The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education
The Opportunity Trust is a St. Louis, Missouri-based public charity that supports efforts to improve public schools and expand access to quality education. It provides grants and other support to schools, educators, families, nonprofits, and community stakeholders, with its work focused on St. Louis and, through its charter-school program, Missouri statewide.
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education at a glance
In short: The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education gave $12.8M across 36 grants in 2025 (avg $356K), mostly in Missouri. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,802,662
- +115.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 36
- +28.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $355,630
- +67.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $156,750
- Total assets
- $4,041,644
- +1.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (13 of 36, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (87% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education
- How to Apply
-
The published School Improvement Funding process invited current grantees to apply and directed other interested school or district leaders to submit an interest form. The page does not provide a current application deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5501 Delmar Blvd Suite A300, St Louis, MO 63112
Phone: (314) 328-5688
Website: https://theopportunitytrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education
Charter School Program (CSP)
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education
Amount
Approximately $2,000,000 per award
Deadline
Deadline not published
School Improvement Grant
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
St. Louis Pre-K Cooperative
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Believe Schools ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $9.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
148 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 148 (39%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust’s website centers its work on St. Louis and describes its goal in terms of children attending quality public schools there. Its 2025 grants were concentrated in Missouri: the reported recipient-state shares were Missouri 87%, Indiana 12%, Texas 1%, and New York 1%. The Trust’s Charter School Program State Entity work covers charter schools across Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 36 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $162K; repeat grants $465K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $274K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.1M (2019) to $12.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 36 grants totaling $12.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Believe Schools Indianapolis, IN | New Schools | $1,488,050 |
| Gateway Science Academy of St Louis St. Louis, MO | Existing School Expansion | $1,307,077 |
| Kairos Academies St. Louis, MO | New Schools | $1,265,207 |
| The Leadership School Pagedale, MO | New Schools | $991,848 |
| St Louis Voices Academy St. Louis, MO | New Schools | $842,131 |
| Atlas Public Schools St. Louis, MO | New Schools | $819,270 |
| Friendly Academy Saint Louis, MO | New Schools | $746,607 |
| The Foundation for Barnes Jewish Hospital Saint Louis, MO | New Schools | $740,000 |
| Premier Charter School St. Louis, MO | Existing School Improvement | $714,750 |
| Bridge 2 Hope St. Louis, MO | Parent & Student Leadership | $650,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,041,644 | $21,580,942 | $21,538,891 | $12,802,662 | 36 | $262,196 |
| 2024 | $3,999,593 | $12,600,936 | $14,089,865 | $5,946,913 | 28 | $274,971 |
| 2023 | $5,488,522 | $14,021,553 | $12,750,091 | $5,117,675 | 34 | $63,945 |
| 2022 | $4,217,060 | $10,924,434 | $10,470,201 | $4,573,762 | 29 | $1,122 |
| 2021 | $4,127,437 | $7,977,207 | $7,497,157 | $3,347,760 | 21 | $1,410 |
| 2020 | $3,457,653 | $7,183,458 | $6,679,146 | $2,604,874 | 18 | $2,450 |
| 2019 | $3,574,188 | $6,344,779 | $4,131,930 | $2,055,250 | 14 | $844 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Opportunity Trust’s 2023 filing describes three strategic priorities: elevating the voices of families and students underserved by school systems; increasing access to high-quality schools by expanding successful schools, launching new ones, strengthening existing schools, and helping districts transform low-performing schools; and building an education ecosystem that supports improvement, innovation, and equity.
Its website describes investments in parent and student leadership, public-school development and improvement, educator recruitment and development, early literacy, and preschool access. School-improvement funding is aligned with five dimensions of school quality: child wellness and engagement; curriculum, instruction, and learning growth; adult wellness and development; family and community partnership; and effective and sustainable operations.
The organization’s grantees include public charter schools and education organizations. For example, Kairos Academies describes its mission as providing a free public education where students find their voice and shape their future; Friendly Academy says it equips students with a quality, holistic education rooted in love; and Premier Charter School says it provides a world-class elementary education for students in grades PK–8. The Opportunity Trust also supports family and student advocacy: grantee Activate STL describes itself as an advocacy nonprofit that educates, trains, and uplifts families and youth leaders across Missouri.
