ST. LOUIS, MO (February 10, 2023) – Deaconess Foundation (Deaconess) is currently accepting proposals for up to $100,000 to support public policy efforts that pursue change through grassroots advocacy, civic engagement, and community organizing. The Foundation is seeking applications from community organizations, coalitions, and public campaigns positioned to focus energy on the civic engagement required to advance public policy change efforts.

“Deaconess’ Policy Campaign/Collaborative Grants aim to support efforts that advance coordinated local or state public policy advocacy and organizing campaigns to drive meaningful, systemic change aligned with the Foundation’s desired impact for children and families,” said Bethany Johnson-Javois, president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation. “With the ever-evolving legislative and electoral landscape we are committed to investing in opportunities that are well-positioned to advance policy change. We want to incentivize collaboration to achieve big policy wins. We know that now is the time to activate.”

We have seen success deploying this strategy. In 2019, Deaconess invested $100,000 in Missouri Jobs with Justice and Action St. Louis to support a 2020 collaborative public policy campaign to help achieve Medicaid Expansion and democracy reform in Missouri. The organizations collaborated as campaign partners, focused on mobilizing their combined base. The partnership resulted in helping to mobilize the electorate in support of Medicaid Expansion to the November 2020 ballot.

Grants will be awarded for one year and can be made to one or more organizations/campaigns, with future Policy Campaign/Collaborative Grants being offered again in early 2024. The maximum grant award will be $100,000 with no less than $50,000 awarded per organization/campaign. The grants are for general operating support to advance timely public policy change efforts.

Organizations must submit proposals for Policy Campaign/Collaborative Grants at deaconess.org/apply-for-funding by Monday, February 27, 2023.

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Deaconess Foundation is an institutional advocate that invests and mobilizes people, policy, and power for the well-being of children and their families. A ministry of the United Church of Christ, Deaconess has invested more than $85 million to improve the health of the St. Louis community since 1998. The Foundation’s advocacy and grantmaking footprint includes St. Louis City, St. Louis, Jefferson, St. Charles and Franklin Counties in Missouri and Madison, St. Clair and Monroe Counties in Illinois. For more information, visit deaconess.org Follow the Foundation on Twitter and Instagram @deaconessfound and on Facebook at facebook.com/deaconessfoundation.