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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

February Newsletter | The Political Imagination We Inherit

Deaconess Community, On February 17, 2026, life slowed as we paused to honor the life and legacy of the Rev.…

January Newsletter | Democracy Under Fire and ICE

Deaconess Community, This past month has been marked by deep loss and moral reckoning. We grieve the deaths of Keith…

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…

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

2020 Public Policy Campaign Partners

During the Just 4 Kids Community Conversation on November 18, 2019 we announced an investment of $100,000 to support a...

Action St. Louis Tenant Organizing

Action St. Louis is the Deaconess Foundation’s Reverend Buck Jones Memorial Grant for Tenant Organizing partner, Rev. Starsky Wilson, president...

Leading Liberation Retreat Series

As an institution grounded in the pursuit of healing, Deaconess Foundation seeks to invest in holistic opportunities for enhanced health...

Forward Through Ferguson

After the death of Michael Brown, Jr. on Aug. 9, 2014, “Ferguson” came to symbolize racial strife and inequality in...

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Latest Tweets

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

In Deaconess Foundation's January eNewsletter, President & CEO Bethany Johnson-Javois offers a healing balm as we move forward in this season of uncertainty in Minneapolis and throughout our nation. Read her full piece in the January eNewsletter here: https://ow.ly/Upjj50Y6s3W.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

This Friday is the last day to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants! Organizations that operate within the Deaconess Foundation footprint of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois can learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/VlyZ50Y1pLe. #funding #grants #applications #apply #RFP

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our Policy Campaign Grant cycle is open until 1/30 and may support: efforts which advance public policy advocacy, expansion of organizing capacity to respond to the legislative landscape, or initiatives that are well-positioned to advance policy change. https://deaconess.org/funding-opportunities/.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

In Deaconess Foundation's January eNewsletter, President & CEO Bethany Johnson-Javois offers a healing balm as we move forward in this season of uncertainty in Minneapolis and throughout our nation. Read her full piece in the January eNewsletter here: https://ow.ly/Upjj50Y6s3W.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

This Friday is the last day to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants! Organizations that operate within the Deaconess Foundation footprint of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois can learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/VlyZ50Y1pLe. #funding #grants #applications #apply #RFP

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our Policy Campaign Grant cycle is open until 1/30 and may support: efforts which advance public policy advocacy, expansion of organizing capacity to respond to the legislative landscape, or initiatives that are well-positioned to advance policy change. https://deaconess.org/funding-opportunities/.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

In Deaconess Foundation's January eNewsletter, President & CEO Bethany Johnson-Javois offers a healing balm as we move forward in this season of uncertainty in Minneapolis and throughout our nation. Read her full piece in the January eNewsletter here: https://ow.ly/Upjj50Y6s3W.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

This Friday is the last day to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants! Organizations that operate within the Deaconess Foundation footprint of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois can learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/VlyZ50Y1pLe. #funding #grants #applications #apply #RFP

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our Policy Campaign Grant cycle is open until 1/30 and may support: efforts which advance public policy advocacy, expansion of organizing capacity to respond to the legislative landscape, or initiatives that are well-positioned to advance policy change. https://deaconess.org/funding-opportunities/.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

In Deaconess Foundation's January eNewsletter, President & CEO Bethany Johnson-Javois offers a healing balm as we move forward in this season of uncertainty in Minneapolis and throughout our nation. Read her full piece in the January eNewsletter here: https://ow.ly/Upjj50Y6s3W.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

This Friday is the last day to apply for our Policy Campaign Grants! Organizations that operate within the Deaconess Foundation footprint of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois can learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/VlyZ50Y1pLe. #funding #grants #applications #apply #RFP

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our Policy Campaign Grant cycle is open until 1/30 and may support: efforts which advance public policy advocacy, expansion of organizing capacity to respond to the legislative landscape, or initiatives that are well-positioned to advance policy change. https://deaconess.org/funding-opportunities/.