hQ50WCZVb

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

This past weekend at the St. Louis Racial Equity Summit we celebrated the successes and lessons of the Racial Healing + Justice Fund and its continuation beyond the pilot! To learn more about the Fund and future funding opportunities follow @StlChange!

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Join us for learning sessions to refine and strengthen our collective capacity to advance community well-being!

For the August 19 session, learn more and register here: https://fs29.formsite.com/dKn5NW/jmcfpiplay/index

For the August 21 session, learn more and register here: https://fs29.formsite.com/dKn5NW/kc9yusjdad/index

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

It's Black Philanthropy Month, which brings together donors, nonprofits, and community members to celebrate and invest in Black-led change. This year's theme Sankofa Now! is more than a reflection; it’s a rallying call to remember our philanthropic roots: https://ow.ly/L7hQ50WCZVb

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

This past weekend at the St. Louis Racial Equity Summit we celebrated the successes and lessons of the Racial Healing + Justice Fund and its continuation beyond the pilot! To learn more about the Fund and future funding opportunities follow @StlChange!

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Join us for learning sessions to refine and strengthen our collective capacity to advance community well-being!

For the August 19 session, learn more and register here: https://fs29.formsite.com/dKn5NW/jmcfpiplay/index

For the August 21 session, learn more and register here: https://fs29.formsite.com/dKn5NW/kc9yusjdad/index

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

It's Black Philanthropy Month, which brings together donors, nonprofits, and community members to celebrate and invest in Black-led change. This year's theme Sankofa Now! is more than a reflection; it’s a rallying call to remember our philanthropic roots: https://ow.ly/L7hQ50WCZVb

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

This past weekend at the St. Louis Racial Equity Summit we celebrated the successes and lessons of the Racial Healing + Justice Fund and its continuation beyond the pilot! To learn more about the Fund and future funding opportunities follow @StlChange!

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Join us for learning sessions to refine and strengthen our collective capacity to advance community well-being!

For the August 19 session, learn more and register here: https://fs29.formsite.com/dKn5NW/jmcfpiplay/index

For the August 21 session, learn more and register here: https://fs29.formsite.com/dKn5NW/kc9yusjdad/index

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

It's Black Philanthropy Month, which brings together donors, nonprofits, and community members to celebrate and invest in Black-led change. This year's theme Sankofa Now! is more than a reflection; it’s a rallying call to remember our philanthropic roots: https://ow.ly/L7hQ50WCZVb

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

This past weekend at the St. Louis Racial Equity Summit we celebrated the successes and lessons of the Racial Healing + Justice Fund and its continuation beyond the pilot! To learn more about the Fund and future funding opportunities follow @StlChange!

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Join us for learning sessions to refine and strengthen our collective capacity to advance community well-being!

For the August 19 session, learn more and register here: https://fs29.formsite.com/dKn5NW/jmcfpiplay/index

For the August 21 session, learn more and register here: https://fs29.formsite.com/dKn5NW/kc9yusjdad/index