News Releases

NEWS RELEASE July 12, 2011 (Available for download in PDF)

Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund Elects 2011-12 Board Members and Officers

ST. LOUIS – The 225-plus members of the Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund have elected Felice Joyce as president for a two-year term.  She succeeds Vicki Sheehan, president of Sheehan Investment Services, and has served on several nonprofit boards, including the Congregation Shaare-Emeth and St. Louis’ Interfaith Partnership/Faith Beyond Walls.
Also joining the SOS 2011-12 board of directors are Terry Bernstein, Gretta Forrester-Gaffney, Barbara Nikolychik, Dorte Probstein, Nancy Rodney and Meghan Sheehan.

Assuming new leadership positions are board members Linda Finerty, treasurer and finance review co-chair; Laura Friedman, grant-making co-chair; Kathy Frost, membership chair; Linda Grayson, grant-making co-chair; Melissa Jones, communications chair; Elaine Queathem, interim vice president and website co-chair; Nancy Rodney, education chair; Vicki Sheehan, nominating chair; and Ann Sutter, finance review co-chair. 

The new board members join Susan Block; Leslie Corey, impact chair; Lynn Dole; Laure Hullverson; Parker McMillan, website co-chair; Lisa Nouss; Shelby Schagrin, founder of SOS; Mary Schoolman; and Gwen Wesley.

Founded in 2006, the Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund connects women across the St. Louis region to collectively strengthen the community through informed, focused grant-making.  The group, a component fund of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, has more than 225 members.  Each member contributes $1,200 a year, with 90 percent of all member gifts used to fund grants to St. Louis-area nonprofit organizations.  In 2011, SOS achieved the $909,500 milestone in charitable giving with a total of 64 grants to 41 area nonprofit organizations over a span of five years.  To learn more about SOS, visit www.soswomensfund.org or call (314) 880-4968.

Editor’s note:  The Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund is located at the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation at 319 N. 4th St. in St. Louis, Mo. (63102).

Felice Joyce is a resident of Ladue, Mo. (63124).
SOS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ORGANIZED BY ZIP CODE OF RESIDENCE:

Leslie Corey resides in Chesterfield, Mo. (63017).

Gwen Wesley resides in Florissant, Mo. (63034).

Melissa Jones< lives in Maryland Heights, Mo. (63043).

Terry Bernstein Laura Friedman, Barbara Nikolychik, Lisa Nouss, Shelby Schagrin and Mary Schoolman reside in Clayton, Mo. (63105).

Susan Block, Gretta Forrester-Gaffney andLinda Grayson live in St. Louis’ Central West End (63108).

Ann Sutter resides in South St. Louis City, Mo. (63116).

Linda Finerty, Elaine Queathem and Vicki Sheehan are residents of Webster Groves, Mo. (63119).

Laure Hullverson, Felice Joyce, Parker McMillan and Dorte Probstein live in Ladue, Mo. (63124).

Nancy Rodney lives in Sunset Hills, Mo. (63126).

Lynn Dole and Kathy Frost live in Creve Coeur, Mo. (63141).

Meghan Sheehanresides in Brentwood, Mo. (63144).

NEWS RELEASE June 10, 2011

For more information, contact Marie Casey or Christy Redmond at 314/721-2828.

St. Louis Women Celebrate Five Years of Giving!
Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund Awards $209,500 in
Charitable Grants to 13 St. Louis Area Nonprofit Organizations

Total Grants Top $900,000, Bucking Stagnant National Grant-Making Trend

ST. LOUIS – National grant-making trends detailed in the Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates, Current Outlook report from the Foundation Center (issued April 2011) show charitable foundation giving in the United States was stagnant between 2009 and 2010.  Yet for the fifth consecutive year, coinciding with its fifth anniversary, the Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund has increased annual giving to the St. Louis community.

SOS recently awarded grants totaling $209,500 to 13 nonprofits, a 4.75 percent increase over 2010 grant awards.  Since its founding in 2006, SOS has awarded $909,500 in 64 grants to support 41 grassroots nonprofits across metro St. Louis.  Grants were presented at a ceremony held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of SOS on June 2, 2011 at which Deborah Godwin, associate director of the St. Louis Community College (STLCC) Foundation, served as keynote speaker.  Since 1999, the STLCC Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to more than 8,000 students.

In 2011, 124 St. Louis-area organizations requested grants exceeding a total of $4.3 million from SOS.  The 2011 grant recipients, their mission and their grant awards follow:

• Aim High St. Louis offers a tuition-free academic enrichment program to empower and motivate high-risk, low-income middle school students; $25,000.

• Almost Home provides housing, life skills and training to previously homeless teenage mothers and their children seeking to break the cycle of poverty; $10,000.

