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.

Policy Campaign Grant cycle is open through Friday, January 30, 2026.

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Funding Opportunities

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 Grant OPPORTUNITIES

Description
Policy Campaign Grants provide up to $100,000 in general operating support for timely and urgent issue-based campaigns that advance public policy through voter engagement, civic activation, and community organizing aligned with our desired impacts.

Policy campaign grants are designed to infuse resources into grassroots infrastructure at critical moments in campaign cycles, ensuring movements have the people, tools, and momentum needed to advance transformational justice. This component of Deaconess’ grantmaking strategy is designed to accelerate deep, systemic policy change—moving beyond surface-level reforms and centering leadership from the communities most affected.

Grants may support:

  1. Efforts which advance coordinated local or state public policy advocacy and organizing campaigns driving meaningful, systemic change
  2. Expansion of organizing capacity to respond to the ever-evolving legislative and electoral landscape
  3. Opportunistic or innovative initiatives that are well-positioned to advance policy change (i.e. ballot initiatives, voter expansion, access, and rights, etc.)

Grants will be awarded for one year and may be awarded to collaborative efforts (multiple organizations applying under one application).

Request for Proposals

  • Request for proposals period opens December 1, 2025.
  • Request for proposals period closes January 30, 2026.
  • To be considered for a cycle’s review, requests for proposals must be submitted by 11:59 pm on the closing date.

Award

  • The total distribution amount that will be awarded is $100,000 for general operating funds.
  • Grants will be awarded for one year and are non-renewable.

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Community-Stewarded Funds
Historical Grants
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