Our grants support the accelerated change in conditions through policy, advocacy, and/or organizing efforts building and wielding power to transform systems to respond to the will of the people. Deaconess, through trusted relationships and grant funding, expects impact in abolishing racial and structural inequities that are felt in the day-to-day lives of all people across the Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois footprint. To this end, the mantle is placed on Deaconess’ funded partners with us to play a key and critical role in the movement laying the groundwork for liberation and community well-being.
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RESULTS

Deaconess provides flexible funding to nonprofit organizations in support of coalition and base building, grassroots advocacy, community organizing, public policy development/change, and advocacy efforts that pursue positive systemic change for the improved health and wellness of all people in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. We expect efforts supported through these grants to propel our work and the movement for community well-being in alignment with our strategy to achieve liberation in seven generations.
Health Care
All children of the St. Louis region should have universal access to comprehensive mental, physical and dental care, supported by a trauma informed care approach, a network of school-based health centers and the benefits of Medicaid expansion.
Economic Mobility
Families in the St. Louis region should be able to achieve economic stability within one generation in an environment marked by fair chance employment practices, family-supporting wages and asset-building supports.
Justice and Equity
All children of the St. Louis region should receive just treatment under the law, with specific emphasis on contact with the state’s systems for juvenile justice and foster and adoptive care.

Early Childhood Education

All children of the St. Louis region should enjoy full access to quality early childhood care and education from birth to Pre-Kindergarten.
Cycle 2 of Seeding the Future Grants will be open from April 1 - May 31, 2024. Learn more below.
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2024 Opportunities
Community-Stewarded Funds
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Description

Seeding the Future Grants are general operating funds awarded for one year to organizations with proposals that align with Deaconess’ intended impact. Funding supports organizational and civic infrastructure expansion, advancement of public policies, and/or efforts impacting systems transformation through an intergenerational approach for the improved health and wellness of people in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. This grant is designed to cultivate a partnership pipeline for the Movement Transformation Cohort.

As part of trust-based philanthropy practices, Deaconess uses guided and ongoing discussions with our partners to identify progress and areas of support in lieu of a reporting process for this grant.

Request for Proposals Opening & Closing Dates

The online portal will be open during the cycle dates listed below. To be considered for a cycle's review, requests for proposals must be submitted by 11:59 pm on the closing dates.

    Cycle 1
    Request for proposals closed

    Cycle 2
    Request for proposals opens and will be available: Monday, April 1, 2024
    Request for proposals closes: Friday, May 31, 2024

    Cycle 3
    Request for proposals opens and will be available: Monday, July 1, 2024
    Request for proposals closes: Friday, August 30, 2024

    Cycle 4
    Request for proposals opens and will be available: Monday, September 30, 2024
    Request for proposals closes: Friday, November 8, 2024

    Award

    • General operating awards are $20,000 annually per awarded organization.
    • Grants will be awarded for one year and are non-renewable.

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    Collaborative Grants