• The Belle Center promotes a progressive, family-centered inclusive approach to education and community life that supports children with severe disabilities; $12,000.

• Gateway Greening promotes urban neighborhood vitality and stability, healthy living and quality of life through community food projects, education and wellness programs; $25,000.

• Gateway to Hope arranges breast cancer treatment for uninsured and underinsured individuals who are not eligible for publicly funded treatment programs; $7,500.

• Let’s Start assists women and the children and families of women transitioning from life in prison back into society; $15,000.

• The Little Bit Foundation builds partnerships with St. Louis schools to provide essential support to disadvantaged children; $20,000.

• Lydia’s House helps victims of domestic violence with transitional housing, community resources and long-term planning for education, employment, childcare and housing; $20,000.

• Project Backpack provides backpacks filled with personal necessities and comfort items to children removed from their homes due to neglect and domestic violence; $15,000.

• South Side Day Nursery offers year-round childcare, educational services and support to improve the health and development of economically disadvantaged children and their families; $20,000.

• St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (HELP) provides individuals with mobility problems and disabilities access to free assistive technology medical equipment; $10,000.

• Volunteers in Medicine provides free clinics to serve the uninsured and underinsured in St. Charles and Lincoln counties; $20,000.

• Walker Scottish Rite Clinic for Childhood Language Disorder teaches two- through six-year-old children with speech and language disorders communication skills needed to succeed in life; $10,000.

Intensive application reviews and onsite visits are part of the group’s member-driven selection process.  Organizations that meet the high standards of SOS are voted on (one member-one vote) to ensure equal and fair selection.

Founded in 2006, the Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund connects women across the St. Louis region to collectively strengthen the community through informed, focused grant-making.  The group, a component fund of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, has more than 200 members.  Each member contributes $1,200 a year, with 90 percent of all member gifts directed to fund grants.  In 2011, SOS achieved the $909,500 milestone in charitable giving with a total of 64 grants to 41 area nonprofit organizations over a span of five years.  To learn more or join SOS, visit www.soswomensfund.org or call (314) 880-4968.###
Editor’s note:  The Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund is located at the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation at 319 N. 4th St. in St. Louis, Mo. (63102).

The 200-plus members of the Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund awarded charitable grants totaling $209,500 to 13 St. Louis-area nonprofit organizations at its fifth annual grant awards ceremony on June 2, 2011.  Representatives from each organization gather for a quick photo with SOS leadership.  Since its founding in 2006, SOS has awarded $909,500 in 64 grants to support 41 nonprofit groups.   

Dennis Woldum and Mara Higdon (center, from left), both of Gateway Greening, smile with SOS President Vicki Sheehan (far left) and SOS Grant-making Chair Felice Joyce (far right).  Gateway Greening received a $25,000 grant from SOS.

(from left) Rhonda Gray of Almost Home mingles with Shirley Lester and Annetta Williams, both of Let’s Start.  Almost Home received a $10,000 grant from SOS; Let’s Start received a $15,000 grant.

(from left) Holly Swift and Lainey Miazga, both of The Belle Center, meet with SOS member Susan Lipstein.  The Belle Center received a $12,000 grant from SOS.

SOS Founder Shelby Schagrin (center) with SOS board members Dorte Probstein (far left) and Mary Schoolman (far right) before the annual grant awards ceremony begins.

(from left) SOS board members Gwen Wesley and Terry Bernstein at SOS’ fifth annual grant awards ceremony.

NEWS RELEASE                                              January 28, 2011

For more information, contact Christy Redmond or Marie Casey at Casey Communications, Inc., 314.721.2828.

SOS “Discovering Our Community” Forum Set for Feb. 5
Speakers To Discuss Critical Needs to Inform Area Philanthropy

The Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund (SOS) is sponsoring its first “Discovering Our Community” forum on Saturday, February 5, from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Charles F. Knight Executive Education Center on the Washington University campus.  The registration fee is $25 per person.

Designed to equip SOS members and guests with information critical to understanding the needs of our community, this forum will feature expert speakers who will talk about the hot topics and emerging trends in SOS’ five funding focus areas: education, health, environment, social services, and arts and culture.

“SOS members believe in joining together to give for greater impact,” says Vicki Sheehan, president of SOS.  “By combining our dollars, it is easy to see how we can have a greater impact together than we can by making individual gifts.  I believe the importance of combining our collective knowledge, experience and education can be an even greater influence on the effectiveness of our giving.”

The morning will begin with Mike Muin of the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center to discuss economic and workforce trends.  Speakers addressing the five focus areas include Dan Buck, former director of St. Patrick’s Center and now executive director of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, who will address social service needs in the area, and Cynthia Prost, president, Arts and Education Council.  Prost will speak about cultural currency and the value of creativity today.

