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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

December Newsletter | RelationSHIFT: Lessons from the Life of Naomi

Deaconess Community, As the year bends toward its close, the world itself feels like it is exhaling from the exhaustion…

Featured image for “Deaconess Foundation Awards $450,000 to Organizations Dedicated to Youth and Older Adults in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois”

Deaconess Foundation Awards $450,000 to Organizations Dedicated to Youth and Older Adults in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois

The community-stewarded grantmaking approach identified key cross-generational themes in the types of support needed by both seniors and young people…

July/August Newsletter | A Reckoning that Calls Us to Reflect and Rebuild

Deaconess Community, As summer turns to fall, our region is not merely reflecting — it is reckoning. The May 16…

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

Only a few more weeks remain to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants! The grants offer up to $100,000 in general operating support for timely and urgent issue-based campaigns. Interested organizations can learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/r9Xb50XTK4y. #funding #grants #RFP

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our President and CEO, Bethany Johnson-Javois, recently wrote a piece that was featured in @StLouisAmerican. She explores lessons that can be learned from Naomi in the book of Ruth and how these lessons can be applied as the year comes to a close. https://ow.ly/GnNs50XJK55

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

January 30th is the deadline to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants which offer up to $100,000 in general operating support for timely issue-based campaigns that advance public policy through voter engagement, civic activation, and community organizing. https://ow.ly/NgHZ50XGvAx.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Only a few more weeks remain to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants! The grants offer up to $100,000 in general operating support for timely and urgent issue-based campaigns. Interested organizations can learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/r9Xb50XTK4y. #funding #grants #RFP

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our President and CEO, Bethany Johnson-Javois, recently wrote a piece that was featured in @StLouisAmerican. She explores lessons that can be learned from Naomi in the book of Ruth and how these lessons can be applied as the year comes to a close. https://ow.ly/GnNs50XJK55

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

January 30th is the deadline to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants which offer up to $100,000 in general operating support for timely issue-based campaigns that advance public policy through voter engagement, civic activation, and community organizing. https://ow.ly/NgHZ50XGvAx.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Only a few more weeks remain to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants! The grants offer up to $100,000 in general operating support for timely and urgent issue-based campaigns. Interested organizations can learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/r9Xb50XTK4y. #funding #grants #RFP

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our President and CEO, Bethany Johnson-Javois, recently wrote a piece that was featured in @StLouisAmerican. She explores lessons that can be learned from Naomi in the book of Ruth and how these lessons can be applied as the year comes to a close. https://ow.ly/GnNs50XJK55

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

January 30th is the deadline to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants which offer up to $100,000 in general operating support for timely issue-based campaigns that advance public policy through voter engagement, civic activation, and community organizing. https://ow.ly/NgHZ50XGvAx.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Only a few more weeks remain to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants! The grants offer up to $100,000 in general operating support for timely and urgent issue-based campaigns. Interested organizations can learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/r9Xb50XTK4y. #funding #grants #RFP

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our President and CEO, Bethany Johnson-Javois, recently wrote a piece that was featured in @StLouisAmerican. She explores lessons that can be learned from Naomi in the book of Ruth and how these lessons can be applied as the year comes to a close. https://ow.ly/GnNs50XJK55

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

January 30th is the deadline to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants which offer up to $100,000 in general operating support for timely issue-based campaigns that advance public policy through voter engagement, civic activation, and community organizing. https://ow.ly/NgHZ50XGvAx.