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

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…

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…

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

The future of the St. Louis Housing Eviction Law Program is uncertain after receiving just a fraction of its proposed funding in its first year. Advocates are calling for full funding for the program from the City. Learn more from @stlpublicradio here: https://ow.ly/O9AA50XAkuA.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Deaconess Center will be closed December 15 to January 15 for our Winter Sabbath. Learn more about our convening hours here: https://ow.ly/JrNW50XuYlq

#DeaconessCenter #stlouis #stl #missouri #illinois

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our RFP is now open for our Policy Campaign Grants! These grants offer up to $100,000 for timely and urgent issue-based campaigns that advance public policy through voter engagement, civic activation, and community organizing. Learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/HhNN50XATgh.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

The future of the St. Louis Housing Eviction Law Program is uncertain after receiving just a fraction of its proposed funding in its first year. Advocates are calling for full funding for the program from the City. Learn more from @stlpublicradio here: https://ow.ly/O9AA50XAkuA.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Deaconess Center will be closed December 15 to January 15 for our Winter Sabbath. Learn more about our convening hours here: https://ow.ly/JrNW50XuYlq

#DeaconessCenter #stlouis #stl #missouri #illinois

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our RFP is now open for our Policy Campaign Grants! These grants offer up to $100,000 for timely and urgent issue-based campaigns that advance public policy through voter engagement, civic activation, and community organizing. Learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/HhNN50XATgh.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

The future of the St. Louis Housing Eviction Law Program is uncertain after receiving just a fraction of its proposed funding in its first year. Advocates are calling for full funding for the program from the City. Learn more from @stlpublicradio here: https://ow.ly/O9AA50XAkuA.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Deaconess Center will be closed December 15 to January 15 for our Winter Sabbath. Learn more about our convening hours here: https://ow.ly/JrNW50XuYlq

#DeaconessCenter #stlouis #stl #missouri #illinois

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our RFP is now open for our Policy Campaign Grants! These grants offer up to $100,000 for timely and urgent issue-based campaigns that advance public policy through voter engagement, civic activation, and community organizing. Learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/HhNN50XATgh.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

The future of the St. Louis Housing Eviction Law Program is uncertain after receiving just a fraction of its proposed funding in its first year. Advocates are calling for full funding for the program from the City. Learn more from @stlpublicradio here: https://ow.ly/O9AA50XAkuA.

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Deaconess Center will be closed December 15 to January 15 for our Winter Sabbath. Learn more about our convening hours here: https://ow.ly/JrNW50XuYlq

#DeaconessCenter #stlouis #stl #missouri #illinois

Deaconess Foundation @deaconessfound

Our RFP is now open for our Policy Campaign Grants! These grants offer up to $100,000 for timely and urgent issue-based campaigns that advance public policy through voter engagement, civic activation, and community organizing. Learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/HhNN50XATgh.