With environmental problems often affecting the poor disproportionately, Dr. Timothy Keane, executive director and dean of the St. Louis University Center for Sustainability, will discuss the case for humanistic sustainability. “Sustainability can be interpreted in many ways, but when you consider it from an ethics perspective, we can recognize there is an urgent need to change from the irresponsible consumption and unbridled development of the past,” says Keane.

Rounding out the day’s speakers will be Dr. James Kimmey, president and CEO of Missouri Foundation for Health, discussing the impact of health care reform, and Dr. Don Senti, interim superintendent, Parkway School District, talking about student needs and options in St. Louis.

Founded in 2006, the Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund connects women across the St. Louis region to collectively strengthen the community through informed, focused grant-making.  The group, a component fund of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, has more than 200 members.  Each member contributes $1,200 a year, with 90% of all member gifts used to fund grants to St. Louis area nonprofit organizations.  In 2010, SOS achieved the $700,000 milestone in charitable giving with a total of 51 grants to 38 area nonprofit organizations over a span of four years.  To learn more about SOS, visit www.soswomensfund.org or call (314) 880-4968.

NEWS RELEASE September 2, 2010

ST. LOUIS – The 200-plus members of the philanthropic Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women's Fund have kicked off their 2010-2011 grant season by inviting St. Louis area nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to be awarded in June 2011.

Groups must register online and submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to be considered for one of SOS' 2011 grants. Total funding available is expected to exceed $200,000. Grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000. Granting information, organization guidelines, registration and LOI submission details are available online at www.soswomensfund.org. All LOIs must be emailed no later than Friday, Oct. 15, 2010.

In June 2010, SOS granted $200,000 to 15 area nonprofit organizations. Nearly 90 St. Louis-area organizations requested grants exceeding $4.5 million. The expressed need was more than double the amount requested in 2009.

LOIs help SOS members evaluate proposed project feasibility and community needs. Grant applicants must be a 501(c)3 operating in and serving the East-West Gateway Region, comprised of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County and Jefferson County in Missouri, and Madison, St. Clair and Monroe Counties in Illinois. SOS supports projects which focus on one of five areas: arts and culture; education; environment; health; and social services. SOS typically funds organizations addressing critical community needs with operating budgets in the range of $1 million.

SOS member teams will notify organizations whether or not they qualify to submit full grant applications by late November. Full grant proposals are due on Jan. 7, 2011. Grant application reviews and site visits follow from January through April 2011. In May, SOS members will vote on the basis of "one member, one vote" to ensure equal and fair selection. Grants will be awarded in June 2011 at the organization's fifth anniversary celebration.

Founded in 2006, the Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women's Fund connects women across the St. Louis region to collectively strengthen the community through informed, focused grant-making. The group, a component fund of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, has more than 200 members. Each member contributes $1,200 a year, with 90 percent of all member gifts used to fund grants to local nonprofit organizations. In 2010, SOS achieved the $700,000 milestone in charitable giving with a total of 51 grants to 38 nonprofits over a span of four years. To join or learn more about SOS, visit www.soswomensfund.org or call (314) 880-4968. ###

NEWS RELEASE                                          July 12, 2010

For more information, contact Christy Redmond or Marie Casey at 314/721-2828.

Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund Elects 2010-11 Board Members
Available for download in PDF

ST. LOUIS – The 200-plus members of the philanthropic Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fundhave elected the 2010-2011 board of directors.

The new board members join Marie Casey, communications chair; Lynn Dole; Linda Finerty, education chair; Felice Joyce, grant-making chair; Parker McMillan, website chair; Elaine Queathem, immediate past grant-making co-chair; Mary Schoolman, impact co-chair; Ann Sutter, treasurer; and Gwen Wesley, membership co-chair.

Founded in 2006, the Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund connects women across the St. Louis region to collectively strengthen the community through informed, focused grant-making.  The group, a component fund of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, has more than 200 members.  Each member contributes $1,200 a year, with 90 percent of all member gifts used to fund grants to local nonprofit organizations.  In 2010, SOS achieved the $700,000 milestone in charitable giving with a total of 51 grants to 38 nonprofits over a span of four years.  To learn more about SOS, visit "http://www.soswomensfund.org" or call (314) 880-4968. ###

Editor’s note:  The Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund is located at the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation at 319 N. 4th St. in St. Louis, Mo. (63102).

SOS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ORGANIZED BY ZIP CODE OF RESIDENCE:
Gwen Wesley resides in Florissant, Mo. (63034).

