Dear friends, neighbors, and colleagues:

Many of us “give” because it feels good, it is the “right” thing to do, or we are simply asked. What we have found at the St. Louis Community Foundation, however, is that the act of giving – or philanthropy – can be so much more. 

It can be joyful, contagiousand connect us. Giving enables us to come together to solve problems, support organizations that have made a difference in our lives, or even enable us to leave a lasting legacy for the community we love and call home – the St. Louis region. 

There is also the transformative impact philanthropy can have. Consider the Magic House, the renovation of the Gateway Arch grounds and museum, and St. Louis Youth Jobs, a program that offers career- and life-skills training for regional young people. All of these were donor-sponsored initiatives at the St. Louis Community Foundation. But this is not just about the Community Foundation. Take a moment to think about other efforts across the region spearheaded by generosity, vision and energy.

Transformation and community bridge-building – that’s what giving makes possible. That’s why the St. Louis Community Foundation powers Give STL Day, which enables everyone with $10 or more to be a philanthropist for a day and support organizations they know, those they would like to know, and a few they’ve just heard about. Give STL Day 2019 will be held from midnight to midnight on Wednesday, May 1. 

Whether it is through Give STL Day, our locally managed donor advised funds, foundation management services, or legacy-building efforts, our donors are community change agents. Collectively, they gave more than $80 million to nonprofits in 2017, with more than 85 percent of those funds remaining here in St. Louis. 

Consider joining us! 

-Amelia Bond