The Trust has also been awarded a $35.5 million U.S. Department of Education Charter School Program State Entity grant. Its website says it will administer a competitive, peer-reviewed subgrant program for new, expanding, and replicating charter schools across Missouri over five years.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Trust reported 36 grants totaling $12,802,662. Grants ranged from $5,500 to $1,488,050, with a median award of $156,750.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $1,488,050 to Believe Schools for new schools; $1,307,077 to Gateway Science Academy of St. Louis for existing-school expansion; $1,265,207 to Kairos Academies for new schools; $991,848 to The Leadership School for new schools; and $842,131 to St. Louis Voices Academy for new schools. Other large awards included $819,270 to Atlas Public Schools for new schools, $746,607 to Friendly Academy for new schools, $714,750 to Premier Charter School for existing-school improvement, and $650,000 to Bridge 2 Hope for parent and student leadership.
The Trust’s School Improvement Funding page described a 2025–26 application cycle for current grantees, with non-grantees directed to submit an interest form and await further information about applications. The stated application deadline was April 4, 2025, which has passed. The page describes proposal materials and partnership expectations, and lists coaching, professional development, improvement goals, operational support, and progress reviews as elements of grant support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Keith Williamson as chair; Bishop Michael Jones Sr., John Lemkemeier, John W. Kemper, Jessica Pena, Cindy Brinkley, and Jemina Bernard as directors; Eric Scroggins as chief executive officer; Jesse Dixon as partner; and Ayanna Banks as employee.
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education is led by Eric Scroggins, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2019; 7 of 14 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Eric Scroggins
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$304K (2019) → $428K (2025)
Keith Williamson
Chair
Director → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Pena
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Lemkemeier
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John W. Kemper
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bishop Michael Jones Sr.
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Brinkley
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jemina Bernard
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Dixon
Partner
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$170K (2022) → $221K (2025)
Rachel Donnice Powers
Partner
Employee → Partner, 2024
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$125K (2023) → $176K (2025)
Tanesia Lashay Simmons
Partner
Employee → Partner, 2024
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$167K (2023) → $174K (2025)
Antonio Pacifico
Employee
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$140K (2024) → $145K (2025)
Brandi Chin
Partner
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$193K (2024) → $196K (2025)
Ayanna Banks
Employee
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$137K (2025)
Former officers (8)
- Former: Tiara Sheree Jordan (2023–2024) — Employee
- Former: Amelia Corl (2024) — Employee
- Former: Todd R. Schnuck (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Anthony Thompson (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Adefioye (2023) — Director
- Former: Mia Howard (2021) — Key Employee
- Former: Marcus Robinson (2019–2020) — Key Employee
- Former: Michael Jones (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $428K, to Eric Scroggins (Chief Executive Officer). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education
How much does The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education give each year?
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education gave $12.8M across 36 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $5.9M across 28 grants.
What is The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education's typical grant size?
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education's median grant in 2025 was $156,750, and its average grant was $355,630, across 36 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education that year got $162K on average.
Where does The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education give grants?
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education gives mostly in Missouri: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Indiana (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (29 grants).
Does The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Existing School Improvement" (13 grants), "New Schools" (7 grants) and "Existing School Expansion" (4 grants).
Who are The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education's largest grantees?
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education's largest 2025 grantees include Believe Schools ($1,488,050), Gateway Science Academy of St Louis ($1,307,077) and Kairos Academies ($1,265,207), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education?
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education reported $4.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $21.6M.
What does The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education fund?
The Opportunity Trust’s 2023 filing describes three strategic priorities: elevating the voices of families and students underserved by school systems; increasing access to high-quality schools by expanding successful schools, launching new ones, strengthening existing schools, and helping districts transform low-performing schools; and building an education ecosystem that supports improvement, innovation, and equity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education?
The published School Improvement Funding process invited current grantees to apply and directed other interested school or district leaders to submit an interest form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education's EIN?
The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1838644. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 30, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-opportunity-trust-d-b-a-zest-education-morg_cc4abd3755a9424289ddcfdc4ea1bdde
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_821838644_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-opportunity-trust-d-b-a-zest-education-morg_cc4abd3755a9424289ddcfdc4ea1bdde},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Opportunity Trust D/B/a Zest Education's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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