Melissa Jones lives in Maryland Heights, Mo. (63043).

Marie Casey, Laura Friedman, Lisa Nouss, Shelby Schagrinand Mary Schoolman reside in Clayton, Mo. (63105).

Linda Grayson lives in St. Louis’ Central West End (63108).

Ann Sutter resides in South St. Louis City, Mo. (63116).

Linda Finerty, Elaine Queathem and Vicki Sheehan are residents of Webster Groves, Mo. (63119).

Laure Hullverson, Felice Joyce and Parker McMillan live in Ladue, Mo. (63124).

Susan Block and Leslie Corey resides in Town and Country, Mo. (63131).

Lynn Dole and Kathy Frost live in Creve Coeur, Mo. (63141).

St. Louis Women Give More!

Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women's Fund Awards $200,000 In Charitable Grants to 15 St. Louis Area Nonprofit Organizations.

Total Grants Top $700,000 in Four Years

ST. LOUIS – The economic recession is pummeling nonprofit groups across the country.  In 2009, more than 75,000 national grant-making foundations cut charitable giving by 8.4 percent – by far the largest annual decline on record, according to the Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates, Current Outlook report from the Foundation Center , issued April 2010.

Yet the Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund is bucking that downward trend with grant awards of $200,000 to 15 local nonprofits, a 2.5 percent increase over 2009 grant awards.  Since its founding in 2006, SOS has awarded a total of $700,000 in 51 grants to support 38 grassroots nonprofits across the greater St. Louis metropolitan area.  Grants were presented at a ceremony held in conjunction with SOS’ Annual Meeting on June 3, 2010 at Washington University’s Steinberg Hall.,

Bridget Flood, executive director of the St. Louis-based Incarnate Word Foundation, was keynote speaker for the award ceremony.  The foundation she leads is widely considered to be among the most impactful foundations in the St. Louis region, awarding $1 million in charitable grants in its most recent grant cycle.

In 2010, nearly 90 St. Louis-area organizations requested grants exceeding a total of $4.5 million from SOS.  The expressed need was more than double the amount requested in 2009.  The 2010 grant recipients, their mission and their grant awards follow:

• Aim High St. Louis offers a tuition-free academic enrichment program to empower and motivate high-risk, low-income middle school students; $25,000.

• ALIVE provides counseling, emergency “Nights of Safety” sanctuary and critical services to adults and children impacted by domestic abuse; $20,000.

• Almost Home provides housing and life skills to previously homeless teenage mothers and their children seeking to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty; $15,000.

• Angels’ Arms supports families fostering multiple children – all brothers and sisters – until a forever home is found so sibling groups are not separated; $15,000.

• Annie’s Hope – The Bereavement Center for Kids offers comprehensive bereavement support for children, teens and families suffering a significant loss; $10,000.

• The Belle Center promotes a progressive, family-centered inclusive approach to education and community life that supports children with severe disabilities; $12,000.

• Caring for Kids helps meet the urgent needs of children in crisis situations; $5,000.

• Circle of Concern feeds the hungry and provides long-term and emergency assistance to low-income families, including meals and activity bags for children during summer break; $10,000.

• Griffin Center (Catholic Urban Programs) provides free after-school tutoring, recreation and summer camps for children living in poverty-stricken areas; $11,000.

• Let’s Start assists women and the children and families of women transitioning from life in prison back into society; $9,500.

• Mildred Brady and Rena Martin Charitable Eye Foundation provides comprehensive eye care to the homeless and medically disenfranchised; $10,000.

• Ready Readers inspires at-risk preschool children to read by hosting readings and increasing exposure to books and stimulating activities; $15,000.

• St. Louis HELP provides individuals with mobility problems and disabilities access to free assistive technology medical equipment; $17,500.

• St. Louis Internship Program places high school students in job training and internship positions to increase knowledge, experience and confidence; $10,000.

• Volunteers in Medicine provides quality health care in free clinics to serve the uninsured and underinsured in St. Charles and Lincoln counties; $15,000.

Intensive application reviews and onsite visits are part of SOS’ member-driven selection process.  Organizations that meet SOS’ high standards of quality are voted on (one member-one vote) to ensure equal and fair selection.

Founded in 2006, the Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund connects women across the St. Louis region to collectively strengthen the community through informed, focused grant-making.  The group, a component fund of the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, has more than 200 members.  Each member contributes $1,200 a year, with 90 percent of all member gifts used to fund grants to St. Louis area nonprofit organizations.  In 2010, SOS achieved the $700,000 milestone in charitable giving with a total of 51 grants to 38 area nonprofit organizations over a span of four years.  To learn more about SOS, visit www.soswomensfund.org or call (314) 880-4968.